7. The Final Chapter
Do all good things come to an end? Today we would find out, as we boarded the highly safe and seatbelt-laden truck which would take us to the excitement of the Kakum Rainforest, one of Ghana’s top tourist attractions. We joined the masses of school parties there, keen to experience the heights and sights of the canopy treetop walk. Once we had made our way up the hill, the students and their 25 buddies strode out intrepidly to join the crowds on the wobbly bridges. Although the ropes wiggled and swayed, they ultimately led to one of the most beautiful views of the trip so far, as the team gazed over the miles of dense rainforest spread before us. Think Jurassic park, for those old enough to remember that cinematic zenith point.
After we had negotiated the terrors of the rainforest, they were exchanged for the terrors of the drive home, being guided by a driver rather late for his next appointment in another city. The thunderstorm that followed made the team lament for the ironic heatwave that is underway I England, and yet one hour later, the sun was shining again, allowing Josh and Pete to start a game of village cricket – rules were taught, technique was honed, and before long, a game of ‘Bruni-Ball’ (White People’s Ball!) was underway – our very own Ashes test, right here in Ghana. In the background, the carpenters continued to work on the roofing of the teachers’ accommodation block. Although it won’t be finished in time for our leaving, it is moving ahead well and should be sorted within in a couple more days. We look forward to the photos arriving!
The rain subsided, and we walked down the beach to one of the most beautiful spots on the planet, where the students played, swam, joked, laughed and shared with their buddies. A highly competitive international beach volleyball fixture is delicately placed at 1 game all – a decider next year I think will be very necessary! There could scarcely have been a more beautiful, more relaxing or more joyful ending to our time together in Dutch Komenda, and a highly rewarding moment for all involved, to stop, reflect and give thanks for that has been.
Eleanor’s final ‘What we’ve learnt list’…
– The Ghanaian sea is a brilliant way to shower.
– Small children like to tickle you when you decide to be brave and wash your hair outside.
– My Buddy is very fond of giving me gifts of live animals (my favourite was the baby goat).
– Volleyball is not for the faint-hearted.
– Alice’s ‘Boom cha’ dance works very well on a wobbly rope bridge.
– Who is afraid of heights.
– 14 girls all trying to tidy up at the same time is mayhem.
– The smallest gifts can make the biggest impacts.
– Life, my friend, is FULL of beauty, and as long as I never lose the ability to see this beauty, I truly believe I will always be happy.