It’s true – they are only children. I just sat down to start writing “Ghana Reset” based on that exact realization.

Two days ago, I turned my charm back on for the little kids who tentatively call out “Bloonie” and was richly rewarded by shy smiles and demure “Eye’s”. Their mothers seemed pleased to have their Afia back. Or perhaps I imagined that… The packs of pre-teen street kids in Kumasi are still over-the-top cheeky but I can ignore them.

I must have sensed your comment, written two days ago. Thanks for helping bring me back down to earth.

Once when I was living in Kenya, I stopped one of the groups of children yelling ‘Msungu, Musungu’ (which means white person). I told them my name…after that they started calling all white people by my name.

I actually remember it quite fondly now, though in the two years I lived there, indeed I must have been shouted at thousands of times. How nice to be so admired — without doing anything — that kids yell in happiness when they see us.

I am living in Accra now. I think the children are more used to seeing white people, so there’s little clamoring in joy. They still do give me more honor and respect than I probably deserve, however.