New Prescription Glasses.
It was that time of the year again for my annual eye exam. Every time I go to purchase new frames, the salesperson is bewildered by my selection. I always head straight to the old grandpa section. Not only does that section contain the coolest frames but also some of the greatest prices. [Usually 2 for $99].
So here they are. My fantastic new frames! What you think?!
West Africa: The Last Bath
The Last Bath is very sacred. It is the last place the African captives were taken before being placed in castle dungeons to await the next ship to the Americas. After their capture the slaves were forced to travel up to 3 months from their villages to their final destination.
During this time they were chained together and forced to walk naked. They were given no food nor water and the weakest captives were unchained and thrown into the bushes where they were left to die. If a captive became rebellious, they were was punished by the addition of ball chains added to their already heavy load. Even when the women came to be on their menstrual cycle they were not allowed to clean themselves.
Once they reached The Last Bath, assuming they endured the 3month long journey, the captives were cleaned, shaven, fed and watered before finally branded by the masters. There was even a location designated for prayer before the captives were finally taken off the castle dungeons, another 3 week journey, where they awaited to be purchased by the merchants and slave masters.
The first set of pictures tell the story of the slaves’ journey.
The Last Bath is set up as a remembrance of the African captives and their horrendous journey.
In these two graves rest the bodies of two Africans captured and forced into slavery in the Americas. After their deaths their bodies were brought back to their home land to rest in peace.
After a quick overview and tour, we were asked to take our shoes off and follow on bare foot the path that our ancestors once walked.
The walk was very chilling. There were goose bumps down my legs.
Can’t even lie. I cried once I reached the bottom of these steps.
Even though I was in Africa, this was the coldest water I had ever felt. Very intense.
This ball and chain were found on the path when The Last bath memorial was first constructed.
West Africa: Village Life
While in West Africa I stayed with a host family for two weeks. Kwame, the father in my host family decided to take my roommate and I on a trip to visit the village he came from.
My host family did not have a lot of money but they had a sturdy home and enough food to eat every night. I was not sure what to expect as we traveled nearly 2 hours out of town on a dusty road before arriving at the village.
I was very taken aback at what we found but also inspired. I believe looks can be very deceiving and bad as these pictures may look to us, the people in these villages are very thankful for the little they do have. It makes you think twice about the things we complain about on a day-to-day basis.
In the middle of this poor village were the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen. So vibrant in a such a dull community.
#classic photo.
the most adorable children.
This woman’s power, strength and wisdom could be felt in her very presence.
This is how West Africans carry their children. This is the girl’s little brother, it is not her child.
Extremely poor living conditions in the village. That pump is the focal point to their watering needs.
These are their schools.
This woman has lived in homes like this since she was born. Imagine the strength.
He was not keen on photographs. Too cute.
This was the most adorable little girl I saw the entire trip.
I wanted so badly to scoop her up and bring her back to America with me! I cannot wait to adopt!
Pumpin water from the well. The only source of running water for tens of miles!
I am in head over heels in LOVE with the West African children. I miss them dearly.
West Africa: The Journey
As most of you know, this summer I was presented with an amazing opportunity to travel to the West African countries of Ghana and Togo. It has taken me awhile to get around to it but I am now going to start a series on my travels.
This first post will cover the realities of the village life in West Africa. Contrary to popular belief, the African people do wear clothes. I hate when I get ignorant responses or questions like that when I speak on my adventures in the Mother Land. However, a lot of the people do not have much more than the very clothes on their back.
I was blessed to be able to see every aspect of West Africa from the villages to the slave trade castles. I saw the poorest of the poor and I also witnessed the richest of the rich. There is a large gap in the socio-economic classes as Amber Rose stated but many criticized her remarks. There is a middle-class but the ranges are drastically spread.
I hope that you enjoy the pictures and the comments as I post over the next week.
Madase [ma-dah-see] = Thank you in Twi, a traditional Ghanian language.
A beautiful photograph of the Atlantic ocean from the Cape Coast Slave Castle in Ghana.
"Still loved him just enough to put up with the cheatin’, months go by and only see him for a weekend.” -J. Cole [Sideline Story]."
Lion King 3D
I love Disney. It is so cool to be able to take my daughter to see the same movies I watched thousands of times when I was her age. So Jadyn and I went on a date this Sunday afternoon [after church] to go see Lion King 3D. I had a blast with my munchkin.
Sidenote: We were definitely winning cuz Jadyn is only 2-years-old. We only paid TEN BUKS!! 2 & under get in FREE. Jadyn gon have to be 2-years-old for a couple more years. hehe.
Jadyn was too excited to see Lion King.
You cannot go to the movies and not purchase one of these bad boys.
Jadyn thought she was cool in her “sunglasses”.
Who snuck this Panera Bread in my purse?? hehehe. YUM.
J was ret-to-go.
She started gettin sleepy.
Finally, during a quick stop at target [my favorite store] she took a little nap.
