The last three days have felt like 6 months. I'm biz-ackk! I had the best time in Ghana. I wish I were still there or was able to bottle up all the good moments/air/water/sand/red clay.
The other night I was talking about my experiences at the Elmina Slave Castle, and would you believe it... I started to cry (again). I'm still so overwhelmed with my experiences at that particular slave castle. I feel compelled to share with you all one of the lessons I learned while in Ghana: "Life Goes On". Yup. The biggest cliche. While I was bawling my eyes out, doubled over in grief at the castle in Elmina, I went to the top of the castle, looked out into the Atlantic and was struck by its beauty. The juxtaposition of beauty and pain/sorrow and the vastness of the ocean was startling. I saw men playing soccer on the beach, boats being made, folks fishing on the Atlantic. Once I turned around and faced my group, looked into their tear-filled faces, looked and fully understood that we have all been touched by slavery, I said "life goes on". Someone somewhere in my lineage survived slavery in the Caribbean and South America. Each and every one of us had a someone who survived thus allowing us to live.
It was deep. I'm not going to lie. Being comforted by strangers was foreign to me... but I allowed it and am better for it. I hope I was as comforting to those who needed it.
All in all, I was a hot caca mess at the Elmina Slave Castle but I wouldn't trade that experience with those people for anything (less than 7 million bucks).
Peace
Oh and the pics are on facebook. Once I figure out how to link blogger with those pics, they will be posted here.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Three Weeks To Go
I can't believe time has flown so quickly. "It was all a dream..." 6 months ago. I'm a little over 3 weeks away from my trip to Ghana. So much has happened and there is so much left to do.
Today, I had my yellow fever vaccination. It was my first vaccination of my adult life. I'm seriously debating getting the anti-malaria pills. I was born with sickle cell trait SO that should protect me but...what if I don't actually have the trait and have been under some delusion of malaria safety. But I keep having dreams that I have forgotten something. I had a dream that I forgot to get the vaccination or that I left my passport home. I need to start organizing my life a bit better so that I can at least stop having these nightmares that plague on my lack of preparation.
Wow, three weeks... This is kinda heavy for me. I'm going to be in Elmina Slave Castle. I'm going to be where hundreds of thousands of people passed through. That's some heavy realization. As the days get closer to the trip date, I feel more and more emotional. My ancestors left Africa in chains, forced to endure the Middle Passage, continual trade, rape, killing... And some how survived. Here I am, making the trip back to the continent, in freedom with a kindle, ipod, and on a plane.
I feel as though I'm prepared physically. I got my vaccination, I know what I want to pack, I know how much money I'll be carrying, etc. But emotionally, I think I'll be a mess.
As always, I feel extremely blessed to have all of your support in reading, writing me on FB and twitter about the trip, helping with funding, and just general good wishes toward this experience. It means a lot to have this kind of support.
Peace,
the black star pilgrim J
Today, I had my yellow fever vaccination. It was my first vaccination of my adult life. I'm seriously debating getting the anti-malaria pills. I was born with sickle cell trait SO that should protect me but...what if I don't actually have the trait and have been under some delusion of malaria safety. But I keep having dreams that I have forgotten something. I had a dream that I forgot to get the vaccination or that I left my passport home. I need to start organizing my life a bit better so that I can at least stop having these nightmares that plague on my lack of preparation.
Wow, three weeks... This is kinda heavy for me. I'm going to be in Elmina Slave Castle. I'm going to be where hundreds of thousands of people passed through. That's some heavy realization. As the days get closer to the trip date, I feel more and more emotional. My ancestors left Africa in chains, forced to endure the Middle Passage, continual trade, rape, killing... And some how survived. Here I am, making the trip back to the continent, in freedom with a kindle, ipod, and on a plane.
I feel as though I'm prepared physically. I got my vaccination, I know what I want to pack, I know how much money I'll be carrying, etc. But emotionally, I think I'll be a mess.
As always, I feel extremely blessed to have all of your support in reading, writing me on FB and twitter about the trip, helping with funding, and just general good wishes toward this experience. It means a lot to have this kind of support.
