Sorry for the Delay!!!

I just realized I haven’t updated the blog in a while. My fault. It’s weird though….a lot has been going on in Ghana, but at the same time, NOTHING has been going on. Let’s see what I can think of.

Weekend in Cape Coast

CIEE took us on an excursion to Cape Coast about two weeks ago. The bus ride that should’ve been two hours turned into four because of traffic and the narrow roads leading down to the coast. When we finally arrived, our first stop was the Cape Coast Castle. There, we did a typical tourist tour, got to explore the dungeons and such, and were spoken to about the history of the slave trade. To be completely honest, I didn’t pay too much attention to what the man was saying because it’s all be sterilized to meet the needs of tourists. However, physically being in the castle was very taxing for me. I was in my own world trying to attach history to a tangible place. It was a lot. A few people on the program were talking crazy at the mouth, so I withdrew myself so I wouldn’t have to act out on the tour...

We then went to Global Mamas which is a fair trade batik fabric company here in Ghana. We got to make our own printed fabric, tie-dye it, and submit it for our CIEE team competition. I did a lot of printing, so when they were dyeing the fabric, I stayed outside and played with the kids around of workshop leader’s shop. In typical Ghanaian fashion, they kids were amazed by us because we’re “Obruni/Obibini.” Some of them even started to cry when we were leaving. That was cute lol. It was fun nonetheless! The following day, we went to Kakum National Park to do the infamous canopy walks through the jungle. I loved it! I hike up wasn’t bad at all. It only took about 25-30 minutes to hike to the canopies, and even less time to hike down when we were done.

After lunch, we boarded an airplane sized bus and headed back to Accra!

Classes in Ghana?

I still don’t feel like I’m a student in Ghana! The support staff at UG are on what seems like a permanent strike, so my classes barely meet. They are locking up classrooms, offices, and departments in efforts to demand pay that they’re owed, so there’s no way for lecturers to hold classes. I thoroughly annoyed with the “education” system here. Of the classes I’ve been to so far, my History of Western Medicine, African Dance Technique, and Landmarks in African American Literature courses are my favorite. (On another note, Ghanaian students that I’ve encountered know close to nothing about Af-Am history. It’s crazy! I was in my class, and the professor was discussing how we’d eventually get to literature in the Jim Crow era. A girl turned to me and asked “Who is Jim Crow?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry…so I gave her one of these -_-)

The Post Office and Greater Accra

I thought about giving you a play-by-play of this adventure Shelbie and I went on to pick up her package at the Accra Post Office in Circle, but I realized it I told you all of everything that went down my family would send for me to come home immediately. It was not a pleasant experience at all…but luckily, I don’t think I’ll ever have to go back there again! God is good.

This post doesn’t seem too dense with useful updates, but I promise you nothing extraordinary has been going on! I’m still alive and kicking in Ghana. The time seems to be passing us by so quickly. We only have about 8 more weeks of classes, a month of exams, then I’m home! I can’t believe more than a month has already passed by. I love Ghana (for the most part. Plenty of things annoy me, but it’s definitely more love than anythingJ) but I’m at the point in which I very deeply miss the convenience and familiarity of being home! Here’s some fun news! Next month I decided to head down to Cape Town, South Africa to visit a friend from Colby (Jemarley). I am sooooooo excited about that. Seeing as it was my second choice for where I wanted to study abroad, I’m sure I’ll have a blast. Jemarley is also ratchet as all hell, so that’s also a plus.

That’s all the updates I have. Any questions? Ask! That’ll help me figure out what to write about next. Until then!!

xoxo

At Least I'm Not Married...

Bonjour tout le monde! Here we go again...

1) Makola Market Debauchery

2) Still No Consistent Classes

3) There is NO Azonto Cap in Ghana!!!

4) Other Random Points

1) Makola Market Debauchery

Lawd, where do I even begin with this one?! My friend Sydney’s roommate (Manna…sp?) offered to escort us to Makola to get fabric, sandals, and scarves last week, and the whole event was tastefully complex. We left ISH around 10am and headed off campus to catch the tro-tro. I don’t know why there was so much midday traffic going to Accra, but it took us forever (almost an hour) to catch the bus to the market. Once we got to Makola, the madness began. We made our first purchase with a man selling what seems like a Mount Everest sized pile of headscarves. He was really friendly, funny, and enthusiastic about his hustle. The scarves were dirt cheap…like…50 pesewas cheap. I got 6, and am thinking about braving the ratchetness to go and get more. They’re perfect for the New England fall….but I digress.

