Ama gets homework, mommy gets sick

Last weekend, to my surprise, Ama got her first ever homework assignment. As the teacher handed the letters and numbers that Ama was to color and recite, I suppressed my desire to laugh. Homework? She's 2! I was a bad mom, and we didn't do it. However, we dug it out this week, and she had a blast coloring it.




Unfortunately my cold turned into much more than a cold. On Wednesday night I felt much much worse with aches and fever, and by Thursday I was so useless that I took a taxi to drop Ama at school. The people at the Guesthouse convinced me to see a doctor when I emerged from my room wearing a jacket in 35 degree weather. They were right!

A very nice American man who is staying here sent me with his car and driver
to the clinic nearby, where the nurse interviewed me about my symptoms and then sent me into a tiny lab where I was tested for malaria. The 3 men in a room where only 1 could move comfortably were trying to joke with me but I didn't find them very funny! Personal space doesn't even exist in the lab in Ghana!

After coming out of the lab, the pharmacist yelled for me, and shoved some meds at me, 2 pills and a mystery liquid of milky consistency. When I asked what it was for, she barked "Doctors orders" and demanded I take it right there. I was in no position to argue so I obliged. The fact that I was questioning her seemed offensive. I guess here you just blindly take (and pay for) what they give you!

I was then sent to a room to lay down, where I must have spent 2 hours-I think they forgot about me. When I finally got the energy to get off of the bed and find out what was going on I was on fire, so I asked the nurse to check my temp-it had gone up 3 degrees in 3 hours! Some man in the waiting room who had been staring at me during my time in the waiting room tried to make conversation by saying "you look hot." Yeah, thanks.

I realized that they don't call your name, they just ring a bell and you're supposed to magically know it's your turn, presumably by which chair your in. If you don't immediately jump up and go in the office, even before the other person has come out, someone will bud in front of you. Thanks for letting me know 3 hours later guys...

When I finally saw the doctor I was informed that I did not have malaria but did have an infection, probably from eating questionable food, and should take cipro. After leaving her office, the pharmacist called me over again, and handed me a pile of meds, which I have no clue what most are! I will not be taking most of it, other than the cipro I brought from home. I did however take the cough syrup one night-bright green, made in India. Yum.

Apparently Ghanaians judge the quality of care they receive at the doctor by the amount of drugs they receive, which would explain the vast quantity of medication I was given. People frequently ask "did you get an injection?" if you have visited the clinic. Very interesting...

Luckily Ama was quite good when I picked her up from school after my excursion at the doctors, and I was able to manage. I am now almost back to normal!




On Friday I dragged myself to immigration to renew my visa, which was a long, complicated, and expensive process that resulted in me not having our passports until March 18th! Note to travelers: Get a multiple entry visa and go to Togo and back ever 60 days. Cheaper and less complicated!

After our trip to immigration, Ama played with Kwesi the gardener, who taught her the not so wonderful habit of picking flowers. I was inside trying to not rest and recover, and decided to check on her. I came around the corner and she goes: "Mommy! I have flowers! They're Butiful!" We have created a flower picking monster-I accept no blame!

Saturday saw our regular trip to the pool, but this time we were accompanied by the neighbors, a refreshing change, especially given my lack of energy. Upon our return, Ama played and played with Pearl, one of the cooks, children. This was wonderful since it kept her busy and she had fun. It's interesting how she is starting to play with kids instead of just near them. They passed the ball back and forth, chased the "baby kitty," picked flowers, and briefly played on the not so safe climbing structure (to which I quickly put an end). I could hear squeals of laughter for at least 2 hours. It was great!








This week will consist of school number 2 of the pilot, as well as me catching up on all the work I didn't do last week! We are also going to visit "Grandma" tomorrow, should be fun!