Escaping my comfort Zone

by Bernard Vanderpuye (Ghana)

Making a local connection Ghana

20th August 2015, I had just finished a 3 years HND course awaiting to be posted by government to undertake a 1year mandatory National Service. My phone vibrated I checked and it was my posting details. I had been posted to Ahafo Kenyasi, a 9hour bus journey from my city, wow. My family members were all complaining why I had to be posted that far but what they didn't know is that, I personally requested to be posted far from my comfort zone. 1st September 2015, I set off to the bus station, upon reaching there I was told if I want a bus to that side of the country then I should come after 6pm. The other alternative is to join a bus to a city close to my destination. So I joined bus to Kumasi which is a 5hours journey then another one to Sunyani. I got to Sunyani around 7pm. My exhausted and stranded face can tell you I am already regretting my decision to leave my comfort zone. The journey is not over yet, I had to join a Taxi for another 2hours. Standing by my big luggage, this tall man approached me and ask if I needed help, I told him where I was going and the place I will be lodging. He smiled at me and told me to follow him, he carried my big bag to a taxi packed across the street. He introduced himself as Kane and told me he lives in that town and also knows the house I will be staying at. Is this not a miracle?. Well my face was all with smiles and I felt a bit calm now. 9:27pm, we arrived at this town with pothole roads and so many kids were running around at that time, wow, this is a lively town. Kane told me there are celebrating because that was the day the community elected it's leaders. He drove me straight to the house were the Landlord and his wife were both sitted outside chatting. I introduced myself and immediately the wife assisted me with my luggage to my room. Not so nice of a room like what I am used to in the city but I was prepared for this so I wasn't bothered that much. Kane refused to charge me for his service and rather offered me a drink at a nearby Pub. I had wanted to refuse the offer but to avoid malaria I had to spray my new room with insecticides. So I change my clothes really quick, sprayed my room and left to go meet Kane at the bar. We had a long conversation, he told me all about the town were to go and places I should avoid. It was almost 12am now and I got to report to work by 9am so I left to house. In front of my door was a bucket water, hmm who is this good samaritan?, the house had to shower or pipe if u need water for something u will have go fetch from a borehole close to the house, something you don't see at the city. Just to be at the safer side I decided not to use it. I heard a knock on my door, woke up checked my time and realised it's passed 8am and I was still in bed. Well I have to check who knocked my door, there stands this well dressed Lady holding a cane. I quickly greeted then she asked why i didn't use the water last night, I told here because I didn't know who kept it there. She introduced herself as Benewaa a junior high school teacher. She insisted I use the water to bath and there was a breakfast in a basket waiting for me. Damn I am enjoying this place already.. At work I kept thinking about Benewaa. I was in a hurry to get back home to have a proper chat with her. The idea was to escape my comfort zone, I didn't expect to come find love. 5months passed we have been doing almost everything together. We stayed like real couple till I completed my service and returned home.