But First a Trip Through the South

As my flight to Accra leaves out of Atlanta, my mother and sister and I decided to take a road trip through the south before I leave. We flew into Atlanta Wednesday, rented a car and immediately hit the road. Our first stop was Asheville, North Carolina. It was a great town, very cool vibe....similar to Bellingham but with some serious heat and humidity!

We are now in Charleston, SC. It is a gorgeous city and full of history. This afternoon we went to the old slave market, which was a much more powerful experience than I had anticipated. Perhaps knowing that in just a couple of days I'll be in West Africa, which was one of the biggest slave ports to leave Africa. Of the 12 million men, women, and children that were enslaved in Africa between 1700 and 1775, 7% of them were sent to the US. Of that 7%, 40% arrived in Charleston. So essentially I'm beginning my journey where they ended theirs and traveling back in time.

What was fascinating to me was the spirit that the enslaved Africans held onto and brought with them to America; their spiritual customs, cooking, music and dancing. So much of our country's culture comes from that, and they held onto it despite the unfathomable conditions they faced. On the ships the men were made to dance and beat drums, in order to stay healthy to get the highest price once they reached America, but what it really did was allow the slaves to stay connected to their African roots.

The market itself was held in a brick building, and standing there in the trading room, there was definitely a strong energy. Reading about families being separated and imagining the anxiety and terror they must have felt was overwhelming. It makes me wonder what life in the village I'm going to be working in would be like had slavery never existed. Impossible to say, but it definitely makes me all the more driven to try and have a positive impact. I'm more inspired than ever to do what small part I can to help alleviate poverty in the developing world, and I am definitely ready to get to Ghana and start working.

I'm glad to have the unique opportunity to start this journey by being somewhat humbled. I do love this country and am grateful for all the opportunities I have, especially the opportunity to allow me to go out and try to make some sort of difference in the world, no matter how small.