Our next stop is where everything got real—at the shoe vendors. My goodness! First of all, there was a creepy man giving me the eye from the time we got to Makola until we left the place. He was trying to get me to come look at whatever it was that he was selling. I couldn’t deal. THEN, once we found a seller who had decent shoes, we were engulfed in a circle full of people tugging at us, taking our shoes off and insisting on putting the shoes they thought we should buy on our feet (Think Cinderella and the prince finally putting her retrieved shoe back on…except not at all romantic lol). I wasn’t realllllly in need of sandals, so I stood to the side. Before I knew it, a very aggressive man came up to me, grabbed my arm, and kept repeating “Marriage me. Let’s go get marriage.” At first I was dying of laughter, because it was freaking hilarious! Bad idea. He interpreted that as “try harder,” and proceeded to pull (when I say pull, it was more like a drag attempt. I promise I’m not over exaggerating!) The Crew and Manna were too busy bargaining to realize I was about to be some random’s wife, so I started yelling “help!” Legit though, I’m cracking up right now, it was just too much! These people are bold. Shelbie finally realized what was going on, put on her Superwoman cape, and came to my rescue, and at that point I was too through with the market and wanted to get out! We made a few more stops, I got sandals, kente cloth, and earrings. Let’s just say I’ll be waiting a while to visit any market again!

2) Still No Consistent Classes

Not too sure of what’s going on with the lecturers at UG, but a lot of people’s classes have not been meeting. The semester has officially started, and still professors aren’t showing up, students aren’t showing up, and administrative employees aren’t doing their job. I was talking to my roommate (who is a fourth year student) and she said it has never been this bad. Usually I’d be jumping for joy at the fact that I don’t have class to go to, but in all honesty, I miss the academic grind. I’ve been out of a classroom for almost two months, and these sporadic classes aren’t cutting it. I’m really not trying to be bored in Ghana. It is only Monday though….maybe things will change?

3) There is NO Azonto Cap in Ghana!!

So due to the International Students’ Durbar Celebration, our Cape Coast trip has been moved to this coming weekend. Therefore, we were able to go out on Friday and Saturday night, and this Ghanaian highlife/hiplife music lives on. They do not get sick of Azonto music at all!! It’s actually impressive (but redundant). Friday night was OK—just OK. I refuse to be out all night Azonto-ing, not really into that. I definitely miss parties back home with a variety of familiar music. I know, I know—this is Ghana. But DAMN!! We were all joking that if we heard one American song, we’d go HAM. Supposedly, the music at this club called “Twist” usually plays more hip-hop and such once the night goes on, but we were there until almost 3, and not one familiar song was played. Saturday night was cool. Highs and lows, but definitely more highs! As a “crew” we always seem to laugh in the face of madness, and that’s pretty much what was done all weekend hahaha. Butttttttt, the music is catchy. Here are my two favorite Ghanaian songs at the moment:

4) Other Random Points...

a. Little known fact—an Okoh designed the Ghanaian flag. #boss (I wonder if we're related. If so, I'm going to need a cut from all the profit Ghana flags make. Just sayin')

b. Ghana’s Black Stars soccer team is doing really well in the Africa Cup of Nations. Whenever there’s a game, it’s as if Jesus himself has arrived. It’s cute. *Eric voice*

c. I think my body has PTSD for the Night Market food. I tried again last night since the whole city was shut down for church/soccer. Epic fail. My tummy was not amused.

d. Hand washing your clothes really does get them cleaner than a machine does. Try it sometime.

e. On Friday, Shelbie and I introduced Ghanaians to tacos. They loved it. Sunday has been designated as “American” delicacy night. You can only eat red-red so much…I miss food from home.

f. My roommate is standing over me and has requested I tell you all hello on her behalf lol. She’s really quiet, but when she speaks, it’s nothing but hilarious punch lines. She’s a mess.

T’is all for now.

xoxo

It's 3am in Ghana...

BUT THE GIANTS WON!!!!

...I'll be the first to admit that I'm no avid (American) football fan, but when it comes to my city...

It's so silent in GH right now. No one cares about the Superbowl. I'll be singing this tune for a few days: