攝影

我想說的是動態攝影

攝影師
其實這個工作聽起來還挺浪漫的…
看到什麼就可以拍什麼
不但有影像，還可以錄到聲音

剛拿到攝影機時很興奮
幾乎有一機在手，世界我有的幻覺XD

第一次拍攝是志工團的行前訓
兩天的急救訓練課程，拍完後只覺得自己在浪費時間
有誰會去把它看第二遍= =+

我們可是要拍紀錄片而不是去記流水帳的！

然後開始了我的菜鳥攝影師生涯(結束拍攝時應該也還是菜鳥= =b)
到處取經，研究要怎樣才能拍出一段有營養的影片

整理心得如下：
畫面要穩定、手不要亂晃
構圖要美麗、雜音要注意
何時要遠景、啥時要特寫
看到好看的不要顧著欣賞，記得舉起攝影機把它拍下來-->這個最難= =b

自覺準備得不錯，自信滿滿的出發到迦納…
誰知道代誌恩係憨郎響ㄟ蝦李押乾單ㄟ~
幾天下來就滿滿的心酸可以跟大家分享~”~

剛到阿克拉，就吃了閉門羹…
一下飛機，想在停機坪拍大家初到迦納時興奮的表情
就被安全人員制止了，還被要求刪片QQ
海關禁止攝影我知道,為什麼停機坪也禁止攝影咧= =+
出了機場門口又被制止一次，拍路人還被要求要給小費
於是開始畏手畏腳不敢亂拍~”~
之後好長一段時間拿出攝影機前都要看向Joy，等她點頭後才敢舉起攝影機

在Winneba的Uncle Rich小學，人山人海的畫面不知從何拍起
為了抓到全景，不斷的向後退，居然把水管踩破了orz
害學校停水一天，還讓Joy賠了9 Cedｉ的修理費QQ
最後好不容易抓到了一個小朋友可以做訪談，旁邊工地的施工聲卻突然響起
於是看片時最明顯的是乒乒乓乓的施工聲QQ

最難過的是落落長的interview
全拍會累死人，少拍又擔心漏掉精彩畫面
站在那邊不敢亂動又不能跟旁邊的人討論
總會讓人忍不住詛咒受訪者的長舌= =b

然後是看片時，看到影像晃動，聽到收音不清
或是導演說一聲這個影像不好
知道自己做了白工，
一整個心都碎了QQ

喜歡攝影師這個工作的，
因為可以遠遠的旁觀大家的表情，用不同的角度體會一件事情的發生
因為可以把親手把精彩的畫面記錄下來(更多的是忘記紀錄XD)
因為未知的挑戰總是令人熱血沸騰~
I will do my best, and our documentary would touch others.

【熊】

墨導小記- God, please raise me up!

紀錄片543Interview兩三次了，它的壓力還是讓我總是喘不過氣來。也不是說打從心底排斥，我當然知道那是一個讓自己短期內快速成長最好的機會，而且能夠勝任的話這個職位說嘴上真的是蠻體面的。

難的就在於，我要製造出自己想要的畫面。要兼顧訪談內容的知性、人性和有趣。溝通、聊天和表達自己真的是很難學全的一門事，偏偏它們是人與人相處之間最重要也最佔比例的部份。無論如何，我懂得的也就只有時時提醒自己不要忘了人性。

訪談過程中，人家累了就是累了、無聊就是無聊。其實大部份時候妳給別人的印象和感覺應該是會主導整個訪談過程和內容的。目前我只會一問一答，在別人回話時眼睛看著他，好像很認真地在聆聽。事實上，兩成在發呆、一成沒聽懂、還要分神絞盡腦汁思考下一個開放性的問題、還要掩視當看到非洲人自然地在妳面前邊挖鼻孔邊認真思考和講話時很想笑的冏態。需要克服的是，我怕累、怕無聊、怕做了努力沒有收穫、怕放了感情沒有回應，就像全世界的經濟系學生一樣。

前幾天到ict center對於director的訪談，那一次我在訪談前不想睡硬逼自己睡，結果效果真的不錯。容易缺氧的大腦沒有辜負我的期望，還是會不小心放空、不小心分神，但至少沒有大剌剌地睡著然後失去知覺(中午飯後的訪談我真的無法控制)。

我想學會與人互動，想要讓有我的訪談更有趣一點。大家都不是明星，沒有人是不會怕鏡頭的。妳怕，跟攝影師不熟的人比妳更怕；妳慢熟型，受訪者又不一定想交妳這個朋友；妳覺得無聊，人家對那些跳tone又無厘頭的話題也是莫名奇妙。God, please raise me up!

【墨 8/18】

墨導小記- All Roads Lead to Humanity

The more people you meet, the more you know that humanity is all the same. Wherever you go, you always end up being what you are. With the concept in mind, I told myself never to stop observing and getting better. However, sometimes you have to relax and accept yourself. When I tried to cherish the time of relaxing here, something went through.

“Hey, you have been lazy these days. When are you going to finish the films recently?” asked by one of the cameramen, Shone. “If she doesn't want to do it, just let it go.” said the one you-know-who. Well, I have to say that I was being lazy. Somehow I felt that I was not what I am here with the tough and don't-know-how-to-do job.

Laziness is humanity, as well as the end of the tolerance. I have to be reminded that I must go on even though all of us know well about our weakness in every way. The morning when Peter judged the efficiency of African time, I was deeply reminded. You don’t have to compare yourself with others (especially the professional) if you want to make progress.

I always doubt the way we get since we were in Africa. Watching films and thinking about the next step to go on, arguing and complaining (most times I did) and stopping moving forward and starting over again, I need something that I know little about. IT school session is not the vacation. >O<




Pictures: As I play and totally forget documentary directing job, cameramen were still working, both seriously and enjoyably.





【墨 8/16】

墨導小記- All Days Lead to Birthday

Please, don't ask me my point of view on those documentaries; don't ask me the idea to conduct the interview; don't ask me…how to celebrate my birthday. I have no idea!

I have no idea what makes sense and what not. During this trip which had been long expected (since last November), I kept wondering and trying to convince myself that nothing is meaningless, neither even the waste of time. (I mean when we argued every time and ended up having no conclusion and starting over again and again.)