Peace,
the black star pilgrim J
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Orientation and updates
I know I haven't updated in a while-- as usual things have been busy.
The MoCADA is hosting an orientation today in Ft. Greene. Here's a synopsis of what we'll do (incl. the garden party):
"...At this orientation, we will be advising you on how to go about getting your necessary visa and immunizations. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to inquire about travel questions you may have. As a part of the evening, Dr. Leonard Jeffries as well as Professor Smalls, two incredible professors who specialize in Africana Studies, will speak to the group about their extensive knowledge in Ghanaian culture and history. The orientation will begin at 6 p.m. Afterward, we will host a garden party where guest can experience Ghanian food and music. The Garden Party, which will begin at 8 p.m. is open to the public."
I'm geeked! I know about the visa and immunizations but I'd love to speak with Professor Jeffries and Smalls about their experiences, what to expect. I'm more excited about meeting other Black Star Pilgrims.
I'm all smiles.
The MoCADA is hosting an orientation today in Ft. Greene. Here's a synopsis of what we'll do (incl. the garden party):
"...At this orientation, we will be advising you on how to go about getting your necessary visa and immunizations. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to inquire about travel questions you may have. As a part of the evening, Dr. Leonard Jeffries as well as Professor Smalls, two incredible professors who specialize in Africana Studies, will speak to the group about their extensive knowledge in Ghanaian culture and history. The orientation will begin at 6 p.m. Afterward, we will host a garden party where guest can experience Ghanian food and music. The Garden Party, which will begin at 8 p.m. is open to the public."
I'm geeked! I know about the visa and immunizations but I'd love to speak with Professor Jeffries and Smalls about their experiences, what to expect. I'm more excited about meeting other Black Star Pilgrims.
I'm all smiles.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Many Thanks!!
As you all know, I like to appreciate my friends who donate for me to go to Ghana. On July 12, I have to make my final payment to go! As you also know, I'm super excited for the opportunity and thankful to all my friends who support this. So let's start:
To my friend Sweet Goodness, thank you for your contribution. Through our many gchat conversations about the trip, I know you're just as excited for me. Who would have known that we'd stay in touch for this long? We've grown from our days of saying "EWWW" to each other in Whitney Hall (Shout out to Dickinson Community!!!). I'm so proud of your accomplishments and happy to call you my friend.
To my favorite big head, 1. I love you. I always have. You have such a good heart. You've always been warm person. I've known you since HS so you know I'm authority on this. 2. You're a Cancer and I'm an Aries. Some how we've made that work out well for us. Thank you for supporting me in more ways than just this trip. You know how you've helped me and I'm eternally grateful. One day, I'll repay you for it all.
For all my other supporters, J got nothin' but love for ya!
To my friend Sweet Goodness, thank you for your contribution. Through our many gchat conversations about the trip, I know you're just as excited for me. Who would have known that we'd stay in touch for this long? We've grown from our days of saying "EWWW" to each other in Whitney Hall (Shout out to Dickinson Community!!!). I'm so proud of your accomplishments and happy to call you my friend.
To my favorite big head, 1. I love you. I always have. You have such a good heart. You've always been warm person. I've known you since HS so you know I'm authority on this. 2. You're a Cancer and I'm an Aries. Some how we've made that work out well for us. Thank you for supporting me in more ways than just this trip. You know how you've helped me and I'm eternally grateful. One day, I'll repay you for it all.
For all my other supporters, J got nothin' but love for ya!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
One more thing...
If you still want to donate, there is still some time left!!!! I'm taking down the PayPal on July 1st (yup next week) because the time has come for me to pay up.... If you want to donate, click the link on your right by July 1st, 2011!! ---->
Peace,
J
Peace,
J
Oh and Happy Father's Day to my Dad!
Time is ticking...
Time is FLYING by! A few months ago, I created this blog to keep my friends and family in the loop as I prepare for my trip to Ghana, to fundraise (I'm eternally grateful to all), and to get my head together.
As much as I'm excited about going, I'm a little anxious. Of course I'm anxious about funding the trip, but I'm even more anxious about the days before departure. As you know, this will be my first time leaving the continent. Yes, that's a huge step for me. But as I spoke to my grandfather on Sunday (Father's Day), I realized I am going to be the first one in my family (that we know of) to actually go to Africa. My family has traveled the world looking for a new home, for work, and for leisure... but no one has ever gone to the continent. My grandmother worked in Russia for a while. My dad visited Germany. My mother loves Mexico. My great grandfather was born in Barbados and moved to Guyana. And almost everyone has emigrated to the United States and Canada... but Africa has remained elusive.
I'm actually really excited to share the news of my trip, to share pictures, and stories. I'm doing something that has yet to be done in my family. I don't mean to brag, but I'm a trailblazer in my own right.
Trivial List of things I need to Get before going:
As much as I'm excited about going, I'm a little anxious. Of course I'm anxious about funding the trip, but I'm even more anxious about the days before departure. As you know, this will be my first time leaving the continent. Yes, that's a huge step for me. But as I spoke to my grandfather on Sunday (Father's Day), I realized I am going to be the first one in my family (that we know of) to actually go to Africa. My family has traveled the world looking for a new home, for work, and for leisure... but no one has ever gone to the continent. My grandmother worked in Russia for a while. My dad visited Germany. My mother loves Mexico. My great grandfather was born in Barbados and moved to Guyana. And almost everyone has emigrated to the United States and Canada... but Africa has remained elusive.
I'm actually really excited to share the news of my trip, to share pictures, and stories. I'm doing something that has yet to be done in my family. I don't mean to brag, but I'm a trailblazer in my own right.
Trivial List of things I need to Get before going:
- sleeping aid for the plane ride
- Gilmore Girls Season 3 and 4
- New digital camera
- More books for my kindle
- 2 pairs of converses
- Visa
- Shots/Check-Up
- MONEY
- Hugs from my fam!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Ghana... Guyana... I guess it's the same
A few years ago I was in Ithaca, NY at a local gemologist store. I was having a heated discussion with my then- significant other. When I mean heated, I actually mean ridiculous. He and I used to go back and forth about who's heritage is cooler- Jamaicans (his) or Guyanese (mine). That conversation was years old and was just one of the things we joked about when bored. No complaints about Ithaca but we were bored.
The gemologist overheard us and decided to join in. My then-S/O asked him, "what valuable gems can one find in Guyana?" The gemologist smiled at him and said, "I think you mean Ghhhaaaaa-na (with emphasis)." S/O and I looked at him... looked at each other. S/O laughs at me while I explain Guyana is small country in South America with a rich gold supply whereas Ghana is a country in West Africa. The gemologist admitted his failings and backed away.
Recently, I told someone I was going to Ghana and was super geeked. Do you know what they said to me? "Isn't your family FROM Ghana? Whatchu need to go back for?" To that I laughed out loud. A guffaw... My family is from Guyana... South America, y'all!
THIS HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME. I imagine it will only intensify after I've actually been to Ghana and not Guyana.
I plan to go to Guyana in Dec 2012 (better late than never) (and hopefully before the 12/21.. i kid!)
Again, thanks for all of your help. I'm over $400 towards the ultimate goal. Send to friends. Send to family.
Send me to Ghana!
The gemologist overheard us and decided to join in. My then-S/O asked him, "what valuable gems can one find in Guyana?" The gemologist smiled at him and said, "I think you mean Ghhhaaaaa-na (with emphasis)." S/O and I looked at him... looked at each other. S/O laughs at me while I explain Guyana is small country in South America with a rich gold supply whereas Ghana is a country in West Africa. The gemologist admitted his failings and backed away.
Recently, I told someone I was going to Ghana and was super geeked. Do you know what they said to me? "Isn't your family FROM Ghana? Whatchu need to go back for?" To that I laughed out loud. A guffaw... My family is from Guyana... South America, y'all!
THIS HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME. I imagine it will only intensify after I've actually been to Ghana and not Guyana.
I plan to go to Guyana in Dec 2012 (better late than never) (and hopefully before the 12/21.. i kid!)
Again, thanks for all of your help. I'm over $400 towards the ultimate goal. Send to friends. Send to family.
Send me to Ghana!
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