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Mardi Gras Madness
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LEGON JOURNAL:
Hello Ezralites, this is Caitlin, probably better known to most of you as VioletteFay. As many of you know, for the past three months I have been in Ghana, West Africa. I may be very far from the nearest Ezralite, but regardless it’s been the most incredible experience of my life. And I’ve even managed to create a few BTE converts among my fellow students and Ghanaians! How did this whole journey begin? I started about a year ago when I decided that the opportunity to study abroad was just too good to pass up. I might have many future chances for overseas travel, but none would be as accessible and well-planned as this study abroad program. And so, I began searching for a study location. I could easily see myself traveling to England, Ireland or Greece on my own, so I decided to pick a location that I would never go to, or have to opportunity to go to, on my own. Somehow, I narrowed my choices down to Ghana. Despite some resistance and hesitation from my parents, here I am. My trip's focus is on "experiential learning." I’ve been all over the country and have seen all kinds of amazing things. I’ve endured terrifying taxi rides, swam in a waterfall, danced in the rain with an Ewe dance troupe and ridden on the back of a crocodile. It has been an amazing semester. I’ve danced a hundred dances, drummed dozens of beats, ridden on busses for endless hours, been beaten down by malaria, but I wouldn't ask for a second of it back. I’m getting used to the open sewage gutters at the side of every
road, spicy food for every meal, and traffic, but every day I learn
something new about this culture or myself. The relative poverty, yet
extreme and genuine happiness of the Ghanaian people continually amazes
me.
Ghana's Flag |
A Model of Ghana's Cape Coast Slave Castle From this scene of immense pain, I went to a beach resort. It is a strange feeling when things that are completely natural in the States – air conditioning, coffee shops, supermarkets and beaches – leave you feeling like a rich, spoiled, "obruni" (as Westerners are known here). That night, I camped out in a rainforest. Monkeys, birds, and who knows what other creatures serenaded me all night long. Then they provided the soundtrack for a sunrise hike through the forest depths. This is one experience I cannot even begin to explain -- who ever envisions themselves camping out in a RAINFOREST? Certainly not me! I really regret that I can’t bring each of you here to experience what I am telling you, because that is truly the only way to pass on the feelings and emotions of this trip. Which brings me to the Ezra connection I have developed here. During one of the (literally) hundreds of hours of bus rides, I was listening to "At The Stars." A new wave of understanding came over me – sometimes experiences translate so well into songs it's as if they were written for you, and this was one of those times. I had my Ezra moment, and then "I Do" came on. I started to think what I usually do: "Yeah, someone knows how I feel!" But then it hit me. No, no one knows how I feel. No one is experiencing the feelings I am feeling right now. It’s a little sad to think that I won't really be able to share these experiences, but it makes me appreciate them that much more while they are happening. And so, as excited as I am to come home, eat cereal and ice cream, and take real, running showers, I know that there is so much to love and enjoy here. I try to face each day with a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn. And, oh, how I've learned... VioletteFay, Thanks so much for checking in. Come home soon (we'll save a spot up front for you). LEGENDARY BBC DJ PLAYS BTE While Better Than Ezra remains relatively unknown in the United Kingdom, the band has received some consistent air play on BBC radio over the last year thanks to a guy named Bob Harris. Who’s Bob Harris, you say? Simply put, Harris is a living legend who has been involved with rock and country music on UK radio and television for decades. For many years Harris was the presenter of the famous TV rock show, curiously named the Old Grey Whistle Test. Harris also currently hosts no less than 3 shows on BBC radio. His eclectic playlists feature both well- and lesser-known music from the 1960s to the modern times. Over the past couple of years he has consistently featured BTE music on his Saturday and 6 Music shows page, but he has exclusively played tracks from "Deluxe" and "Closer." Hopefully Bob will some day discover the joys of "Friction Baby" "How Does Your Garden Grow?" and "Artifakt," as well as the forthcoming CD. Harris' webpage contains a link to the BTE homepage and has a searchable database of songs played on Bob’s radio shows. A recent search yielded the following on BTE airplay: 6 Music Show, April 13, 2003, I DO
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