Nothing is perfect, but either nothing doesn't have chance to be perfect. With the one you-know-who to push all of us seriously and torturing, it never ends and we never stop. All days lead to birthday, although I used to try to look it over.

【墨 8/16】

080813- culture event

There was a culture event held in Winneba town at 3:00pm today. So as soon as IT school class ended, we were heading to the town. Then we saw a town square with 3 sheds put up. The north side was Winneba band. At the opposite side was Cape Coast band. We sat at west side. Suddenly, there came a bus carrying lots of foreigners. (oh no, Ghanaians are also foreigners to us. Haha¡K.) They are Belgians actually and are also a volunteer group traveling in Africa during summer vacation. The leader is a woman who takes 10 more kids ranged from 7~ 15 year-old. The purpose here was a kind of culture exchange of drums. Africans are also good drummers. Thus, these 3 groups were playing with drums in turn. At the same time, Ghanaians were also showing their superior dancing, twisting theirs butts and shaking whole bodies. What a cheerful and exhilarated scene that I could never forget. Even though they are not professional dancers, they still had exerted all their strengths.

I liked the Belgians the most. Because the kids are so cute and naive that I am hard to image they are from families with a tough financial situation. (The volunteer group is aimed to assist those children building up its confidence. That's why they were here and was going to Cape Coast and then Nigeria.)

Somehow you might find lots of small venders emerged in the crowd. They were watching the show and peddled their own business at the same time. Children were always never absence from taking part in merriment. While we appeared in the crowd, we were conspicuous target of slightly strange and queer. Maybe it was the first time that they encounter non-black humans in their life.

We do widen our horizon to the Ghanaian traditional celebration. Furthermore, we had stayed in classroom all day long for 3 days. It was a real moment of letting us breathing some fresh air.

【Rishan】

墨導小記- 停停走走

IT school終於開始了，發現自己實際上的貢獻也一樣不是很多。紀錄片出現了新主軸但卻沒有了interview的對象，我想就這樣停下來一會兒。但稍微想一下，IT school這裡一停就是十天兩個禮拜，總共行程也才五個禮拜，如此還大言不慚地告訴人家我們在拍紀錄片，似乎說不太過去。

IT school需要紀錄的東西我還找不太到。主動學習、踴躍發言的青少年學生們在參訪學校時就已經見識過。Dennis的教學過程很是流暢精彩，但我對教學影片實在沒興趣，看片看到趴在電腦前就可以睡死，全程攝影又太佔硬碟空間，攝影師群也吃不消。

再說就算錄了教學影片，我們的教學品質大概也比不上那種貴死人不償命的數位補習班。我好像太現實太悲觀了是不是？就算什麼都比不上人家專業的，還不是來了非洲那麼遠。不過就是一群二十來歲的死大學生，不如就這樣停停走走。有路就走，有河過橋，我想我們終究會成長的吧。

【墨 8/12】

080812- IT school

We were going to give lectures in IT School for students aged from 11 ~15 in the following two weeks. Originally we got a message that there were 28 students coming from 7 different schools, 4 students per school. But due to summer vacation, it is hard to call students together under a bad transportation situation and accidental reasons.

Therefore, there were only 16 students from Uncle Rich school in the morning. Happily there were 5 more students from XX school coming later. There were 21 students in total.

Today was the first class. Joy started the opening with Denise (OVF training teacher) and 10 of us.

In the morning, Denise introduced what computer is and mentioned about super PC/mini PC/Palm PC and so on. He just gave them a simple conception of that since they were all beginners. The 2nd class started at 1:30pm. Denise continually introduced PC in relation to hardware & software. Afterwards, Peter was in charge of the rest time, around 1 hr. He taught them how to use mouse, such as opening files, minimizing & maimizing the windows. So they were going to have an idea at first step. Above was the outline of first class today.

Furthermore, for such beginners, they were very courious about the machines. Sometimes they enjoyed the dragging mouse and sometimes they were frustrated about unmovable point of arror. Most children were excited but few were scared by PC thoroughtly. PC to them is like a magic mirror which can complete their dreams totally and discover a whole new world out of boundry of Ghana. That's why they are here. They are so eager to learn the latest technology!

Hope the classes really help and evoke their interests to the technology through internet by themselves after we leave! Hope the classes will go smoothly and successfully!

PS. Most students have no idea about PC at all except 4 or 5 who have PCs at home. Thus, we decided to divide them into basic, medium and advanced levels. The basic level has more tutors aside. That way the presenter will be easy to go through the lecture.

【Rishan】

墨導小記- 還是覺得我是對的

新的主軸不是我的idea，在發現提出它的攝影師peter跟我的想法有多不同後，我還是認為自己是對的。並且是真心、仔細地反省考慮後堅定地如此認為。但長大之後就應該要瞭解，妳對不代表別人就是錯的。

今天richardson沒有來，少了一些interview的壓力。晚上在homestay家門口覺得自己很不會抬槓，我只要累了或心情不high(不是不好，是不high)就會想不出話題來。I am that I am，忘了從什麼時候開始，大概是最近一年內而已吧，決定要接受並且做回原本的自己。真的累了，或是不想吵鬧，那就讓它靜吧。

如果每個人都能好好地為自己著想，那麼世界就不會有戰爭了。我喜歡親眼見證自己的腳步往前邁進。不管結果和過程是怎麼樣，只要我還在前進，一切就會是好的。

【墨 8/11】

墨導小記- 新的主軸

昨晚攝影師群提出了一個新的idea：以我們來迦納所遇到的非洲人，挑出幾個有故事、有想法與特色的人做專訪。一個接著一個，然後以我們跟他們的互動來銜接。姑且以這個如「台灣腳，迦納行」一般陽春、老梗、俗氣又沒創意的標語來詮釋：在迦納遇到的五個人。(另一個志工群坦尚尼亞團以TATWO為標語，象徵TAiwan與TAnzania的結合，諧音還有刺青的意思，既有意義又具現代感)

總之就是如此，反正跟我想拍的東西沒有衝突。一直以來我都不是為非洲人而拍，我是為我們十個人而拍。非洲的窮人生活有多困苦、孤兒有多可憐，我想這些大家都看多了。而這兒的大自然有多美、野生動物多自由，有發現頻道與動物星球。為了幫助非洲人而拍的紀錄片？先幫幫我們自己吧。

昨天在專訪Mus的將近兩個小時中，我極盡所能地集中精神在瞭解Mus的濃重非洲口音。其實大概也只有在這個時候，我們才會全神貫注地想辦法與他互動。前幾次參訪棕櫚油的製造過程，炎熱的天氣加上一群人浩浩盪盪，注意力很容易就會被其它事物所吸引，反正十個人中總會至少有一個會有反應。最後的結果往往是發現時間一下子過了幾小時，卻想不起來自己到底得到了什麼收穫。我想這個新的主軸會讓我的工作記憶存留地久一點…

【墨 8/10】

080810- China Products Flood into Ghana

I am suprised to recognize Chinese words on the packages of commodities. You can see China products everywhere in Ghana. From tissues, plastic slippers, toys, buckets, to sauces, cans, candies¡Ketc.

