Saturday, July 23

We are on the road again and headed to Cape Coast from Sewdru, where we visited four homes, dropping of supplies at each. We started off bright and early and meandered toward the bus. Our duffels in hand, we tied the bags to the roof, with colorful string. However, we had to make a quick pit stop to buy rice for the next couple of children’s homes we were going to visit. The bags were stacked tall and neat. Every brand had a different color and logos then the next. They were so high it looked like it was never ending. We put the three bags of rice we bought along the aisles of the bus presenting the task of maneuvering over each to get to your seat. On the road we talked and chatted with Jill Lipsky who enthralled us with her stories of her ever-present generosity, always having snacks to share on the long bus rides. John Moritz told us in detail about the culture of Africa, including stories about Fetish priests, Anacondas, and traditional Ghanaian rituals.

When we arrived at the Kakum National Park, we were lucky enough to get a tour of the park as well as the chance to walk through the canopy walkway. Our guide led us up a steep hill, along with steeps that were high and wide. The forest was so rich in color and smells that it left us breathless. Every now and then the guide would stop and give us some detail about the forest. At one point he talked about how the forest is like “a pharmacy and a supermarket in one”. He allowed some of us to touch the sap off the incest tree, which smelled like lavender. He then showed us the leaves of another tree that is used to cure skin diseases. He also gave us some more information about the carpenter’s glue that is found in huge roots, which is used in many households everywhere. We then made the daunting task of walking along seven canopy walkways, each one presenting us with a different view. Mrs. Keller-Coffy and love led the way followed by Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Hardy and the eight of us.

The slave castle was our next destination.

We are sorry to cut this short… we will write more about this later! We are off to the baby home- an orphanage three hours away that burned down a few weeks ago. We hope we get to hold and love the babies!

Love, Olivia and Elena