“Oburoni” “Brofwe”, Written Article

Found an article I wrote for a magazine from a few years ago thought I would share it.

“Oburoni” “Brofwe”

The locals quietly whispered and snickered as I ambled downhill in the early hours of the morning just a few moments after sunrise towards the Volta River amidst the huts and shacks of the small village of Mepe, Ghana.

I have become accustomed to that naming, and the feeling of being perplexed has long since washed over me.

After all, it wasn’t every day that locals came across a Kuwaiti walking amidst the maze of the stifling dusty alleyways of Mepe for the sole reason of capturing the sunrise over the magnificence of the Volta River. I was clearly a foreigner, an outsider looking to be lost.

My journey all started over a conversation regarding my love towards nature and my love of travel and experiencing what is different. I was lucky enough to be hired by a local company which had the daring mentality and visionary aspirations that I always had been seeking to achieve.

After a few weeks living in Ghana I was bewildered by many aspirations of its people and the cultural integrity and lifestyle that made Ghanaian people who they are, kind god fearing happy people.?

But why were they happy? What did they possess that was lacking in a lot of people I meet on a daily basis back home? How could they be so content in spite of the lack of necessities that we deem a prerequisite for such a life?

I decided to find out.

During the first break I got over the weekend I decided to lightly pack and start a trip seeking to understand. And what better way to travel in Ghana but on bike. The only one I knew that could be available to me was the one belonging to my personal driver Elvis.

“Elvis” I called out.

“Yes, Sir” he replied.

“How much for your broken down Haojin bike for the day” I jokingly asked.

With the warmth of the sun overhead and cool breeze dancing around I set out on a drive with the sole ambition to take in all that was around me. Rackety huts and mud houses and the vibrant colors of all the small shops of Mepe and the villages across flew by me.

It was only after a few hours that I realized the chugging and heaving of my bikes engine that forced me to come to an abrupt stop. I tried tinkering with the bike for a few minutes only to come the sole realization that the bike was officially dead and unrepairable.

So, here I was, lost beyond recognition in the middle of nowhere, without the means and capabilities to do anything about it. Little did I have time to console myself when I noticed the vibrant smile of a passerby walking towards me. ?After a few moments of discussing the ill fate of my bike he decided to invite me to his place until the proper repairs could be made.

Here I was in a house vaguely 9 m2 which consisted of a bed a cupboard and a stool where the wife of my host was breast feeding his youngest. I was greeted by the hugs of his younger children all fascinated by this alien with different skin and soft long hair and scraggly beard while their father was delicately expressing ?the rich history of their lives.

After an hour or so it was time for my departure, leaving I knew I had to repay this person with any kind gesture that I could provide, so we agreed that I will revisit another day.

Two days later, finding nothing in my possession to give other than some packets of chocolate biscuits, I nevertheless found myself at his doorstep once again. His astonishment at my return was only surpassed by my amazement at the abundance of joy and gratitude that poured from their gleaming smiles and outstretched arms.

Apparently, my humble packet of biscuits was cause for a celebration, and even their neighbours were invited to join in with a festive dance.

A good friend of mine and fellow traveler once told me how happy it was for her to see people get inspired by travel; however, to me it was always the inspiration of meeting people, learning their ways and cultures and visions of life and happiness that pushed me to seek more.

So in conclusion I say, be that foreigner, that outsider looking to be lost among what life has to offer, and find what it is that enables us to achieve happiness.