Understandably this country produces few appliances by themselves except exploiting natural resources of mine, diamonds and planting agriculture.

So they import cheaper goods from China in which the prices could be afford by Ghanaians.
One day we met a couple of Chinese who traveled to Cape Coast Castle from Accra.

They said they have run their own business in Accra. I didn't ask what kind of business they're running, but I guess they may do lots of importing trade from China.

Let's zoom in on Taiwan. Living in the highly modern country, we can easily get anything we need because convenience stores are almost on every corner; vendors, stands, supermarkets, 3C distributors and bookstores are everywhere. We even persue designed clothes, luxuries and exclusive foods for high-level life.

But in Ghana, the economy stays in argriculture age. There are very few choices, self-contained information and are short of technologies. So you can realize that national economy is really crucial to a country's development.

In China, there were lots of Taiwanese businessmen investing thousands of US dollars around 1990. They built manufactures, trained people and brought new skills to China. It created a lot more job opportunities there. People could earn more money than before. And then a great deal of service industries come out gradually. People become richer and richer. For China, there was external stimulus(investments) from Taiwan and western countries. China government also put much efforts to open up its markets and made relative polices to support its economies.

Afterwards, the economy have grew faster and faster from now on. China has become the main factory of the world.

Now you can realize why China products flood into Ghana, and somewhere else in Africa. National economy does decide a country's competitiveness and the citizens' life standard.

【Rishan】

080809- ceremony

When it comes to rural village or ancient anthropology, you can easily image what the "ceremony" is. Harvest, ghost, ancestors, specific animals, dance, music, totem, drum, singing, elaborate dress, beverage, foods and much more.

We have visited 2 different ceremonies in Ghana. One is a traditional custom of "yam on stool" and the other is for "Queen Mother of Development".


A kind of harvest ceremony. Only "yams" can be put on the stool. Other vegetables are not treated as well as yams. Maybe it is village residents' staple food, I guess. So people put yams on the stool showing respect. During the ceremony, they drummed, danced and prayed. They also sacrificed a goat for the celebration and appreciation to God. I didn't realize whole process of the ceremony in details due to the limited time. But the point is you were really there and observed the vivid proceeding which is always recorded on books by yourselves - the cane of authority, chief, traditional dressings and solemn ritual¡Ketc.

I liked this ceremony very very much! It was an unforgettable experience to me absolutely!


This ceremony is aimed to coronate one who contributes substantially to town by the supreme chief. Today was Joy's big day because she was going to be crowned the title of Queen Mother of Development. By the way, if the one who's going to be crowned is male, his title will be "Development King".

At the beginning, Joy had to put on traditional ritual dressings, wear golden ornaments and put on local-style black slippers. While dressing up, she went downstairs from 2nd floor of the chief's house. By her sides were the two wives of the chief and other people were just following. One of them put up a peculiar and traditional umbrella above Joy's head. Then, Joy and two of the wives were moving forward in front of the chief. The emcee read praying incantation and Joy followed his ritual performances. Afterwards, Joy sat down next to the chief and then the wives.

At the same time, there were many village people crowded into the chief's house. Some sat down on chairs behind the chief and some stood up by the side. There was an interesting thing that worth mentioning. Throughout the journey so far, the ones we met were all invited to this ceremony: two guides from Kakum National Park, the dancer and the artist from Cape Coast town, Muse (a palm farmer), Kafui (OVF founder) and his elder brother. It seemed to be a little traditional party for Joy.

Latter on, some of people started dancing in front of chief and Joy with powerful drumming. We were taking pictures and video ceaselessly. No doubt, we do enjoy the ceremony with solemn and lovely moods.

The ceremony lasted 2 hours. From now on, Joy has a new Ghanaian name - Nana Efua Tweneboah II. "Nana" stands for respectful form of address. "Efua" stands for Friday born female, and Tweneboah is a given name. So Joy's new name stands for that one is strive to make better life for farmers or residents in Jukwa.

PS: The chief is inherited from generation to generation in light of matriarchy. This chief, King Odeefo Boa Amponsem III governing the kingdom of Denkyira, was assigned by his uncle who is a brother of his mother. So Amponsem must assign a successor from one of his sisters' sons before he passes away. However, if elders do not agree with the successor, they will elect another one. Chief's mother has the power to make a decision.

See, it is an ancient clan society according to anthropology.

【Rishan】

墨導小記- 啊然後咧

「這一段妳要放在哪裡？」「這些畫面通通都不要嗎？」「還有沒有需要補拍的？」自從我開始想要積極一點去面對這些事情，每天就不斷地被攝影師群追問。其實我對拍片現場的掌控還是很沒概念，因為畫面都是他們在掌握的。片場太暗、太吵、太多人、太雜亂、沒有主題時要怎麼辦，他們的敏感度絕對比我強。

那我到底可以做些什麼啊？目前唯一的成果，就是每天看片的感想。我好像摸出了攝影師群裡每個人的影片風格。不淺擅長拍攝人物對話，他的構圖總是很和諧完美。peter喜歡象徵性的畫面，總是拍出一大堆我搞不太清楚想要表達什麼的影片檔，對他來說，似乎每一秒鐘都可以是一部紀錄片。熊就比較折衷，因為他總站地比較遠，影片中時常會出現我正好想補拍的畫面。砲哥最近才新增進來紀錄片小組幫忙，我還找不到他在攝影時分工上的定位。(其它人其實也不是我分配的，是他們自己培養出來的默契)

