The journey is half the adventure

A personal update from Ghana

As many who live in the city know, it can be nice to get away. We spent our first weekend in Ghana by heading out of the ever busy city of Accra in search of a beach and a beverage.

A group of us headed to the city centre to find a bus, car or tro-tro that could take us to our chosen destination - Estuary Beach Club at Ada Foah. When we arrived to an African style bus terminal, we were blown away by the organized madness. There were hundreds of vehicles, driving in every direction, men yelling here, women selling there. From a first-timers eye, it almost impossible to figure out even what direction you were facing let alone which vehicle was heading where. The locals, however, navigated around like it was nobody's business.

After attempting to locate signs, time tables or travel information, we finally accepted the guidance of one of the many local drivers who had been nagging and gabbing at our arms to give us a ride. We followed the driver to his car and negotiated a price. For 15 cedis each he would take us all the way to Ada Foah, which is located about 2 hours east of the city of Accra.

Once arriving in Ada Foah, we laid eyes on a busy street market. Similar to those in Accra, locals were selling items of all sorts - garments, tools, fresh fruit, burnt Cds, shoes and more. As we weren't in the mood for spending money we continued on to the beach side, and for an additional five cedis each we were driven directly to where we would catch a boat to the beachfront where we would be staying at Estuary Beach Club - where the Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

As we grabbed our bags and exited the car, we decided to purchase some water to quench our thirst. As we did, we saw what is called a “chop bar” located beside the store, and thought 'Hey, what better way then with an ice cold beer!' Surely enough, it seems no matter where you are in the world, there is always cold beer.

We decided to be adventurous and try a taste at the chop bar, which is a small family run road side eatery. It's nothing fancy, usually extremely cheap and only has one dish on the menu. Today's choice: fufu in soup with meat. Fufu is a dough like substance made from pounding cassava while adding water.

Cheryl, friend and jhr intern, decided to give it a go, which the locals found quite entertaining. We made friends with one of the children as well as the owner, George. Once our meals arrived - feeling not as bold as we did when ordering - gave it a shot.

It was a ball of fufu, a piece of goat (chicken for Megan), covered in a soupy-like liquid. They provided us with a bowl of water to wash our hands and we were instructed to dig in – using our hands as utensils and the fufu to absorb the soup.

The only word to describe it was SPICY. By far one of the spiciest things ever – ever, ever!

We did our best, but unfortunately were not champions. We were unable to empty our dishes, which can be found as quite disrespectful (although clearly not our intention). We explained to the cooks how wonderful a meal it was, but that we filled up fast and, as newcomers, we were not quite used to the strength of the pepe (spice).

The chop bar had won.

We finished our beverages and followed George to the waterfront, where he said we would ride on a small boat, to a bigger boat, which would take us to our final location. As we set off we noticed we were heading towards a dredger ship, which was clearly not the boat that would be taking us anywhere.

As we climbed aboard we were introduced to two friendly Lebanese men who had been working on the dredger for the past seven months and would continue to for numerous months more. Staying vigilant, as always, we accessed the situations and agreed it was safe to stay. We discussed their work, past travel experience and opinions on Ghana.

Soon enough we decided it was time to go, as the sun sets early in Ghana, often as early as 6:30pm, and we wanted to be off the water well before then. We climbed off the dredger and headed towards the beach where we would be staying.

We pulled up and were greeted by a group of our local friends and jhr trainers. We ordered a delicious plate of chicken and rice - the everyday meal staple of Ghana - and enjoyed the sounds of the waves the bongos, the smell of the fresh air and cooked fish, and the company of good people.

Estuary Beach Club was breathtaking. We were surrounded by water and entertained with routines of local dance and music by the campfire.

As always, morning came to soon and it was time to go.

Which is an adventurous tale for another time :)

Ghana jhr crew at the chop bar in Ada Foah.

Owner of chop bar, George and friend.

Cheryl gives the fufu process a try.

