Since the final 6 of us were not leaving until 11pm tonight, everyone moved their things into my/Ashley's room. The biggest attraction though was the toilet! When not in use, it would whistle! I swear it! And then when you would flush it, it would start off with this low rumble and crescendo to this REALLY loud, REALLY aggressive sounding growl! I swear, the exorcist is living in our bathroom! Probably doesn't help that all of our tummies are feel a bit raw this morning and we are using Senor toilet more frequently... maybe he's pissed off about the overuse?
After breakfast we all loaded into two taxi's with Nii and drove through downtown Accra to a Craft market by the sea. The business people in the market were fairly assertive and would call out to you "my sister, come over here, my sister, I have exactly what you want." And if you didn't listen to them, they would try to grab your arm and pull you into the stalls! I didn't mind though... it's all good! :) I ended up buying a purse, a drum, and a doll. On the way back from the market, there was some confusion about the leftover team funds and finding a money exchange... it all worked out in the end and was good practice for when I am a team leader!
Back at the hotel we ate lunch and then lounged around the pool. I had left my bathing suit back in KTK... my teammates convinced me to wear some undies and a tank top... it actually DID look like a tankini bathing suit! The weather was gorgeous outside and we all laid by the pool talking about the trip and processing all the things that happened. It was a beautiful moment and I felt really connected to everyone there.
(Ashley, Andrea and Hailey while waiting for the shuttle to the airport)We left for the airport @ 7:45pm and got there a little after 8pm. What a madhouse!!! First you had to stand in a line to get your luggage inspected, then you had to wait in line to get your passport put in the computer, then you had to wait in line to get your plane tickets, then you had to wait in line to get your passport checked again, then you had to wait in line at immigration, then you had to wait in line at the gate!!! While waiting in the first line, this woman came up and said "who is your leader?" We were really confused and she said "every group has a leader, who is it?" We said that our leader had gone home but that I could be the leader. She apparently was tired of dealing with us and said "I am only trying to help you" in this annoyed tone and moved onto the next group of white people. Turns out she works for customs and randomly picks people and she briefly screens their luggage and then they can skip the line! We were greatly regretting not understanding her :( Right before we got to the customs guy, this woman was yelling/arguing with the customs agent because a white man and an asian man had cut to the front of the line. She was indignant and enraged that these men were allowed to "cut." I guess this must happen often because there is a sign behind the officer that states "no verbal abuse or harrassment to customs agent or you will be denied boarding." NIIIIICEEE!!!! :)
Our flight left on time and although we tried to switch seats, it didn't work out. I took a Tyelenol PM though and slept for about 7 of the 11 hours!!! Upon landing in D.C. we were supposed to go through immigration, get our luggage, go through customs and then make it to our next flight in 1 1/2 hours. My luggage wasn't there! I swear, this is why I HATE checking luggage... I must have terrible luggage Karma because I never check luggage but when I do, it gets lost almost half the time!!! The guy at the desk was SERIOUSLY unhelpful and couldn't even tell me if it made it to D.C.. Good lord... if my luggage is still back in that crazy airport in Accra, I am NEVER going to get it! I barely made it out will all my limbs intact!!! BEcause it took so long waiting in line with Customer Service, I was nervous about missing my next flight... and I still had to go through customs AND security!!! Luckily I made it through and began the trek through the airport. It was nice though... the other 5 teammates had to get to their flights which were all boarding as well but Andrea, Betty AND Hailey all waited for me! First I saw Andrea and she ran up and said "My flight is boarding but I wanted to say good-bye to you" and she gave me a big hug! 3 gates down I hear someone call my name... Betty had waited to board so she could say good-bye. Hailey was waiting to say good-bye and give me a hug as well. I felt like a celebrity in the D.C. airport! :)
Ashley and I were on the same flight to Los Angeles and when we arrived I was elated to see my mom waiting there for me!! If nothing else, this trip really reminded me how grateful I am everyday that my loved ones are safe! Speaking of safe... my luggage decided to take a scenic route and was not @ LAX either. They had located it though and it was coming to LAX 5 hours later. United agreed to have it delivered within 6 hours... but that ended up being about 10 hours! I was NOT impressed!
First stop at home... shower!!! My mom went and got some In-n-Out for lunch and we sat around looking at my pictures and watching the videos. It was really nice to be home and I was feeling good!!! I was exhausted though and fell asleep @ 8:30pm.. luckily my mom stayed to wait up for my luggage. Love you mom!!! :) I slept 13 hours and awoke the next morning refreshed!
I have uploaded my pictures to picasa but am waiting on one teammember to upload hers because I know that she has some great pics as well (I will post the link here hopefully within the week). I hope you all have enjoyed my trip to Ghana and please come join me on my next adventure to India... if you are interested in donating to my India build... please check out my India blog at sheriinindia.blogspot.com I will also be posting there about all of my adventures so stay tuned!!! :)
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