First, in Ghana

Well, here I am, hot and sweaty (nice!) in a little internet cafe (ridiculously slow connection with keys on a keyboard that bear no resemblence to the symbol printed on them hence this may not make much snse but bear with me!), in ghana, west africa.
Arrived in Bongo, where mum and dad live, 2 days ago. Last week was spent in Accra, the capital city *typical busy, hot, dusty african city) and along the coast to a little village called Amomabo - amazing beaches; lots of soft white sand and turquoise sea lined with coconut trees...
On friday and saturday we travelled the 550km north east to the village of bango, a slow drive dur to poor roads and mad ghanaian drivers! I've since been well introduced to all the inhabitants of Bongo at a big celebration yesterday at which the father of a local girl, Joana, who my parents (and now I) are friends with, was made a 'sub chief' of the district (followed by much drumming and dancing). Everywhere I go I am told 'white girl you are welcome!).
Decided I need something to do on a weekday morning when my parents are at work so went to the local hospital (very poor - a tiny building with few facitiltie and only 3 trained doctors but with a huge number of patients queuing round the block all the time) to volunteer my serivces. When I told them I could do basic medical tasks that were similar to veterinary work (thinking bandaging and dispensing drugs) I was told I'd be most useful in the operating theatre and in the maternity wing at caesarians to suture up the woulds and dress them! Not quite the simple nursing jobs I was expecting but I'm sure it'll be quite an experience...
Will go now and probably spend half an hour waiting for this post to load! Apologies once again for mistakes but can't be bothered to read it over!
Hope eveyone is well.
Jen x

3 days to go!

Well, only 3 days until I leave the UK for a 10 month travelling adventure, and starting to get that butterfly feeling in my stomach!
Fly out to Ghana on Friday for the first leg of my trip. Staying with the parents who are out there doing voluntary work, will be great to see where they have been living for the last year and meet all the amazing people they have met out there and told me so much about.
Still have so much packing, planning and organising to do! So ... I'd better go and get on with it! Watch this space for all my exciting news from places faraway...
I shall miss you all xxx