The final product: lunch at the chop bar.

Myself and George on the boat to Estuary Beach Club.

Waterfront at Ada Foah.

Estuary Beach Club.

Our first week in Ghana and what a week it was!

July 7, 2011

Until I arrived, it was difficult for me to imagine what my time in Ghana would be like.

What did Accra look like, sound like, smell like? Were the people friendly, was the city dark and dangerous? How should I dress, where do I go, how do I get there? What would we eat and how was the night life?

These of course, were all concerns in relevance to my personal life here in Ghana as opposed to my professional life and work load, we will have time to get into that later.

Since arriving only a week ago a lot of these concerns have been answered and any anxieties associated with them have calmed.

As mentioned in the previous blog, the traffic here in Accra is hectic. It was also the first thing I found completely mind boggling. The city is loud, very loud and all the time. There is a high level of pollution and each night I clean out my nose – thoroughly. The streets smell of exhaust and fire stoves and although lined with garbage, what I will remember most of Ghana is the beauty of the people. Pleasant and easily approachable, the locals value relationships and spend a lot of time communicating with one another. They do not hold back and verbal exchanges of agreement and/or frustration are openly expressed, and loudly. Many people will stop you to talk and I can't count how many times I have been asked, “can we be friends.” When unsure of where to go, as most streets do not have road signs and often people don't remember them anyhow, locals are always willing to guide you in the right direction. Even if the best they can go is insist on “ you go straight, straight,” they do their best and in many ways are right. For a short period of time, we must always walk straight.

On a personal note, we have spent the last week running in and out of appointments. We have met with the previous jhr interns and have been introduced to staff and students at the African University College of Communications (where I will be working with my colleague from Global News, Cheryl Oates), the reporters and news editorial staff at The Daily Guide (a private daily newspaper where Paul Carlucci, a Canadian colleague who worked in magazine and news writing, will be working), as well as staff from two local radio stations Joy FM and Citi FM. We have had the privilege of meeting staff at the UNHCR and staff of the non-profit organization The Peoples Dialogue. Both which are locally based international non-profit organizations working on poverty reduction and human rights issues within Accra.

Some of the week has been a blur – but we are coming around nicely. We have been meeting many interesting personalities, both in our placements and out and I am extremely looking forward to beginning work at the AUCC on Monday.

Tomorrow we hope to be moving out of the Kokomlemle Guest House, which has been amazing and is where we have been staying since our arrival, and into the house in which we will be staying for the remainder of our time in Accra.

View from our Guest House in Kokomlemle

View of average, everyday traffic from our cab window in central Accra

Garbage surrounding a stream heading through the city

Canada Day at the Canada High Commissions Office

July 1, 2011

Just because we weren't in Canada didn't mean we weren't going to celebrate Canada Day.

Every first Thursday of the month the Canada High Commissions Office hosts an international get together, geared towards introducing expats from around the world and welcome them into the community. The July gathering was dedicated in honour of Canada's birth.

The Commissions office hosted a BBQ with Canadian beats and trivia. The property was great with a roofed patio, indoor bar and outdoor swimming pool. They had paper boat races and it was an opportunity for us to meet fellow Canadians working in Ghana.

As friends and family celebrated the festivities at home, we raised our glasses in Accra and gave thanks to our homeland from afar.

Cheryl and Michelle - celebrating Canada Day, eh!

Megan and Paul - Happy Canada Day from Ghana.

Spending my birthday in Ghana!

June 29, 2011

One thing I must insist on highlighting is the way in which we celebrated two extremely important events; the days of birth for both myself and Canada.
The day we arrived in Ghana was June 29th, also my 23rd birthday. At first we were quite tired after a long term of travel and were not going to plan anything spectacular, especially since we had just arrived and were unaware of where to go.

