Thursday, October 31, 2019 – Today is a slow relaxing day. I am returning to the Hans Cottage Resort Gift Shop today to shop for an outfit to wear to church on Sunday. I have been in Jukwa for two months and I promised Bro. George and Ce-Ce that I would attend one of their services before I leave. Well, that time has arrived.
Kwame and I are arriving at the Hans Cottage Gift Shop. I am not the typical woman shopper. If an item doesn’t jump out at me, I don’t have the patience to look around, pick up, put back and then come back to what I saw the first time. Thankfully, Kwame is with me because he knows fashion and how clothes are designed to fit the African woman (Queen). Well, I see a couple of outfits and the young lady who is the salesperson is of little help. My eyes hone in on a beautiful skirt and matching top, and as I am holding it, the young lady is saying to me, “too small for you”. Okay, I am putting it back on the rack. Kwame looks at the outfit and says, “No, no, that will fit you. African women don’t wear their dress clothes very loosely”. There is no fitting room, so I am saying, “Aww…. let me put in on, over top of my blouse”. WOW, it fits perfectly! The best thing is that it only cost 100 cedi, which is $18.11 in US dollars. This same outfit would cost me more than $100 in America currency. Nothing else need to be said, I am buying it and walking out of the shop. Another blessing!!
Friday, November 1, 2019 – I am returning to Cape Coast today to pick up two pants sets from the seamstress who insisted on taking my measurements last week, pay another visit to the Bead Shop and go to the bank to get the funds that have been donated to DKA. Also, I texted Ephious last night and asked if he could meetup with me today. He quickly accepted my invite.
Kwame and I are arriving in Cape Coast and we are making our first stop at the bank to withdraw the donated funds for DKA. Another Blog is forthcoming specifically on how the funds are being utilized to build a firm foundation for the equality of education globally. It will blow your minds when you see what can be done here with just one US dollar, which can forever change a child’s life.
We are now walking down the street toward the shop to pick up my outfits. Upon my arrival, the young lady is waiting on me. The outfits meet my approval. I have two pants set with head wraps to match and an extra pair of pants, that only cost me 140 cedi, which is $25.35 in US currency. Again, these outfits would cost me more than $140 in America. This price includes the material and labor.
Our next stop is the Bead Shop. Kwame noticed as we were passing by that the shop was closed. He calls the owner and she inform him that she had an emergency come up and was not in today. Oh well, this is Africa, so we just go with the flow and follow the process.
We are ahead of schedule for our time to meet up with Ephious. I am trying to contact him and there is no response. So, Kwame and I decided to return to the Baoboa Moringa Restaurant to pass time.
Ephious is texting us and informs us that he missed our texts previously. No problem. We are now meeting up at the Bead Shop were we originally agreed to meet. We decided to walk back to the Baoboa Moringa Restaurant. I really enjoy this place because it is a vegetarian restaurant and they have a drink that is out of sight. No alcohol, but it’s a blend of moringa, pineapple and ginger juices. Each one of those ingredients have significant nutritional value. Soooo.. delicious. Oh yes, at this restaurant, three people can sit down and eat a full course meal including a drink for less than a total of $15 US dollars.
As we are walking down the street in Cape Coast, it seems like everyone knows Ephious. Up and down the street, people are literally stopping him, speaking to him and wanting to carry on a conversation. He is so immersed into the community and culture. He is a young man after my own heart. I am so glad that fate made it possible for our paths to cross. In just a few minutes into our conversation, I am learning so much about the acceptance and warm welcome for diasporas returning to Ghana. Ephious is currently the Communications Officer for the African American Association Ghana (AAAG) and he also a board member. Spending this time with Ephious is another blessing and I am looking forward to continue building a life-long personal and professional friendship.
Kwame and I are now waiting on a taxi for our journey back to Jukwa. However, before our taxi ride, we are stopping at the market to pick up a few things.
Okay, we are now on the road heading back to Jukwa.
Saturday, November 3, 2019 – After visiting One Africa a few weeks ago, I really wanted to return before I leave the country in a couple weeks. So, today is that day. For a few hours of relaxation and to enjoy the sea breeze, Kwame, his sister Harriett and I are on our way to African One.
We are arriving on the grounds of One Africa. As we are walking across the yard toward the table where we have selected to sit for lunch, the breeze is blowing and the waves of the ocean are beating up against the rocks. We see the bright beautiful blue sky with the sun shining brightly over the ocean. It is so soothing and peaceful.
The waitress finished taking our order, and we are now walking to the shores of the ocean to meditate and absorb the beauty of this universe. We are having so much fun posing for pictures on the rocks and enjoying the serenity of being on the grounds of One Africa.
We are finishing up our delicious meal and now catching a taxi for a brief visit to the Elimina Castle to check out a few vendors where Ghanaian jewelry and artifacts are sold.
After stopping at the market to pick up a few items, we are on our way back to Jukwa.
