Welcomed with Arms Wide Shut!

My last few days in the UK were spent at home with my parents and Branston. I saw my Nanna and Grandmother and had a good chuckle with them and also went out for a lovely meal with my parents and Uncle Ian. (I had an almost walking steak! which was lovely!) All in all I had a great time back in the UK (and a fantastic week in Switzerland) and I must say thank you to all I have seen and who have hosted me (and that I have laughed and drunk and eaten with!) It was a shame I couldn't see everyone I intended on seeing, but July will come soon for another chance.

So the time finally came to enter back into my far away life. I am a nightmare to be around before traveling anywhere. For short trips, I am ok, but for long ones when it matters if I forget something I can not organise myself at all. Thank goodness my mother was on hand for me to throw stuff on the floor and she can neatly pack it away in my suitcase.  We then set out on our journey to Heathrow. We drove in almost silence and tension was certainly in the car. (These airport journeys are always stressful and I would rather I could sleep through them!) This time the tension was definitely emanating from me and I actually had a feeling of dread about going back. Going back to no secure job and no secure income is a long stretch away from the comfort of being home!

It took a fairly short time to get to the airport and through all the checks and finally on board the airplane. I was thrown straight back into the Ghana way of life whilst walking along the 'conveyor' belt that helps people move quickly to the boarding gate. Lazy people stand on the right and the rest of us walk down the left (you all know how it goes I'm sure) Of course, standing half way down, on the left hand side was a lady. (she was Ghanaian) She had her massive hand luggage casually placed behind her on the floor and there was no way anyone else was getting past. A couple of us patiently waited as she turned to look at us with no reaction. It was only when a well traveled, well to do Ghanaian lady, strolled down and quickly gave the other lady a lesson in conveyor belt queueing, that we could finally stretch out legs on the way to departures.

Once upon the plane I lost my mind and sat in the wrong chair (after carefully planning online where I would sit) Anyway it didn't matter too much, I got the row to myself and was even able to rest my eyes for a couple of hours! (which never happens!) A good friend of mine actually ended up sitting where I was supposed to sit. (With Ghana, the world is very small!)

At the other end I got through immigration with ease (it is always touch and go!) and head to Aunty Melanies. From there I went over to my old room to get myself organised! Of course, coming back to Ghana could never be as easy as that. (I really hoped it was going to be) The dread I felt in the car on the way to Heathrow turned out to be justified as, after a little wait for 'mummy' the landlady she informed me (in her long winded way) that I was no longer able to stay at the house. Something about the rooms being fully booked, which is absolute bollocks. I tried to explain that this would render me essentially homeless, but this seemed not to concern her!

I have a few points to make about this. Firstly, for a woman that talks about how wonderful God is on so many occasions she has basically played out part of a bible story by turning me away from the Inn. That is not to say that I am a Jesus figure or that Aunty Melanie's (who has kindly given me refuge) house is anything like a barn! It does suggest that this woman has no idea what she is talking about when it comes to her religion and that she has the selfish inability to really care about anything apart from money! (Maybe she learnt that form her pastor!)

Secondly, you may have noticed that she likes to call herself mummy. When she is not talking about God she is telling us all how she is our mother and she cares so much etc etc. (She cares about us not wasting her money on our Air conditioning really!) I am sure my mother would have not have turned someone away when they have no where to stay in a country that is not their own, when they have just arrived on an overnight flight. She is a fraudulent mother and from now one you will forgive me that I refer to her as a witch! (This rant was for Corecta, who is a professional  ranter. please rate it!)

The witch even gave Rose, who cleans for us, a hard time for storing my stuff for me until I came back. I must admit I am in shock a little from this. It has really taken the impetus out form my return. I expected to hit the ground running and work on the projects I had planned. Now I have to spend time looking for another half decent place to stay on my limited funds! Welcomes with arms wide shut!

As I said though, Aunty Melanie has come to my rescue and I have a comfortable room to stay in. I have also tried to forget my annoyances by joining her for the odd one two or three (or four) beers. Thank you Melanie, you really have made things a Lot easier!

We are now in the middle of the African Nations, so I was also able to enjoy the Black Stars defeat Tunisia to progress to the next round of the tournament. The next few days will be spent looking for rooms and supporting Ghana football!

Rant over! Yevu is back in Ghana!

Anyway,