【墨 8/8】

墨導小記

從出發到現在，對於紀錄片的籌畫總算有了一點頭緒。我們當然是當初一開始決定要拍紀錄片時就有一點想法的，但第一次的嚐試總免不了生疏大意。行程跑了三分之一了，我才開始有點感覺，開始懂得如何擺脫那種晚上睡夢前總是想不起一整天做了什麼的空虛感。

不管了，反正看到什麼就通通紀錄下來吧。攝影師群的工作態度總是讓我的腦子裡充滿了說不清的複雜情緒，不知所措而且無可奈何。之前接畢編長時好像也是差不多的情況：因為職務看起來好玩、有趣又有點權力，可以依自己的喜好決定一些明明很重要的事。然後…飛快投入、並且馬上耗光自己不知道那僅有的三分鐘熱度。

一開始，在別人眼裡我總是看起來很欠腳；合作時間久了，才會發現我的亂七八糟。有時候我會因此而交到好朋友，因為時常需要幫忙。但我想一定也有人很受不了然後默默地在心裡大扣我的印象分數吧！之前對於紀錄片滿腔熱血但卻沒有方向，每天就是照著鄭文堂導演的忠告：看片看片、快轉快轉(一般專業人士應該是不會這樣做，但我們流水帳般的影片紀錄實在是太無趣了)，無謂地盯著這三台hd。

天高地厚什麼都不怕，我就怕無聊，無法忍受千篇一律、無法忍受腦袋空空度日如年。開始想要回應很辛苦的攝影師群，不過其實他們每個人心中都有導演的主見與眼光。看起來呆呆地什麼都拍、什麼都錄，但其實心裡千頭萬緒(不曉得有幾個百分比是在數落我的不負責任)，為這千萬個心血堆積的影片檔疾首搥肝。

【墨 8/7】

080807- Coincidence

Today we got up very very early at 4:00am because we were bound for Kakum Nation Park again (in fact we had been there on Monday) to see wildlife. Animals are always going to hide before dawning. So we have to grope our way in dark night and wait for them.

Wandering in Kakum forest with various unusual trees was an unforgettable and unexpected experience to me. Today we walked under canopy drawbridge. Tomorrow, uh-huh we are going to come again and walk on canopy walkway for birds watching. (So sad, we have to get up very very early.)

After forest tour, we were back to main road of Kakum. You guess what, we crossed by a woman, who was very familiar with someone we'd met before, but we were not sure who she was at that moment. As a matter of fact she was the Kakum tour guide first time we came with. Afterwards, we talked each other for a while and knew she was an orphan in childhood. And now she constructed an orphanage and adopted 10 children. Her story was really worth reporting we thought. Thus we went to visit the orphanage called "Horizon-Children's home" which means " Keep going on and on."

See, this is the house for orphans. Ms. Agnes Ampong, is a humor, energetic, kind and friendly woman. She has 3 jobs to raise these children. One is a Kakum National Park tour guide, the other is doing small business of vegetables, peppers and foods ingredients at home, and another is running "Horizon Children House". She keeps looking for anything else she can gain more money.

Though she is an orphan, she still dedicates to herself to those children. What she engaged in did touch us deeply in the hearts.

Due to Kakum, we know this story. Due to her, we realize one is devoted to herself back to her country, even she is poor and insufficient.

If you recognize this story, you can write her an email. She will be very happy to know you for sure. Email: stoughtonghana@yahoo.com Ms. Agnes Ampong. Address: P.O. Box 1508 Cape Coast, Ghana

【Rishan】

080804- Farmers

After Kakum forest journey this morning, we were heading to palm oil processing factory continually. 2 days ago we had visited Jukwa farmers' farms of palm tree, corns, oranges and vegetables. Today, we were going to realize their processing steps of palm oil.

Ghana farmers have organized a co-up to promote their palm oils. In 2005, they had set up a new automation factory which was subsidized 90% by the government. But it doesn't start using yet till now.

Below is one of the traditional palm oil factories at a private place.
Step 1. Separation - getting palm seeds from palm branches.
Step 2. Boiling - cooking thoroughly fresh flesh.
Step 3. Grinding-separate palm fibers and shells.
Step 4. Boiling - heating palm fibers in order for getting oil easily.
Step 5. Extracting - pressing palm fibers and shells and getting pure oil.
Step 6. Separation - make palm fibers and shells apart.
Step 7. Boiling - only boiling palm fibers in order for getting second time palm oil.
Step 8. Extracting - pressing palm fibers with hot water
Step 9. Boiling - boiling second time oil and evaporating water out of oil. And pour 2nd time oil into 1st time oil. They are finished palm oil of pure and high quality.
Step 10. The palm fibers will regard to match for boiling step 2 & 7.
Step 11. The shells will go to another processing step - Cracking, to get second class oil for the ingredients of soap.

That's is local traditional and primitively processing procedure. But, you may wonder the sanitation, oil quality control, fab safety, palm oil yield rate, packaging and so on. Yes. Indeed. Those are also our queries about the process. Under such shabby and insufficient environment, what they can do may be as followings:
1) Extract high quality palm oils.
2) Sell second-class oils to soap factories for uneatable ingredients.
3) Create their co-up's own supplier chain, like distributor and marketing.
4) Process biodiesel if possible.
Above actions should take times and need long-term planning. Those are what OVF did for such long time in Jukwa.

On the other hand, because the palm oil will be sold in the market with dedicate and well-look package, for marketing, we can establish a communicatable bridge between local artists and farmers. The artists can help design palm oil packaging in order to higher retail price. At present, their packaging takes lots of part in whole cost. So, reconstruct packaging is a kind of chances to gain more profits. Second, one of the ways we can help is to re-design fab flows and make it more efficiently.

By the way, farmers are not different. Their vexations are similar to one another in the world. The weather is main factor to determine plants growth. Water is the second. Youths usually tear themselves away from their hometown to modern big cities. When farmers get older and older, they can not work in farm anymore.

However, Ghanaian farmers seem to be more poor and impoverished because of no irrigation canals at all. The successful plants are merely destined by God. That's why the farmers' efforts usually waste due to the weather. Another problem is lack of agriculture techniques. Therefore, they still make use of ancient techniques which result to bad harvest. As Taiwan's experience, our government put much efforts on agriculture industry. Consequently Taiwan's farm products enjoy highly reputation in the world nowadays. Today, Ghanaian agriculture can't be solved without government's supports. That's the most radical problem of all.