Lucky for us we ran into former jhr intern and current freelancer with the Toronto Star Jessica McDiarmid, who was very familiar with Accra and was willing to show us the ropes. We made our way to Tawala, a beach side bar with straw tiki huts and tables in the sand. Every Wednesday is Reggae night and so the place was surrounded with the beats of musical heroes such as Bob Marley and Lee Perry. We drank Ghanaian beer and watched the locals gather around campfires made on the ocean's sand.

As the evening passed we were introduced to the local gin in celebration of the festivities. Although quite tasty, many compare it to a state of petrol.. let's just say it can be a little potent. Our crowd had grown and more locals had joined us, a good friend and jhr colleague Megan Ainscow, who will be travelling north of Accra to the city of Tamale to work at Diamond FM radio, thought it would be a great idea to restate the fact that it was my birthday. As I was sitting down a Ghanaian named Thomas reached across the table, for what I thought, was to cheers. To my surprise, beer started tipping out of his glass and onto my lap. Small at first, then a little more, and then a bit in my hair... Silly me, I thought he was simply intoxicated and failing at a toast so I stood up to help steady his glass. This is when the remaining content fell directly over my head and soaked my entire upper body. As the local crowd cheered and clapped, I saw the jaws of the interns drop and heard, “Thomas, no!! She's new!”

This is when I learned the local birthday ritual of pouring any liquid content over the head of the birthday girl or boy. Soaked and sticky, I still laughed. It was an interesting welcome to Ghana.

As the night continued the music got louder and the crowd grew larger. The tide moved in and began grabbing at our feet and the legs of our tables and chairs. Before we knew it we were dancing with our feet in the Ocean. It was a fantastic birthday celebration and great first impression of what the next six months in Accra hold in store.

Cheryl, Michelle and Megan. New jhr interns in Ghana.

Aftermath of being covered in beer. Sticky but smiling.

Celebrating my 23rd birthday with new friends at Tawala Beach, Accra, Ghana.

We've made it!

After a week long of training, over 20 hours of travel and 5,000 miles we have reached what will be our home for the next 6 months in Accra, Ghana.

Accra is one of Africa's most democratic and modernly advanced countries. With an estimated population of 3,963,264 in 2011 with an estimate of an additional 3 million extending into the shanti communities surrounding the city center. Accra is internationally recognized as a leader of it's continent and was the first African country to gain independence in 1957 and was rpeviously known as the Gold Coast under the ruling of the United Kingdom.

As a first timer in Ghana, or Africa for that matter, stepping off the plane and being driven through the chaotic city streets of Accra was fast, exhilarating and chaotic. All of the streets are connected by one main road called the Ring Road and the traffic that builds here is unreal! There are next to no working street lights and the roads are rarely patrolled by police or law enforcements for safety purposes. It is not uncommon to be cut off, nearly sideswiped or approached by beggars and street vendors knocking on your window. From your vehicle window you can purchase anything from CD's, newspapers and soda to belts, posters and cell phones. Children ride in the front, the back and on laps without seat belts or car seats and there is no regulated emissions test furthering the extent of pollution.

Here in Accra the vehicles always have the right away, so pedestrians look out! African nations have the world's highest road traffic injury mortality rates in the world and traffic related accidents are one of the largest causes of injury related mortality in Ghana with 29.6 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Between watching for oncoming cars, potholes and open sewers and persistent street vendors, commuting through town can be a journey all of its own. With the consideration of these facts and many more, it is true what they say, everything in Ghana takes at least three times what it would back at home.

As previously mentioned, the city streets are filled with vendors and panhandlers. This serves as a main source of income for many families and is a large portion of the informal market and lower class economy. You can buy anything from jewellery, clothing, shoes, street food to electronics and more (especially cell phones and TONS of them!). We purchased our phones from a business who partners with a company in the UK and receives ship loads of used cell phones and resells them. This is a huge industry within Accra and throughout Ghana and is a useful way of recycling cellphones. Often many people have numerous phones as some service providers can be more or less accommodating based on your location. It is also extremely common to exchange digits, even with first time strangers and on average you may be asked a minimum of 5 to 10 times.

