Week Three

Hi guys!

Well, today has officially been the hottest day I've experienced here.  It is a bit exhausting; there's not really a place to escape from the heat. And I have my first sunburn, but I must say, I'm pretty proud of myself for making it three weeks without one. 

Today I traveled into Osu to check out an orphanage there.  So far I've tried two different ones, but there seems to be a pretty intense reference/resume process to go through before you can actually start working. I suppose it's good to be thorough, but so far it has just been a little frustrating.  A few of my fellow ISEPers and I are going to try to check out a school/home for autistic children.  From what I've heard the people who work there have no experience with special needs kids, and slap them around to deal with them.  

Later, on our way back to Legon campus our tro tro smashed into a car.  Lots of yelling and fifteen minutes of sweltering heat later we drove away.  Apparently, there isn't much to be done about collisions. You just pay for them.  I'm starting to get used to my life passing before my eyes when I travel.  After the incident, our tro tro stopped running about five more times...thankfully, it always started again. The little tro tro that could.

I made it to all of my classes this week. It's about a 25 minute walk to each class.  They are...interesting.  My smallest class is about 100 people, and my largest about 700.  My Theories of Development class is by far my favorite.  The professor was forty five minutes late to class, but once he got there I really appreciated what he had to say.  Some of my professors literally read from a book and have us copy it down word for word.  It's rather tedious, but I suppose it's necessary because most of the students here can't afford the books.  

My friends and I are looking into a trip up to Egypt some time during the semester - maybe I'll get to practice my Arabic!

Peace and Love Man!

Well, I’ve officially completed my first week of classes.  However, I haven’t actually had a single class.  College works a little differently here, that is to say much much slower.  The lack of productivity is starting the irritate me, but I keep reminding myself THIS IS AFRICA.

Wednesday night a lot of exchange students and I went to Reggae night at the bar on the beach. It was amazing! We were literally hanging out on the ocean. There were a few live bands that sang Bob Marley songs while we danced around fire pits in the sand.  The entire place was swarming with Rastafarians (peace and love man), and they were hands down the most entertaining dance partners I have ever had. However, they tend to want something from you (money, phone number, etc) so we were always a little wary of their excessive friendliness.  The next morning a few of us went back to the beach to hang out and nap and there was still one man passed out in the sand from the night before…poor guy.

Yesterday we traveled about an hour north of Accra to a village called Aburi to see some gardens and hit up a 10-mile hike through the mountains.  About a mile into our hike we came across this hut where two Rastafarians lived. The first thing they said was, “Hi.  Want some pot pot?” Don’t worry mom, we said no. They had a few guitars lying around, and the one guy without pants insisted on playing a song for us.  I was expecting it to be really good because I figured he had a lot of time on his hands out in the middle of nowhere.  I was wrong. It was terrible but also completely hilarious; thankfully, I was able to video a bit of it.  After his performance, he instructed us that we had to turn around and take different path.  Basically, he didn’t want us to see his field of weed around the next corner.

The rest of the hike was beautiful, and I only fell in one stream of water!  I felt like I was in fern gulley the entire time. And I saw the biggest tree I have ever seen in my life.  I’m pretty sure it was larger around than the redwoods in California.  At the end of the hike these “tour guides” informed us that we were supposed to pay four cedi each to take the hike, and apparently we were trying to cheat them.  One of the girls who had lead the expedition argued our ignorance but that only resulted in attempts to arrest her.  So we ended up paying; I swear they will do anything in this country to make money off the obrunis (white people). 

Tro tro rides never disappoint me.  I feel something interesting happens every time. On the way to the market the other day a Ghanaian man turned to me and said, “I love you.”  He then attempted to get my number and address so he could come visit me. Thankfully, I’ve learned the correct response to these inquiries, and it is, “I’m sorry, we don’t do that in my culture.”

I’ve never been more thankfully for washing machines in my entire life as I am here.  I did my laundry in the primitive fashion a few days ago, and it was absolutely exhausting.  Four hours!  Seriously, the washing machine is moving up my list of best modern conveniences NOT available to me, right next to ice cream.

Today, I’m going into the city to buy some American food and DVDs (they have everything still in theaters in the US).  And hopefully enjoy some air conditioning in the process.  Next weekend we’re headed to Cape Coast – exciting!

Akwaaba!

Hello friends! Akwaaba!

I have officially experienced my first African Sabbath, and I must say it was probably one of my favorite days on the continent thus far. A few other exchange students and I awoke this morning and trekked thirty minutes to the Legon Interdenominational Church across campus.  While I was probably the most underdressed person in attendance, I felt completely at home there.  I left wishing I were a black woman with rhythm and the singing abilities that seem to be unique to their race. I also wished I had a flashy African hat like the ones a few of the elder women were wearing. It was an absolutely wonderful experience, and I was encouraged by everything said as well as the scripture readings and prayers.  There just seemed to be a sincerity and passion that is sometimes absent in some churches in the states.  It really felt like home there, and I hope to go back soon.