【Rishan】

熱情的中庸之道

算一算，今天剛好是來到迦納的一周紀念日，我們現在位於Cape Coast，是一個古時用來出口非洲黑奴的海港城市，是西方國家現今通往西非的門戶之一。雖然來到了這個具有歷史傷痛的城市，但還是不能忘懷在Winneba生活的種種，尤其是當打開水龍頭，發現流出來的水是黃褐色時，那種情緒真是五味雜陳呀!

在Winneba，我們可以自由地與當地人交談、交朋友，自由地走路回家，自由地買東西，自由地跟路人say hello。這些自由曾經讓我以為我已經夠了解迦納了，以為我可以獨自生活在迦納了，不需要當地人陪同，也可以自給自足。但再怎樣也不會想到，這些信念在我出發到Jukwa時，開始一一崩解。

Jukwa是一個小鎮，大概幾千人的人口，農業為其主要生活型態。穿梭在Jukwa小巷中，不時會看見雞群、山羊群、綿羊群到處覓食，偶爾還有幾隻小貓會探探頭出來，相對地，狗在這邊較不常被看見，應該算是稀有動物吧。與Winneba比較起來，Jukwa比較鄉下一些，手機、網路都較不普遍，不過整體來看，倒蠻像台灣的鄉下地方，到處都可以看到玉米田，棕櫚樹田，還有樸實可愛的農民以及小孩們。
父親為農家出生的我，逢年過節時常舉家開車回到台灣鄉村，與叔叔伯伯們團圓。我還依稀記得，在每次的路途上，高樓大廈沿路逐漸稀少，取而代之的是綠油油的農田以及蔚藍的天空。由於兒時的這些經驗，使得我對這鄉下地方產生了莫名的親切感，讓我好想了解這邊農民生活的一切。

或許是中國古代聖賢們要我體會中庸之道吧，在我最Open my mind的時候，教了我一堂課。在我熱切地分享我隨身物品給迦納大朋友時，面臨差一點丟了手機的危險。原以為自己碰到的是較特殊的案例，沒想到同樣情形竟然也發生在其他團員們當中。當我們被圍在小孩子堆裡，聽到不是天真的笑聲，而是幾句不像是他們會說出來的話:「我想要你的手機」、「你可以給我什麼嗎?」、「我想要這個手電筒」，這些聲音聽在我耳裡顯得格外刺耳。

這種被要東西經驗不禁讓我深思，到底是什麼原因讓他們養成會向陌生人要東西的習慣？是以前外國人的慷慨經驗嗎？還是說他們認為志工就是要給予實質的物質幫助？還是說目前為止還是個案，其實這現象並不普遍？我能否把這經驗放大到整個迦納，甚至到整個非洲呢？

我必須承認，這次的經驗削減了不少我對迦納人的熱情。遇到陌生人時，開始會像在台灣一樣，本能性地先築好一道圍籬，戴著面具，保持警覺心，先聽聽看對方的來意。不再隨意地分享自己身邊的物品，告知自己住的地方。甚至當對方問起你叫什麼名字時，從什麼地方來時，我也會不自覺地考慮，當我說出來時，會不會有什麼未知的風險。一整天下來，我發現，在這裡，我比以前的我還更像外國人，我還是沒融入迦納的生活，我還是不了解這個非洲國家，我還是以前的我，甚至多了些冷漠。

【Lance 8/3】

080803- Peace

Jukwa is Ghanaian dialect which stands for "peace". It is a small area, village inside Kakum National Park.





Jukwa ,where people lives with strolling goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and cows around the road, is comprised a peaceful and mutual rural picture. People are unsophisticated, dress traditional Ghanaian clothing and eat traditional food, Fu Fu, RedRed, Kenkey and Banku.



You may notice that some of the children are barefooted and some wear queer shoes. It is a common appearance of thing that children wear un-fitted clothes as well. Senior children usually carry younger children on back and even carry things on top of the head at the same time.

Things come into the sight lead human beings into primitive age. Human beings live with nature as a circle of life.

While visiting a small village in Jukwa, we sat down in a circle and prayed earnestly and sincerely under a lemon tree. At the moment I was overwhelmed by my perception of tranquility and peace. It was strongly comparison with indifferent urban ecology and people.

If you would like to know my experience here in Ghana, I have to say "treating all living things alike and back to root."

【Rishan】

080803- 拜見大頭目

這是一個總統／行政首長和國王／酋長並存的社會，首長是經由人民選舉而產生，酋長則是世代傳承。我們今天將會拜見兩位酋長，其中一位是Jukua和Dunkwa on Offin的國王（兩個states的國王），King Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III，位階高於所有的酋長。在迦納，國王選舉的方式與中國王位繼承法則「兄終弟及，父死子繼」並不相同，現任國王會從姊妹的兒子們中指定繼承人，如果長老們不同意，會另行推派出另一位候選人，由Queen Mother（家族中的一位女性）做最終的決定。

今天是來到Central Region的第二天，我們來到一個叫Jukwa的部落，Jukwa是一個很純樸的村落，在我們來迦納之前就排定在我們的行程之內了，上網找資料時，發現搜尋引擎也無法提供我們太多的資料，對於這個地方，既是期待，又是好奇。而今天的行程要拜見兩位大人物，一位是Jukwa的酋長，另一位是King Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III，King of Junkua and Dunka on Offin，不知道會是怎樣的場面呢？我的腦子轉個不停……

當我們到訪酋長家時，已經有鼓隊打著鼓迎接我們了，場面十分熱鬧，Joy還赤著腳隨著節奏跳起舞來。見酋長之前，Gadfred（Kafui的哥哥，長得跟他很像，不過更大隻）告訴我們要如何表示敬意，酋長是非常有威望的人，因此在晉見酋長時，必須將身體放低，雙手握住酋長的手，以示尊敬。我們十個人排成一列，輪流與酋長和長老握手問好，當輪到我握酋長的手時，很想近距離看看酋長的長相，一抬頭便與他四目交接，他用很慈祥的笑容回應著我生疏不安的微笑，雖然沒有說任何一句話，但仍然可以感覺到他的威嚴；待我們坐回自己的位子後，長老們一一起身，跟我們每個人握手，表示歡迎之意。接著Mus便說明我們的來意，不知怎麼的Joy跟酋長聊到台灣在外交上的艱難之處，長老們好奇台灣沒有迦納大使館或領事局，我們是如何申辦迦納簽證的，待我說完我們護照飄洋過海的故事，不僅是長老們吃驚，我自己都嚇了一跳。

