I love Oreos specifically double stuffed oreos. Maren and I have one each night cold straight from our small ref. It's a way to connect to home, end a day and bond as friends. It is a moment we take each night before bed and wouldn't missed for the world. In many ways an oreo is a good representation of how I feel most days expect inside out. I, a chocolate person, am stuck in the middle of an all white group. When we go out taxi drivers, guides, community members, etc approach me first to ask questions, negotiate prices, to collect the group's money, sell items to the group, etc. Charity, our group leader is a Deaf woman. I try to push people to talk to her, but in many situations I end up interpreting for her and the person doesn't have an interest in talking with her. I do more translating information than interpreting because of this, which doesn't allow me to walk away from a situation and let her handle it as our group leader. It can be really exhausting and requires me to be mentally on all the time. Some days it make me not want to participate in group outing, just do my own thing in smaller groups. I thought about what it might be like to be the only Black person in this group, but I didn't really imagine this. Not sure how to navigate it yet.
Maren and I found more BOFU (like a donut) on the street today and bought 15 of them.. Oh my gosh they are so GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!! It's going to be a good breakfast morning. Typically, when my breakfasts start off well the dinner is good to.. Fingers crossed
At school, yesterday Maren and I arrived to a group of children standing outside along the road. As we walked over, we were greeted by the African Momma, Dora, who said that the children were waiting for the President of Ghana to pass by to wave and pay their respects to him. He was on his way to Koforidua. We stood on the street chatting with Dora and her husband, Samuel, the school librarian and sign language teacher. My chatting was interrupted by the sound of sirens coming down the street. There were 4 individual cops on motorcycles zooming down the street zig zagging back and forth down the street. They were followed by two large vehicles and then the President's car. His window was down and he was waving out at the children. The children and all of us out there started waving hysterically at each car and in minutes after standing for a little over an hour the President and posse were gone within minutes. It was a cool experiences.
In terms of the Oreo piece, I suppose I don't know how I'd metaphorically explain me, but it is definitely different when you're dealing with dis/ability and can walk in both worlds. It is interesting how race and perceived ethnicity tie has played into your experience so far. But being one who is able to interpret can definitely be exhausting and demeaning to your group leader's positionality within the group. I've often felt in an odd position as a child interpreting/translating for my parents.
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