After church we were taken on an expedition to the beach. It was most definitely interesting.  Each of us had to pay an entrance fee of 4 cedi, which in Ghana is a lot of money.  I would say three to four hundred people were packed onto a piece of ocean that was about the length of an American football field. Once again people trying to get us to buy fried plantains, bracelets, sunglasses, etc. surrounded us, but other than that I loved the atmosphere.  People just seemed to be happy to hang out and play football or dance to music and watch the beach performers.

It was interesting to see that many of the locals couldn’t actually swim, yet would jump into the waves anyway.  There was one man with a whistle making sure we swam between the two flags that designated safe waters.  I asked a local if the man would jump in the water to save us if we were drowning, and he informed me that Ghanaians expect white people to be able to swim so the “lifeguard” would probably let us save ourselves.  Helpful.

At one point we were walking on the beach, and a few men had drawn a line in the sand and were demanding we pay 50 pesewa (about 45 cents) to cross.  One of the girls with me proceeded to set down her bag and run through the shallow water to the other side of the line in protest.  We found it hilarious, but a local told us if we hadn’t been white the men probably would have chased us with machetes.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes, but the students here tell me it’s a waste to go because the professors won’t bother showing up for class until a few weeks into the semester.  It’s going to be interesting. I’m amazed by how relaxed schedules seem to be here. Only one out of five clocks here is even set to the right time.  I’m pretty sure my concept of time will be ruined by the time I return to the states.

I’m hoping to hit up some gardens that are supposed to be beautiful just north of Accra some time this week.  Apparently the dry season is coming soon bringing the death of many plants. I must say I’m not looking forward to seeing the beautiful trees wither.

Blessings and love!

Becca

I'm in Africa

I’m in Legon, Ghana! Finally, after all the planning and a twenty-two hour journey I am in Africa. It is amazingly beautiful! I love the winding, huge trees and ant (possibly termite) hills that are taller than me and the bright orange lizards and friendly people. I’ve even seen a monkey. I keep feeling as if I am living in the Lion King.

It’s been about five days since I’ve arrived and so far most of what the other exchange students and I have been doing is orientation related. There were a few mind-numbing presentations, but thankfully those are finished. Yesterday, we took a campus tour. It’s about a twenty-minute walk just to make it onto the main campus. I’m estimating we walk at least five miles everyday – no big deal. The campus is huge and sprawling and seems to be its own city, complete with hair salons, clinics, bars, markets, and cafes. It’s going to be an adventure to find my way around, let alone register for classes. The registration process here is bizarre and completely inefficient, and I’m absolutely dreading it.

Today we were finally able to leave campus and head into Medina Market, via tro tro (communal taxi buses). While I can’t understand what the drivers are yelling, this method of transportation is extremely inexpensive (about 15-20 cents a ride) and pretty much what I’ll be using for the rest of my time here. A tro tro is essentially a mini van fit for about twenty-five people. One of the girls with our group was proposed to by a Ghanaian on our ride back to campus, but she didn’t find it as humorous as I did. The market itself was huge and full of people yelling “Obruni (white girl) Come here!” almost every time we passed a new stand. A few Ghanaians even reached out to feel my white skin and compare it to their own. While I was prepared for chaos, I actually felt quite safe and comfortable the entire time.

Tomorrow we are headed to the Accra Mall. I’m not quite sure what I should expect. I’m told it’s just like America, but I highly doubt that. On Sunday we will all be heading to church (which I hear lasts around five hours) and then down into Accra to the beach.

Tonight I made a new friend, Lorenzo, at the Hostel’s computer lab. While he spent an hour trying to make the wireless Internet connect to my laptop (finally some success!) he told me of his passion for rap and gospel music. He then proceeded to play me a song about Obama (who seems to be very popular here) and sing a few verses of the lovely American rap song “I’m in love with a stripper.” We then discussed the Bible.

The fruit here puts American produce to shame.

I love and miss you all!

Back in the states

Thankfully, Anna and I made it home safely from Haiti - after one cancelled flight, a few delays, being stranded at the airport, and being kicked off of a flight. But thankfully, all is well now.  I'll be heading to Ghana next sunday.  It seems it's all coming at me rather quickly, but I've definitely learned a lot in the last few weeks. 

When doing missions work in 3rd world countries:

1. know the language

2. have a vehicle

3. get a phone number in case of being stranded in airports

4. american bug-spray is ineffective

5. people greatly appreciate smiles

I hope you all had a lovely new years - I spent mine watching fireworks and listening to the various Haitian parties (techno and latin music included) until five a.m.  I truly appreciate all your prayers and thoughts. God bless!