From Taiwan to Ghana，這段路好遠！

酋長為了歡迎我們的來訪，請我們每人一瓶汽水（當地很流行用可樂、雪碧這些飲料招待客人），我們還輪流介紹自己的名字和科系，雖然我心想為什麼要介紹科系，他們會對我們讀什麼系有興趣嗎？還是我們不具什麼話題性，只能介紹這些？總之，在我神遊的同時，Joy的話題也讓我離地了……

就在我開開心心地喝著飲料的時候，有兩位打扮得超特別的女性入座，她們身上所戴的首飾非常具有特色，臉上的彩妝也與眾不同，我一直覺得黑人的妝非常特別，她們的眼影是極深的紫色，唇彩是淡金色，整個色調把她們裝扮得有如大地之母，而她們的氣質更是高雅到我這輩子不可能達到的境界，直到會面結束，我的眼光一直無法離開她們。就在會面結束，我猛纏著她們拍照之時，我和紅茶的尿尿小童症開始發作了，只好厚著臉皮跟酋長借廁所，還趁著上廁所之便順便參觀一下酋長的家。

接下來要拜會的是國王了，光想到就很興奮，我竟然要晉見國王耶！國王跟酋長一樣，並沒有在家中接見我們，而是在屋外的廣場進行，出席的還有長老們，身上的衣著是迦納的傳統服飾，僅用一塊布把身體以特殊的方式包起，露出結實的右肩及右手臂，而國王則是不發一語地端坐著（後來參加Mus部落的祭典時，才知道原來酋長在公開場合只能說當地語言，不能說英語）。晉見國王時，一樣是雙手執起國王的手並問候，臉上還掛著友善的微笑，並誠摰地看著他；一想到晉見中國皇帝要雙膝著地，還要離他遠遠的以防被當成刺客，頭要低到看不見皇帝皇帝也看不見你，相較之下，迦納國王就親切多了。

又是另一回合自我介紹，我很沒創意地用一模一樣的台詞，第二次果然講的比較順，也比較沒那麼畏畏縮縮了，果然練英文之前要先練膽子，尤其是在這種隆重的場合，是我最不擅長應付的。

給國王的禮物除了學校的紀念品外，還有極具中國特色的筷子（好笑的是上面竟然有Made in Japan的字樣），長老們對筷子很有興趣，紛紛拿起筷子學習怎麼使用，結果長老們每次試夾失敗，後面的人便爆出笑聲，直到後來我才發現連我自己也夾不起可樂瓶蓋，害我很不好意思。

隨著場面漸漸熱絡，長老們開始問我們一連串的問題，舉凡菜市場問題如氣候等都紛紛出爐，後來問到人口（population）時，我愣了一下，這個字聽起來好熟啊！可是為什麼我卻想不起來是什麼意思，馬字典跳出來幫我翻譯：汙染（pollution）。什麼！這裡的長老會不會太有智慧啊！竟然問我台灣有什麼汙染，這問題當然要讓專業的來，我馬上搶口說了台灣現有的汙染，正準備要說環保議題時，長老便用簡單的字重複了一次他的問題：我是在問台灣有多少人啦！害我尷尬得想挖個洞躲起來。

長老們驚訝於我的答案：二千三百萬人，還記得前陣子有則新聞是台灣第二千三百萬名寶寶出生，雖然一直知道台灣是人口密度很高的國家（636 人／平方公里），但從小便生活在這樣的環境，習慣擁擠的街道、與人擦肩而過時的閃躲和數也數不清的車子，那天飛機降落前，我從空中看著迦納這片土地，那是一大片一大片的綠，極少的建築物和交通工具點綴其中，23萬餘平方公里的土地，只居住了二千二百萬多人，這是人口密度只有93人／平方公里的國家。

而我們遇見了許多人，許多奇妙的人，在這個比台灣大上六倍的國家。

從我們進入Jukwa之後，我們遇見Mustafah、Paul、Steven……好多好多的人，好多我們在自己國家裡找到的熟悉的身影，那種感覺無法解釋，只消體會就能感覺到發自內心真摰地喜歡。

雖然今天的行程很滿，從早上參觀部落、上教堂做禮拜；下午拜見酋長和頭目、參觀Frank Temma Good News Club和與農民們會談，但卻讓我看見有別於Winneba以外的迦納：農民的樸實、孩子的活力和酋長的威嚴。

你可以想像嗎？當我們到訪Frank Temma Good News Club時，我們只能停留短短二十五分鐘，但孩子們卻又唱又跳了二十分鐘！孩子們看著我們的眼神，既是好奇，又是興奮，每個人拉開嗓門唱著歌時，分貝高到我耳朵一直耳嗚，跟著他們又唱又跳的好開心（此時心中的OS是台灣的孩子你們要振作點啊！），總之，這是我看過最神奇的唱跳不斷二十分鐘了，雖然我聽不大懂他們在唱什麼，雖然我很害怕我們帶的活動鳥鳥的他們不喜歡，但之後竟然在路上遇到小朋友對我們唱一比丫丫，那種感覺我這輩子都忘不了。

我想，我們這群人的足跡，正一步一步留在這裡，隨著蜿蜒的路，緜延不停

【Zoe】

080802- Eco-being

I can't believe it! It is a real Arcadia in front of me. Previously I did't quite realize what is co-existence and the definition of ecosystem. Now I understood completely. Here, a "Hands Cabbage" wildlife restaurant which manages tourism business is arranged and constructed an organic ecosystem.

It is so amazing that I've never seen it before in Taiwan. The main building is located above a pool and a great of papaya trees, passion fruit trees surrounding it. Inside the pool are few crocodiles moving or sleeping. You can choose a table by the pool to look all around.

Unexpectedly, you can't image that there are hundreds of nests hanging on the trees. Sorry, I can not distinguish what the species is. But I ensure that the sound is the most pleasing melody that you may not miss in your life. Sitting down on the sofa leisurely makes you throw aside all my troubles and fusses at that moment.

