A glimpse of Palestine

A major motivation behind my desire to travel is the want to learn about other cultures, other peoples. The Palestinian people are one who are frequently demonized in the Western media, however behind all the politics is real flesh and blood, people trying to live their lives each day, just as we do. Here's an excellent peek at their efforts. I invite you to take a moment to really explore each of the pictures, there's so much to experience.

Delayed

Regretfully, Cori and I have accepted that discretion is the better part of valor. We will postpone our departure to Ghana by about a month as I heal from a second ruptured Achilles tendon. I'll be in a cast for about the next two weeks, then in a boot for about four to six weeks after that. During the first three to four weeks in the boot I'll gradually begin to walk with weight on my left foot. My aim is to be walking without crutches by the time we fly out.

We haven't selected a fly-out date yet, but it will probably be around October 1.

Coffins From Ghana

Okay, obviously I hope I don't have to witness these in use. However, the Ghanaians certainly know how to have a send-off.

This is a picture of Ghanaian coffins.

Here are more



(h/t miss footloose)

My New Cast

Here's the latest cast


I'll be in this one for about 10 days before the doctor will remove it, check the Achilles, and place me back in a new cast.

Now they'll let us in

Today we received in the mail our multiple-entry visas from the Ghanaian Embassy in Washington DC. Good for 5 years, these visas will allow Cori and me to come and go from Ghana as we please!
Of course, when we go to Ghana is still up in the air. I'll know more after I visit my doctor tomorrow.

Lucy in the USA

We've been back from orientation in DC for nearly two weeks and during that time we've helped Lucy get established in the US:

1. Move into her new apartment
2. Go grocery shopping
3. Meet the neighbors (Thank you Meg!)
4. Acquire a bed (Thank you Eilene!)
5. Apply for a Social Security number
6. Set up a bank account
7. Purchase a mobile phone
8. Set up an international calling account
9. Shop for housewares
10. Learn about the local taxi service
11. Meet her mentor, Liz
12. Visit the school (Thank you Liz!)

In the days to come we will help Lucy:
1. Get a land-line phone
2. Set up internet service
3. Pay rent

Lucy's best quote of the week: "I have been meeting so many friendly people but they all scare me about the cold weather." (The coldest temp Lucy has experienced is about 15 Celsius. That's 59 degrees! Oh boy!)

Scenes from Orientation

The 2009-2010 Ghanaian-American Fulbright Teaching Exchange Partners









Discussing the merits of various methods of classroom management








During the Thursday evening cultural exchange dinner, Lucy demonstrates a traditional Ghanaian dance while Michael demonstrates a "white man's overbite."













Lucy did an outstanding job explaining the history of the dances to the audience









Last year's Ghanaian Fulbright alum, Leslie, has been an invaluable resource for Cori and me preparing for our time abroad









The contingent from Mexico performed a "Thrilling" tribute to Michael Jackson



































The week of orientation was a celebration of multiculturalism and global interconnectedness.



Photos courtesy of Phil Perrin with the Academy for Educational Development

Fixing the Achilles, Again

Wednesday morning I underwent Achilles repair surgery for the second time this summer. The procedure went well, although the doctor found more damage than he anticipated: Turns out when I re-ruptured my Achilles, I also tore the much smaller plantaris tendon, which he had hoped to use to help secure the Achilles.
Cori's sister, Shana, sat in on the surgery. She's a physical therapy doctor and wished to observe an Achilles repair since she helps rehab people like me post-op.
The most common question I get now is, "what's this going to do to your trip to Ghana?" Well, it seems likely our departure is going to have to be pushed back. Our tickets are for September 1, just 20 days after surgery. I was kept in a cast for only 13 days after the first surgery and we know how well that went. I have to imagine I'll be in a cast for at least 21 days this time, and perhaps longer.
I certainly know that when I go to Ghana I'll be walking with crutches. I just don't want to be wearing a cast.

Orientation, and My Left Foot

This is a monumental week in my Fulbright experience! Cori and I are in Washington DC attending the week-long Fulbright Teacher Exchange orientation. There are over 120 teachers in attendance representing 10 countries: Czech, UK, Switzerland, India, Turkey, Hungary, Mexico, France, and of course Ghana and the US. We have met my exchange partner, Lucy Okine. She is a wonderfully cheerful, charismatic, and brave person. We have shared information about our schools, communities and customs, and will continue to do so during the next few weeks as I help her get settled in the Germantown area.

Meanwhile a setback personally. My rehab following Achilles surgery had been proceeding nicely through last week. I met with my orthopedist and was given clearance to begin walking without a "boot." The following day I attended an annual Chicago event: A Cubs day game and a Sox night game. An outstanding day, we sat on a rooftop across from Wrigley where we met Daniel Craig (007) and Hugh Jackman. Later at the Sox game we sat in the third row behind the Chicago dugout where we appeared on television every time a right-handed batter came to the plate!
Friday morning, however, things turned sour: While simply walking in my friend's home, I stepped backward awkwardly putting significant pressure on my surgically repaired Achilles. Imagine the sound cabbage makes when you twist it apart to make coleslaw. I fell the ground and immediately thought I re-ruptured it. This was particularly frustrating because it would mean I would miss the following week's orientation in DC, on top of the need to repair the tendon and begin rehab all over. So, Monday morning Cori headed off to DC to attend orientation while I paid a visit to the orthopedist.
The doctor determined it was torn, but only partially. He sent me for an MRI just to confirm this diagnosis. A partial tear would mean no surgery, just a few more weeks in a cast and boot to re-heal. I quickly called Cori to share the god news and let her know I would be flying to DC the next morning.
Tuesday I arrived in Washington in the afternoon, was greeted by Cori, and met Lucy. That evening I received a call from my doctor. He had read the MRI. It was completely torn. I would need surgery.
So, that is where we are. Less than a month from our scheduled departure for Ghana, a land full of challenge and wonder for an incoming American. An adventure Cori and I have been preparing for for over three years. And it is being threatened by one wrong step.
It isn't likely that we will not go. We are committed to this both in our hearts and minds. However our timetable is being threatened. For us to make our scheduled departure of September 1, surgery and rehab will have to go exactly as planned. Cross your fingers, and anything else you can think of.