Why I am writing this
I am starting this field note series before the trip so the process does not disappear into memory.
This trip to Ghana is not only about arriving somewhere. It is about noticing what changes in me as I prepare, travel, listen, reconnect, and return.
What I want to pay attention to
- Family stories I have heard before but now understand differently.
- Places that make history feel close instead of abstract.
- Daily rhythms: food, language, roads, worship, work, rest, and conversation.
- What feels familiar, what feels foreign, and what reveals something about home.
- Questions about identity, responsibility, gratitude, and belonging.
Before departure
What am I expecting from this trip?
What am I nervous about?
What do I hope to understand better by the time I come back?
Field log
- Date:
- Location:
- People:
- Moment I want to remember:
- One thing I learned:
- One question I am carrying:
Photos and media to add
- Packing or preparation photo.
- Airport or travel photo.
- First street, meal, room, or landscape that makes the trip feel real.
Afterthought
Write one honest paragraph here after the first day of travel. Keep it specific. A small true detail is better than a broad summary.