Strangers may also declare their love to you in the streets and ask you to wed. The requests are usually harmless and can be veered with a simple, “no thank you,” “next time,” or “my husband wouldn't like that.” But don't hesitate to be stern and assertive if your new friend is not getting the point.

The nightlife in the city is one which flourishes with energy. The music industry is quite active with local artists often taking the stage to perform. All music can be found depending on your taste and within the three nights we have been here we have danced with our feet in the Atlantic Ocean listening to Raggae music at a beach bar, jammed to the Bare Naked Ladies at the
Canada Day Celebration held by the Canada High Commissions Office and sipped wine while enjoying the sounds of local jazz and the most bad ass clarinet player I've ever heard!

Needless to say, Accra is full of life. Although it will take some getting used to and I will face many challenges along the way, I have no doubt I will adapt quickly and love it. My time here has just begun and I look forward to the adventures each day in Ghana will bring me.

My journey has just begun.


Please Note: Photos to come

Yet again...it's time for pre-departure!

With a little less than a week to go before heading to Accra, Ghana for six months with Toronto based media-development organization Journalists for Human Rights, pre-departure preparations are wrapping up!

As when planning for any international travel, there are absolutes that must be taken care of. Some which may seem obvious and some which may be not so obvious. Once decided on the destination I like to arrange my preparation requirements into categories, it helps keeps me organized and focused!

To Do:

Travel Arrangements/Flight bookings/Accommodations

Visa/Travel Documents

Travel Doctor/Vaccinations and Medications

Travel/Health Insurance

Packing/What to bring

Personal - Where am I at? what do I expect?

Travel Arrangements/Flight bookings/Accommodations
With a consistently increasing interest in travel there are many options as to where to stay, who to fly with, when to go and so on. Check in with numerous travel agents and consult with friends and family who have travelled to the location in which you are heading to make sure you are arranging a trip that works best for your needs. Remember, everyone has a different opinion on what is 'absolutely the best' so make sure you ask a lot of questions to guarantee your satisfaction.

When finalizing your travel arrangements make sure to shop around for best prices and services. Secure exact dates and times and keep an accessible record of all travel contracts and documents (having an electronic copy in your email account eliminates the risk of losing or misplacing them).

Visa/Travel Documents
Visas and travel documents are extremely important and requirements may vary depending on the country you are visiting. Make sure to begin your research well in advance of your travels to limit stress, cost and possibility of not obtaining one. In many cases travel documents or visas are required to enter specific countries and without proper documentation you may be declines entry, which could clearly be the beginning and end to a very disappointing travel adventure.

Depending on the country and the consulate documents can take anywhere from same day (express) to numerous weeks. Make sure you have read and filled out the application form accordingly (sometimes even things such as writing in caps is essential!) and triple confirm you have included all of the required documents. Be sure to confirm visa expiration dates and renewal processes once in host country, as often the initial document must be revised upon landing. This step is extremely important and can sometimes be a stressful process so be prepared to check this one off your to do list in advance.

Please Note: Sometimes visas/specific travel documents are not required until arrival within host country, in which case lucky for you! Just make sure you understand the specific process of obtaining the documents when applicable.

Travel Doctor/Vaccinations and Medications
Similar to travel documents, often health preparations can be a lengthy (and sometimes expensive) process. Needless to say, this step is one of the most important as taking care of our personal health is always a main priority whether at home or abroad. Depending on your travel destination, and especially when travelling out of country, arrange an appointment with a travel doctor specific to your destination. Making a separate appointment with your family doctor or nurse practitioner many be useful as they have a stronger sense of your health history, may have additional insight and may have more time to discuss some of your health concerns in greater detail than your travel doctor.