Sunday, November 3, 2019 – My day is beginning this morning at 4:30 am. Why so early? Well, I am going to church with the Appiah-Kubi family and they are Catholics. Mass starts at 7:00 am and we all have to share one wash room. So, I am up early so I can get dressed and out of the way so the rest of the family will have access to the wash room. Furthermore, without very much practice, I don’t know how long it will take me to do my headwrap thing.
It is 6:00 am and I am dressed and now working on my head wrap! WOW, after a YouTube tutorial and with the assistance of Hilda last night, I got this! Well, I have learned how to wrap at least one style.
It’s 6:30 am and Bro. George says, “Queen I am ready”. As I am leaving my room, I see that Bro. George is all dressed up in his native Ghanaian formal wear that is called an Efie mmosian, and Cee-Cee also has on her beautiful Ghanaian dress. I can’t begin to express in words how proud I feel stepping out in my African attire and fitting in with my African family. The pride of being so connected to my roots is incredible.
We are walking out to the roadway; I am looking around and asking Bro. George will we be catching a taxi ride. He looks around to me and says, “Oh, we will walk”. Okayyy…. We begin walking down the road and I am seeing people walking to their respective places of worship in their Sunday’s best. Within a quarter of a mile, I see an Apostolic Church, Methodist Church and a Catholic Church. Again, I am having flashbacks of growing up in rural New Kent County and seeing folks walking to my home church, Union Baptist for Sunday worship regardless of the weather conditions, hot or cold.
After a few minutes of walking we are arriving at St. Edwards Catholic Church. I have never visited a Catholic church services before, so this is a first for me. As we enter the church, I am following the cues and directions from Bro. George. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.
The service is beginning. Everything is spoken in Twi. Although I am not understanding the language, there are commonalities that transcend any language. As we know, music is universal and crosses all boundaries of nationalities, race, color or creed. Oh my, they are singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” in English. I am definitely at home now.
We are leaving the service just prior to the close of service, because Bro. George want to take me to meet the Queen of the Denkyira State (Kingdom) – Nana Ama Ayensua Saarah III. He is a very close and a dear friend of the Queen. A cab is taking us to the Queen Palace. Upon our arrival we learn that she is in her new home that is walking distance from the Appiah-Kubi compound.
We are returning to the taxi that is waiting on us. George instructs the taxi driver to take us to the Queen’s residence.
We are arriving at the Queen’s home. We enter the gateway of the Queen’s estate. There are several workers on the grounds carrying out the various tasks required for the Queen’s comfort. Two vehicles are in the driveway, a new model Nissan SUV and a pickup truck. I see the chauffeurs for the Queen and her husband cleaning both vehicles. Cooks are in the backyard cooking.
Please note that under normal protocol, no one ever visit the Queen without a prior appointment to meet with her. The housekeepers come out to find out the purpose of our visit. Bro. George informs them that we are here to visit with the Queen. One housekeeper retreated back into the residence to let the Queen know that Bro. George and I are here to see her. She comes back outside to let us know that the Queen will meet with us. We patiently sit and wait until the Queen can meet with us. In the meantime, one of the housekeepers comes out to ask if we would like some water. Well, by this time, it’s getting rather hot, so water will taste very good at this moment. We responded, ‘yes’. We continue to sit and wait. After a few minutes of waiting, Bro. George was summoned to come inside to meet with the Queen, while I waited outside. After a few minutes, Bro. George return and informs me that the Queen will meet with us.
Approximately an hour has passed and the Queen come out to meet with us. She is a beautiful African woman and just her presence demands the respect of the title that she hold. It is indeed such an honor and privilege to be in the presence of Nana Saarah III. She is definitely a phenomenal and beautiful Queen of the Denkyira Kingdom. As I watch Bro. George speak with the Queen through the formal protocol, I am in awe. Bro. George stands before the Queen and ask for permission to speak. He explains to her that I was a quest in his home and he wanted to introduce me to her. She then directs Bro. George to take a seat. She apologizes for the delay in coming out to meet with us. She explains that the weekend has been very busy for her because of official duties in her role and there was also a death of a family member that consumed most of her time. She was really tired and was resting late this morning, so when we arrived, she got up to meet with us. I am feeling really special for the Queen to make such an effort to meet with me. Now, let me keep it real. I am not that special. I was honored with such privilege because of Bro. George’s respected status in the Jukwa Village and his relationship with the Queen. See, this is a prime example of, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. [lol]
After briefly meeting with the Queen, we are leaving to return home. We exit the gate and begin walking home. Meeting the Queen at her personal residence today was such an honor – another blessed moment to be remembered for a lifetime.
It is approximately 11:00 am and we are back home and chilling for the remainder of the day. However, Kwame, Bro. George and I are meeting to discuss the five-year strategic plan and the projected budget for DKA, and how the recently donated funds will be allocated to continue building a firm foundation for a quality education for DKA. Bro. George and I will be going to Cape Coast on tomorrow to purchase iron rods for the completion of a classroom. This classroom was started approximately three years ago and because of the lack of funds, it has not been completed. Stay tuned for an update on this project………….