The eco-environment is extremely fabulous to one who is used to live in a bustling city, like Taipei. If I was not here, I might not really experience a mind of Heaven.

【Rishan】

前進雨林

今天我們將前往雨林區JUKWA
約一個禮拜的時間，將會待在雨林區體會當地生活
不過當地沒有Internet
所以blog將會暫時沒有update
請大家見諒 Orz

http://picasaweb.google.com/ghanagogogo
是我們在迦納的一點點照片
由於照片相當多，需要多花點時間整理
以及網路頻寬等限制
所以之後將會繼續上傳
敬請期待 =)

see you next week =p

080801- chatting

"We are pride of being Africans. We are pride of being Ghanaians. Ghana is a rich country. Africa is a rich continent. You will be loving staying here indeed. " told by Eddit, a technician working for OVF.

During the interview with Eddit, "Ghana" was repeated so many times and was complimented in the way of people, culture, land and even education with bilingual language.

If you ask Taiwanese the same questions, do you like Taiwan? How about Taiwan? I guess our answers would be not as pride as Ghanaians. Are we pride of being "Taiwanese"? Do we love our country so much? Are we happy living in Taiwan? Is Taiwan beautiful? Will foreigners enjoy Taiwan's culture absolutely? Is Taiwan complimented in the way of education, technology, people, political, transportation and so on?

The sky is clear up as if just washed out. This morning was so beautiful to enjoy the short chatting with Ghanaians face by face. They were talking fluently and endlessly all about their deeply opinions. I am so happy to be here. I love everything here that I saw, contacted and interacted.

【Rishan】

080801- what can you do for your country

Today we are divided into 2 groups for "adventure". One is for OVF ICT development and the other is undertaking primary school visit. I am assigned to the school visit which is called Saint Pauls Methodist School nearby ODiV .

While we appear in front of those students, they are surprised and excited. Some are running out shyly and some are encircling us curiously. Then we are invited into their auditorium, and find a female English teacher at the back. Of course we chat with her and explain our purpose in Ghana. We are again invited to another side and sit in front of some students who are either class leaders or higher-grade students.

After introducing ourselves officially, I ask them one question of that "what do you want to do while growing up?"I much marvel at their answers to be a surgeon, layer, nurse, chemical engineer, agriculture engineer and biologist.

Afterward, they ask us the same questions and we replies to housewife, CEO of a company, boss and so on. These students are eager to say something more and keep querying more and more questions. Meanwhile, a boy, 14 years old, asks us "what can you do for your country?" Suddenly we are all dumfounded for seconds, and I screw up my courage saying carefully "pollution protection".

To be frankly, I do not ever think about this question at all. To live in well off country like Taiwan, we are out of under developed economy for a long time. From childhood to grown-up, the issue is reversed rationally to "what can our country do for us?" Have we ever think of this question and really take into an action for our country? For me, my answer is "Never".

While interviewing with those primary students, the time point is static without any conscious. Aain, what can you do for your country???? A lot of question marks go down deeply in my heart. And you?

【Rishan】

080801- 回家

做了一整天的文書處理，腰都快斷了。

禮拜五的晚上，我們依舊在Open digital village center待到很晚才回家。所謂「很晚」其實也不過才九點多；所謂的「家」，真是難以定義，到迦納快一個禮拜了，還沒打電話回家，也不大想家，偶爾想起媽媽，知道她對我的信任，也就沒那麼把打電話回家這事掛在心上。

Jacob和Sulai陪我們走回家，走捷徑穿過Uncle Rich School的校園，地上因早上下的大雨而泥濘不堪，Jacob細心地提醒我們要小心，笑著說：「This is Africa.」

哈，這就是非洲。

Jacob走到路口就要跟我們道別了，他說他要搭車回Kumasi的父母家，我才意識到今天是禮拜五晚上，很多人都要回家。跟我們不同的是，他們是說「go to my parents' place」而不是「go home」，我要到什麼時候才會有自己的家呢？又陷入沉思。生日歌把我拉了回來，原來隔天就是Jacob的生日，我們唱完英文版改唱中文版，一位經過的婦人開始搖起身體來，還跟我們一起鼓掌一起慶祝，Jacob跟大家擁抱，路人也跑過來跟大家擁抱，大家就這樣抱成一片。

這也是非洲。

路上仍有許多陌生人跟我們這群「少數民族」打招呼，無論是熱情的Hello，還是靦腆的微笑，或是匆匆的一瞥，我們十個亞洲人在這裡出現，的確是引起不小的關注。

我跟Sulai就聊開了，其實閒聊的話題不外就是文化差異的討論，問人家一個問題，人家也反問你同樣的問題，不過很多答案都只是個人的想法，因此也只能參考參考，像是平均結婚年齡和國民所得這種有標準答案的問題，問不同人還是有不同答案，但是聊天就是聊天，想這麼多聊就聊不開了。

走過Babara工作的餐廳，再過不久就是我們的Homestay family了，從Open digital village center到Homestay family約三十分鐘，但因為我們一大群人一起走，邊走邊聊邊開玩笑邊大笑，所以每次都會走很久才回到家。現在想起來就覺得好笑，確切的內容因為沒營養又低級所以不大記得了，但那種一大群人一起玩一起笑的感覺真的是不得了的珍貴。

迦納人的熱情感染了我們，不習慣逢人便擁抱的不淺也漸漸學會不再僵硬，阿熊可以自然地跟女生手牽手走路，後宮三人組可以咨意地三八。也許在台灣我們放不開的，在這裡就變得自然；在不同的國度，體驗了不一樣的文化民情，我的眼睛睜得更大了，想看看這世界可以多廣，能不能在這麼多的相似中看見差異；我的心放得鬆了，想試試心可以有多寬，可不可以裝下這麼多的迷人的不同。