Listen carefully to what the doctors say, ask questions and take notes if you feel it necessary. There will be a difference between vaccinations in which are required and medication which are a recommendation. Do your homework and understand your options; talk to friends and family whom are frequent travellers who you trust and gain a variety of insight into the matter. Health issues abroad are always something we would like to avoid but the next best thing is being prepared and knowing how to respond to them.

Travel/Health Insurance

As mentioned previously, this too depends on your destination. If you are travelling within province you may not have to worry if you are already insured for health coverage. If you are travelling out of province or out of country, it is always a good idea to confirm the agreements of your coverage to guarantee you have a strong understanding of what is and is not covered. For travellers going out of country this step is extremely important as some countries may not offer health coverage. If you have regular benefits you may already be covered so make sure to check the policies of your business/companies benefit coverage for the specifics of your trip. Often benefits will provide health coverage but not travel insurance. Discuss with a travel agent specific details of each policy before purchasing and make sure you are confident with your coverage. Often it is a good thing to think worse case scenario and see if you feel confident with your coverage, if so proceed, if not try a different package.

Packing/What to bring

This can be fun – and a pain! For those of us who are not so practical, we may end up bringing far too much. For those who like to pack light, may not bring enough. Pick your poison but make sure you are prepared to adapt to your load and please, bring the essentials. Many say less is more and when it comes to luggage of travel this is definitely true. Although having 5 options of outfits for each meal on your trip may be nice, remember you must carry this luggage, often in crowded areas.

The content in which you bring is what is essential. Make sure you have covered the basics from start to finish, beginning with appropriateness. When travelling consider the communities in which you will be visiting and pack accordingly to the cultural norms. For example; your attire would look differently travelling to the beach then it would a northern first nations community. The best place to start is clearly with research to gain an understanding of practicalities of your destination, such as climate, cultural customs and activities. Once you know the purpose of your travels (business vs travel , adventure vs. luxury) and what your trip's agenda may include you can begin packing accordingly, especially in combination with the findings of your research.

Always Remember:

Please Note: The list below is a vague description of commonly used items, regardless of destination. For a proper, more effective packing list plan according to the descriptions listed above based on the specifics of your location.

-Underwear and socks
-Pajamas
-Light Sweater

-Heavy sweater/jacket
-Comfortable walking shoes
-Camera (I-pod, computer... don't forget the chargers!)
-Toiletries (including any medications)
-Travel Documents
-Cash, debit and credit
-Dress clothes/Evening outfit (just in case, you never know who may invite you out to dinner!)
-A day bag (makes day travelling more convenient)
-First aid kit
-Notebook/travel log
*Any required comfort items or specifics from home

A common recommendation is to have the essentials for at least one day and one night in your carry on in case, by chance, your luggage does not find its way to your destination. This happens far too often and those who have their toothbrush and an extra set of underwear are always happy they thought ahead!

Personal/Where am I at?
For me, one of the most essential steps in preparing for pre-departure, especially for long durations, is acknowledging where I am at. This could mean numerous things depending on the individual. Often when I engage in travel it is to learn about a new culture which inevitably involves certain instances of confusion, discomfort, struggle, irritation, denial, sometimes anger, acceptance and celebration.

Understanding where I am at mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually will help me to stay grounded and move forward in identifying my needs abroad as well as my fears and possible struggles. Through identifying these obstacles it makes it possible to establish a plan to overcome these challenges, enabling the highest level of success and enjoyment for your adventures abroad.

Often it can help to document this process. Whether it be in a public forum such as an online blog or simply for personal use such as a journal, diary or travel log!

Going to Ghana

Upon completion of the eight month International Support Worker program, I have received job confirmation that will take me to Accra, Ghana working with Journalists for Human Rights at the African University College of Communications.

I will be working in the position of a Rights Media Educational Officer where my job will consist of working with journalism professors and students to create human rights and good governance curriculum as well as rights based media and media community forum. I will also be working with the AUCC Journalists for Human Rights School Chapter networking with local, national and international media houses as well as numerous non-profit, social organizations and government bodies. Together, we will also be putting together awareness campaigns, fundraisers and community events.

