Waiting in Winnipeg

So it is T-10 days before I head off on my african adventure.  After finishing up with all things school related (well almost... it never seems to end), I have spent this week being rather unproductive, aside from the occasional not so thrifty shopping trip to pick up all that I am lacking for my African Adventure.  I'd like to say that I will be more prepared than some of my fellow classmates who ended up packing the day of departure, however, in all honesty I'll probably end up doing the same.  At least this time I've found my passport!!!

So it is now T-6 hours before my flight leaves for Minneapolis, and what a surprise... I still have some things to pick up for my trip (although I have to wait 'til the stores open to actually get them).  In the 10 days since my last post, not much has happened... except for the lack of hair on my head now.  I told the hairdresser to only take of 11 inches... but it ended up being a little more than that.  But oh well, it was for a good cause, and I think I'll be thankful for the short hair once I spend a few days in the African heat.

So I guess it would be wise to explain what I'm actually going to be doing in Africa.  While in Ghana I will be working on 2 medical placements.  The first month I will be working in Mampong in the Akuapem Hills at the Tetteh Quarshire Memorial Hospital.  It's in a rural area, so it will probably be a much different experience than working in a hospital in the capital.  I will probably be working with either the Public Health Unit, or in Peds, but I need more information about the programs there before I decide.  I tried to obtain this information before I left, but that ended up being an utter failure, which makes me think that Ghanaian Time is quite similar to Dominican Time.  So I guess I'll find out all of this stuff once I actually arrive at the hospital.  My second placement in at the Trust Hospital in Accra, the capital.  While there, I will be doing a general surgery exposure.  I was originally placed at a different hospital, but I was moved because I was told that the Trust Hospital will better suit my surgical interests.  However, because only my medical placement was switched and not my host family, I now will have an 1 hour Tro-Tro ride through the city to get to work each day.  Although I won't enjoy getting up earlier for work (as I am not a morning person) it'll be very interesting to ride with local Ghanaians everyday.  

As for where I'll be living, as I mentioned earlier, I'll be staying with host families while in Ghana.  Each family can take up to 4 students at a time, although I don't know how many people will be living there while I'm there.  I have however, met another student that I will be staying with while in Mampong.  Her name is Emma, she is 19 and from the UK.  She has already been in Ghana for 2 months and has another 2.5 to go.  It'll be nice living with someone who has already spent quite a bit of time in the country, as hopefully she'll be able to show me the ropes.  But that is about all I know for the moment.  I'll fill everyone in on everything once I am actually there, and actually know what I'm doing... hopefully.

lc