by Ryan Trinidad – written on August 8
Tracy getting his hair cut
Today we have the option to do whatever we want. No major activities or lectures until 7:30 pm. Greg, Lesley, Tracy and I decide that today was a good day to get our haircuts. Now back home in Tacoma, a nice fade will cost you 10 bucks, and in Seattle it’ll cost you about 20. But here in Kokrobitey, a fade only cost three Cedis – which is equal to two U.S. dollars. The barber takes good care of all of us. The fades look right, and he even cleans up our lineups with an actual razor blade. He also trims our facial hair and everything. This full treatment would cost me close to 30 dollars in Seattle. Three Cedis is ridiculous! Amongst a whole bunch of other things, some things just never change. This includes good conversation at the barbershop. Laughter and joking are a norm while getting a haircut, even here in Ghana. This experience was very cool. I even plan to get another haircut a day before we leave for Seattle in two weeks. Gotta come looking clean when I come back!
Dr. Gloria Burgeous
Tonight we were honored with an incredible lecture by Dr. Gloria Burgeous. Dr. Burgeous is a friend of Dr. Spearmon’s and has joined us for our second half of our program. Dr. Burgeous took us through her work with “Legacy Living.” Words on paper can’t really express what the group shared tonight. A sense of realization seemed to be a common theme amongst all of us. A realization of those who came before us and the ones who shaped us into the people we are today. We shared our stories to each other on who shaped us the most in our lives. I myself was quick to raise my hand and tell them about my older brother. I told them how much I loved him for everything he has done for me and everything he is still doing. So this is a shout out to my Kuya, Chris Trinidad! I miss you a lot bro and can’t wait to share with you the impactful experiences I’ve had here in Ghana. Dr. Burgeous left us with much wisdom. But the one thing that stuck with me the most from tonight was, “When you get gratitude right, everything else comes for free”… something to think about. But while you try to connect to this quote personally, tell the ones who you hold closest that you love them, they’ll appreciate it…
Dr. Gloria Burgeous