____________________________________________

Ghanaians celebrate in Accra during ceremonies marking independence from Britain. Ghanaians turned out in their thousands Tuesday for colourful ceremonies marking independence from Britain 50 years ago when the country became the first black African state to break the bonds of colonial rule.((Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

I will be heading to Toronto on June 20th, along with 7 other journalists from across Canada and around the world to take part in a week long pre-departure training session with jhr staff at head office.

I invite you to join me on my journey through Ghana, from start to finish, to learn about culture, safe travel, human rights and international support work.

Join me on Facebook at -Think Glocal- .

Many thanks!

Michelle Newlands
-Think Glocal- Editorial

Zapatistas Flood San Cristóbal by the Thousands, Join Call to Stop the War

By Natalie Long, glasgowchiapassolidaritygroup

Saturday's Silent March in Chiapas Was Prelude to Sunday's Convergence in Mexico City

May 8, 2011

On Saturday the Zapatistas, The Other Campaign, and members of the civil society of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas took to the streets, conducting a silent march that proceeded from the northwestern part of the city to the town center.

With participants numbering in the thousands, this march was held in solidarity with a larger, nationwide march that is currently taking place. The nationwide march started in Cuernavaca, Morelos this past Thursday, March 5, and will arrive Sunday in Mexico City.

The larger nation-wide march is largely due to the efforts of renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia. This past March 28, Sicilia’s son was founded dead near Cuernavaca, Morelos, with the body showing signs of torture prior to his death. Roughly a week after his son’s death, Sicilia published a letter in the Mexican magazine Proceso on April 3, denouncing the system of violence in Mexico. In this letter, Sicilia stated that Mexicans were “hasta la madre” (“had it up to here”) with the violence and corruption present in their country, and he called for the mobilization of civil society to reclaim Mexico for its citizens. His most recent call for mobilization is that of the ongoing march, also known as the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity.

Read Full Story

The re-entry process: reverse culture shock

After five powerful and liberating weeks of experiential learning in Mexico, we have arrived back in Canada. The flight seemed shorter this time and in many ways stepping off the plane and onto the soil of my home country was just as shocking as taking the steps onto Mexican soil 38 days ago.

Our return for me was quite overwhelming; being surrounded by an English-speaking majority, with eager travels coming from beach holidays and business endeavors. Young children wailing on the floors and young men and women dressed to the nines, wearing their sunglasses inside at night. Within the airport everything seemed to sparkle - the ceilings, the walls, the counters, the floors. The bathrooms were so clean you could eat in there, although of course no one did, and on each of the bathroom stalls free wii-fi throughout the entire airport was advertised, even there on the toilets; this way no one would have to miss even a minute of work.

As I used the bathroom, without my computer, I was impressed to see a toilet seat. I looked around for the garbage can to dispose of the paper as we had done in Mexico, forgetting it was no longer expected and after the automatic flush of the toilet I was able to use the hottest of waters to wash my hands. Walking back to the group, a few of us stopped to take our first drink of Canadian water from the fountain that provided free drinking water. Many of us did it not because we were necessarily thirsty, but because here we could. We would no longer have to rely on purchasing bottled water to guarantee safe drinking water, as the people of Mexico must do everyday, or they take the risk of getting sick.

After stopping at Tim Horton’s to silence our stomachs, where the vegetables weren’t fresh and the coffee not nearly as good as our host state of Chiapas, we headed down one of the most traveled highways, the 401, back to Belleville. It felt if we were floating down the road compared to traveling the streets of Mexico, where cars would cut you off or stop abruptly to allow more passengers to enter. There were no speed bumps, roadblocks or migrating pigs or goats in the middle of the lane and everything surrounding us looked so big and so distant from the window of my seat it looked like it must be in the far distance, but it wasn’t. It was right in front of me. Every time I return home I am reminded of how much space we have here in Canada. Everything seems wider, more spacious and in many ways much colder, and I’m not only talking about the temperature that was -5 as opposed to +20 and the banks of piled snow, which replaced the coconut trees and flower bushes. It was the distance between people that made things seem cold, and the one-way paths of all those surrounding us. It seemed lonelier here at home than it did in Mexico. A classmate of mine said it was like stepping out of a movie that was in colour into a new one of only black and white; it was true.