這世界因為不了解彼此的差異，產生許多分歧紛爭，但也因為不了解，所以神秘迷人，因為不同，所以多彩多姿。

我的足跡，在非洲，一步一步，back to the root。

【Zoe】

080801- 第三階段

如果你問我對於此行的期待，我會用一貫的答案回答：「沒有很多」。如果你問我為什麼，我會跟你說一個故事，一個也許你早就體認到的道理。　　

剛到部落當課輔老師的時候，部落裡的人很熱情的招待我，那時候覺得大家人都很好、很客氣，於是漸漸喜歡上這個地方；住了一段時間之後，流言蜚語聽了不少，不時還會聽到誰誰誰為了爭地把人家的院子埋了，誰誰誰為了搶民宿客人而傷了和氣，那時候母親問起我過得好不好，說到山仍是一派迷人，說到人便開始搖頭；直到住了快一年之後，發現一下山就得溼疹，一提到別人談論尖石鄉耳朵便豎了起來，已經把部落當成第二個家，即使下山去念書心仍懸在山裡。　　

那次在國際志工培訓營聽到坦尚尼亞團的龍神父說的一席話，真是說到我心坎裡了。他說當你到一個新環境時，有三個階段的體認：剛開始的時候，你對什麼都好奇，什麼都覺得有趣，也覺得每個人都很好；漸漸發現不能接納的地方，開始跟當地人有磨擦，並且暗中發誓再也不要回來這裡；如果還待得下去的話，最後你會發現：其實人都一樣，只要是人就會有紛爭，爭名爭利爭雞毛蒜皮。想起在部落待了快半年的時候，看到Discovery一系列的節目「化外之民」，一位從美國海軍陸戰隊退役的軍人，深入蠻荒之地介紹部落文化，結局不外是雖然部落不似文明國家如此先進，但居民們熱情親切的招待，讓人溫暖至極、感動不已，每次看到結局都覺得好矯情，懷疑他只待了一個禮拜，會不會所看到的只是表面，當然，也可能是配合節目效果而做出這樣的結論（總不能採訪人家又說人家爛吧）。　　

總之，因為此行只待五個禮拜（如果可以，我會想待半年以上），所以我希望能把狀態直接調整到第三階段，不希望第二階段太難熬而放棄更深入認識一個國家／地方的機會，因此我不抱太多期待，以免招來太多失望。　　目前對於迦納的印象是跟二十年前的台灣很像：滿地的垃圾、飲用水是地下水、某些地區的人民依舊居住土塊厝……。我們住的地方算是高級住宅，環境非常好，三餐有人打理，晚上走路回家有人陪（現在沒有了），有的時候房東太太還會把男生們的髒衣服搶去洗（可能看不下去他們的洗衣方式吧），在這裡，我們像極是溫室的花朵被全然地保護，OVF請了Shine來安排我們的行程，但卻像是我們的褓姆陪在我們身邊，擔心我們在路上隨便買東西吃拉肚子、擔心我們晚上自己走回家被搶、擔心這個、擔心那個的。除了感激，其實有點哭笑不得。　　

今天的行程分成兩組進行，一組留在Open Digital Center對OVF的職員進行採訪，另一組則前往另一所私立學校參訪（Saint Pauls Meihodist School)）。　　

帶我們到學校的是Jacob和Hakeem，Hakeem的兄弟就是這所學校的主任，首先我們訪問了一位英文老師，她說她教書遇到最大的問題是孩子沒有準時繳交作業，這裡的孩子上課非常認真，回答問題或發問都很積極，學生及家長對老師十分尊重，跟早期尊師重道的台灣教育十分相似。如果今天訪問的是一個台灣的老師，我想他遇到的「最大問題」將不會只是「沒交作業」這麼簡單，隨著科技發展，資訊爆炸時代來臨，迫使孩子們更加早熟，若無師長加以陪伴、管教，很容易讓孩子的學習停滯或求學態度偏差，而老師們也面臨日漸棘手的問題。台灣的老師所面臨的壓力多來自於家長（成績、升學）及社會（教學方式），而當地的老師的壓力多來自於學生，所謂家家有本難念的經，我想真的要在當地待上一陣子，才能體會老師所說的問題和知曉問題的癥結點吧！　　

迦納的教育體系與台灣的不同，先要念九年的Primary school，畢業之後可以選擇就讀三年制的Senior high school或Secondary school，前者畢業可繼續就讀四年制的University或Collage，後者畢業後可繼續就讀三年制的Polytechnic school。Primary school一學年有三個學期，三學期共九個月，新學年從九月開始，教學科目包括：數學、科學、社會、美術、音樂、體育、英語、法語及當地語言。現在是七月底，Primary school的孩子們下禮拜期末考完就放假了，看他們一下課就從教室蜂湧而出，我想應該是沒什麼課業壓力吧！這所私立學校升大學的比例是30%，在迦納來說，私立學校比公立學校的師資優良許多，因此可以想見在迦納，念大學的人並不多。
　　

學校安排了十位國中學生（平圴年齡14歲）讓我們進行採訪，與其說是採訪，倒像是交流，我們問問題，也被問了一堆問題。問孩子們未來想當什麼，有律師、生物學家、外科醫生、足球員、工程師、農夫等等，而且幾乎是搶著回答，結果他們也反問我們以後想當什麼，因為這個「以後」實在離我太近，我反而答不出來。小時候人家問以後想當什麼，都可以很輕鬆的回答，因為年紀小，以為離實踐的那天還很遠，現在這個年紀，發現出社會的那天就在眼前，卻回答不出個所以然，只能心虛地傻笑應對，真是汗顏。後來還問孩子們可以為自己的國家做什麼，孩子們紛紛說出他們的理想抱負，結果反問我們的時候，只有姊姊回答，而我則是又當機在一旁，因為我從沒想過這個問題，再度汗顏。孩子們問我們的國旗有什麼涵義，解釋了半天說不出個所以然來，結果Jacob要我們問他們迦納國旗代表什麼涵義，只見一個小妹妹從容不迫地說出：「紅色是獨立先烈的鮮血；黃色代表迦納盛產的黃金；綠色是蓊鬱的雨林；黑色的五芒星則引領著國家走向康莊大道」。雖然我們早在出發前上網查過國旗的樣式和代表的涵義，但聽到十四歲的小朋友以流利的英文親口說出，還是很震撼，三度汗顏。　　

雖然早就聽Joy說過，迦納因為是西非殖民國家中最早獨立的，因此人民擁有崇高的自尊，但今日一見，才感受到那種強烈的民族意識。　　

Are you proud of your country?　　
Do you like to live in your country?　　
Both of my answers are yes. Yes, I do.

【Zoe】