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
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