As we sat on the bus sharing our experiences and reflecting on our journey in our neighbouring country, we could see the school approaching in the distance. As we pulled up we saw the silhouettes of our friends and family there to meet us. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways back to our homes.

As I walked the three flights of stairs and entered my apartment I had never felt so comfortable to be home but yet like such a stranger in my own space. Things looked different, felt different. The energy was stale and the walls looked bare. I felt like I had come back to a space where someone else had been living.

After I took a minute to simply sit and think, I walked to the kitchen table and rummaged through the mail that awaited me. Income tax statements, bills, a membership renewal for The Council of Canadians, a reminder that I had forgot to pay March rent – oops! And a letter from my grade eight teacher.

I needed to take a few more minutes before I could tackle them.

I walked into my bedroom to see a pink envelope leaning on my pillow with a card inside from my mum and a vase of flowers on my windowsill. I had asked her to visit my apartment, make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything plugged in or turned on and to water my plants while my roommate and I were both away. I opened the letter, which was a warm welcome written with love. I began to empty my bag and walked to the fridge to store away the Oaxacan cheese I had managed to bring home – don’t worry it lasts longer without refrigeration than cheese in Canada, I promise – when I opened what I was expecting to be an empty fridge, it was filled with fruits, vegetables, juice, milk, eggs and all the necessities of a family. I truly have the best mum in the world!

What happened next was strange, and I thought for a while if I would share it. As I looked at my full fridge, clean apartment and view through my window, I started to cry. I was overwhelmed with gratitude, comfort and compassion but also with displacement and privilege. I have learned the life I live and this reality in which is mine, in many ways, is no reality at all.

As I contemplated wither or not to turn on my space heater before crawling into bed, I decided to once again just take a moment to sit. I sat quietly, closed my eyes and gave thanks for everything that I had experienced, all that I had learned and everything in which I am blessed with.

As I curled up into bed – the one I had secretly been missing the comfort of - I realized these things I would also have to relearn and would too, take some adjustment.

The Tree of Life - in a place called Tule

There is something about sitting beside a tree that is over 1500 years old that makes life beautiful. Today that’s what three of us ISW girls did, went to visit the 1500 year old Tree of Life in a small town called Tule, about 30 minutes outside of Oaxaca City.

We traveled in a collectivo to the small town of Tule to sit on a bench where many people from all over the world have sat before, simply to admire the beautiful gift in which Mother Nature had given; The Tree of Life, with its trunk stretching 11meters in diameter and it’s upper branches housing hundreds of singing birds, butterflies and creatures. Regardless of its struggles, the fights of furry with the wind and battles to withstand mankind, this tree had survived growing higher and becoming stronger each day.

It seemed as though the width of the tree stretched across the earth and the branches reached into the sky. Although some of the trees in the jungle would give this one a run for its money in size, The Tree of Life has years and with years comes wisdom; even within a tree.

There is something about sitting beside this tree that makes the world seem a little smaller. To think once upon a time, there was only nature and land surrounding this beautiful tree and now it has a neighbouring Spanish colonial cathedral and is surrounded by a tourist town to accommodate travelers, like us, who pass through to admire. Many say the Tree of Life is now

in danger of survival, as natural resources in the area are running low, they have created a town surrounding this tree, taking the water from the land and nutrients from the soil.

This tree is sacred, and to many people represents the power of life, beauty and strength. Lets hope humans can recognize this and keep the Tree of Life alive….