y.) But I decided to stick it out. I wanted to see the festivities. I went to breakfast and declared to everyone that for the remainder of my trip, I am vegetarian and sometimes vegan. I will eat rice and bread. I had a piece of toast and sprite this morning and we headed on the bus to Bunso for the read Inauguration Ceremony of the college. Bunso is at the center of the King’s kingdom, the Akyem Abuakwa kingdom. I didn’t realize how big it was until we arrived at the college and all is dozens of chiefs and their entourages showed up…all with similar vestments and umbrellas and some even had 10 wives with them! Lol. Then the King arrived and it was even bigger than yesterday. I keep thinking that it is a shame that the only think I can compare it to is “Coming to America.” But I mean, really. The entire movie. When the King enters, it’s that big. People everywhere, cameras from tv stations and music and the drums and singing gets louder and louder as his time comes to get out of the car. They layed out some kind of leopard skinned carpet for him and his big chair. Remember, “What is that? Velvet?!” And the person behind him carrying his staff. I mean, it is really a sight to see. He really is the man. The President was on the schedule to come, but he sent his people instead at the last minute. They say the real reason is political. That Osagyefuo, the King…that’s his name. Well they say his brother ran against the current President in the last election and lost, and that guy was there, so it would’ve been a bad look for the current President. Oh well lemme explain a bit more about the whole name thing. The Okyenhene is basically the name of the family…they’ve been ruling for years in that area and the current Okyenhene is Mr. Osagyefuo. Whew…was that as hard to read as it was to spell? He’s brilliant too. I mean to hear him speak, wow. The ceremony was not just for the college, but for the King’s 10 year anniversary as…well, King. Anyway, the ceremony was nice and Rev. Soaries spoke at this one as well. He can really preach anywhere…the people just loved him. The King still considers Pastor his Pastor which is why he, and all of us, get all of this special treatment…escorts and drives and assistants and the like. Our goal is to work with this community in Ghana to help with the type of community revitalization we have done in our own. Rev. Soaries says to them a long time ago we were taken to a foreign land and estranged from our African family and now we have come back home to partner together to make each respective area the best it can be…in so many words he said that…with scripture and everything. Well, I didn’t stay for the whole thing. I had one of the King’s people take me to the car to rest. I could feel myself fading in every moment. I wasn’t sick…I was recovering….and I was extremely dehydrated so I had lots of water too. When I woke up, everyone was going to the bus to the banquet for the King. The food looked amazing….I had rice and bread. I am sticking to that and I mean it. I will gradually go back to food eventually. Maybe even before my stay is up. But no time soon. Rev. Soaries seems to think a lime will cure me. He even went up to one of the chiefs and said, “She’s not feeling well. I need you to get her a lime.” Lol. I never got that lime, but it was funny to see. I feel a little more comfortable staying knowing the King’s people will be here to drive me around and take care of me while everyone else leaves Wednesday. He really is the man. We’re back at the hotel now early…THANK GOD. I’v managed to take a short nap and blog and maybe I’ll go to the restaurant to get some more rice. Lol! Oh Africa…while i'm here because i'm so far away from home and this is such a different experience, i'm allowing myself at least one temper tantrum per week...you know the "Why isn't the internet working Why are there ants in my bathroom I'm sick and I wanna go home" tantrums. Yeah, had one of those and i'm better now. That was my one for the week! Oh Africa...p.s.- I told my brother I’d shout him and his own tribe out. Hello Shaun! Tia! Jada! Jeremiah! (Chloe I have 24 days here, you’ll get a shoutout soon too. Lol)
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