Saturday Jan. 28 Slave Castle and CAPE COAST…and a CROCODILE
This day was full of emotions and FROG EYES (this is where you are wide-eyed due to all the sight seeing and new experiences, but this tends to EXHAUST YOU COMPLETELY).
I traveled FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME outside of Accra into the CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA.
It was crazy to see all the tropical trees, all the huts for living in, and the plethora of dirt roads in Ghana. When we were stuck in traffic (added 3 hours to the 3 hour trip, which means a 3 hour trip to Cape Coast turned into a 6 hour trip) due to the construction of a new road WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE USA (neato), I waved and smiled at everyone, which turned every focused and serious face into a slight smile or laughter. I think with this language barrier the way to communicate is through smiles and waves. WHICH WAS EXACTLY THE SAME AS IN CUBA.
I found myself fascinated by the ART of carrying things on your head. ALMOST EVERY GHANAIAN has this skill mastered. I wonder if it stunts growth or can cause serious spinal problems when these people get older?
People EVERYWHERE ON THE JOURNEY
There is this way of selling things in Ghana where people carry a bucket or large bowl on their heads walking from car to car on the street trying to convince people to buy what is on their head. I observed that EVERY GHANAIAN turns a blind eye to these people. Some are children, some are adults, and some are elderly trying to get by to the next day. I asked Shadrach how long this has been around and replied ”longer than I have been alive”. This person-to-person interaction of selling things is very sad yet interesting. These “hawkers” as the Ghanaian government refers to them as, sell banana chips, Ghanaian chocolate (which RACHEL SMITH YOU ARE RIGHT IS AMAZING), Flags, shirts, cloths, tissues, saches (A TYPE OF WATER THAT IS INDEED IN A BAG), and very random things like outlets and plug ins. It is a very capitalist thing in a very dangerous situation. Cars don’t yield for people, people yield to cars in Ghana so as you can see this market of business is VERY DANGEROUS for both parties. Yet, it continues to go. In fact Collin, one of the ISEP kiddos, bought a Ghanaian flag BECAUSE OF THE AFRICAN FOOTBALL CUP and he paid 20 CD from our bus…which was really a 5 CD value…very interesting how this system works. RIPING OBRUNIS OFF. But it sure did make that boys day. He proceeded to run after us for several miles trying to convince someone else on the bus to buy a flag.
SLAVE CASTLE and the reaction of my group
After this LONG JOURNEY TO CAPE COAST we entered the Cape Coast Castle where slaves were kept for 3 months before they were “shipped” to the US or another country. IT WAS EXTREMELY CREEPY AND EMOTIONAL. A lot of our group couldn’t help but tear up at the lives and treatment of mankind. IN FACT OBAMA VISITED THIS SITE IN 2009…I had no clue.
The dungeons were spooky and it seemed to be a reminder that these genocides are still continuing and we need to stop them! I also felt a sense of anger at my previous generations for doing such things.
ON a lighter note… our HOTEL was VERY NICE: Crocodiles, Swimming Pools, and PING PONG CHAMPION COMPETION
This was a crocodile pond surrounding the hotel. We spotted many and wondered if they were naturally here or some people brought them here for a tourist attraction.
There was a swimming pool WITH a slide… which was very fun indeed.
AND EMMA AND I GOT TO PLAY A GHANAIAN we met at PING PONG…he seemed to be a national quality ping-pong player…but OF COURSE he let us win. It was so much fun to play around for a little but and not be absorbed in an emotional adventure (like the castle)
Groundnut Soup with Boiled Yam
After playing around Katie and I got a traditional groundnut soup with boiled yam. I LOVED IT…but yams here are like potatoes indeed. WE ALSO CELEBRATED CERRIA AND STEPHANIES BIRTHDAYS… two of the ISEP kids. We had some Ghanaian cake, which is VERY VERY PURE. Not fake sugar! It was all natural, which was very different than a cake in the USA. Emma and I enjoyed have a sweet…since our sweet tooth was hungry.
We then WATCHED GHANAIAN BEAT MALI IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE AFRICAN CUP…GOOOOOOOOO GHANA OR KKKKOOOOOOOOO GHANA! ☺
Sunday Jan. 29 Kakun National Park (Canopy Walk) and Kenk (fermented corn maze)
RAINFOREST EXPLORATION
I woke up with pure excitement. I was GOING TO A RAINFOREST AND CLIMB A BUNCH OF ROPE BRIDGES. We made the 25km drive and arrived at AN X MARKS THE SPOT TOURIST LOCATION. We climbed to the top a hill and then learned about some of the trees and their cultural means. Then…THE SUSPENSE…we clumbered (the best way to describe how we went through seven bridges). It was SO SO SO BEATUFIUL! I will try to upload pictures sometime soon. It was such a worth while experience. I don’t think any words can do the beauty justice. I plan on coming back at night to see the moneys since they are nocturnal and camping to hear the wildlife speak its mind. In fact this forest has NO MOSIQUTIOS because a certain type of tree’s scent wards off all of those Malaria carrying bugs.
We then drove back to ACCRA… which I oddly called home on the way back…STRANGE…I’ve only been here for over a week, but I feel at home with a support system and a pattern.
MEETING MY ROOMMATE
TO MY SURPISE MY NEW ROOMMATE WAS IN MY ROOM WHEN I GOT BACK. Her name is Anita and she was born and raised in Accra. She is literally one of the nicest people I HAVE EVER MET. She asked me right off the bat what my some of my preferences were for living and I got to know about her family. She invited me home sometime and TO HER BROTHER’S WEDDING IN MARCH. So thus far I will be able to go to TWO WEDDINGS!
I am sure I will have more stories about her soon! She is a Zoology major and her mother runs a school…YES AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL…SO RIGHT UP MY ALLY! :0 ☺ ☺ ☺
Attempted Dinner:
Kenk Stew (not for people that distaste sugar)
Ingredients:
One “loaf” of kenk
10 sugar cubes
1 cup of soymilk
1 cup of groundnuts (peanuts in Ghana)
Requirement
NOT TO KNOW WHAT KENK IS OR YOU WON’T WANT TO EAT IT!
Kenk is fermented corn maze…I tried it plain first POOR DECISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
We got Kenk on the way back from Cape Coast…the rule is for EVERY GHANAIAN to get this oddly shaped food when you are returning from cape coast to Accra to prove that you were there because that is the only place in Ghana you can get this specific Kenk. SO EVERY GHANAIAN on our bus LOADED, AND I MEAN LOADED up on this stuff. They got about 15-20 of these “loafs: to bring home to their families.
The taste is extremely sour. I am a sour person…but not in corn maze…I think it is just creepy…I wonder if this opinion will change later on. We shall see!
My roommate thought I would like the different type of Kenk a bit more…hopefully hehehehehe. Trying all these new foods is interesting!
Monday Jan. 30 FIRST DAY OF “OFFICAL CLASSES”
But…no classes for me!
IPO’S AMAZING FREE INTERNET!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES:
I am going to do what Heather Newell…and several other Hendrix students did: MAWUVIO’S OUTREACH PROGRAM! I get to teach in a class and chill with some BALLIN’ KIDDOS!
AMERICAN MEAL OF PASTA (which is really Italian but it reminds me of school and home)
Katie, Emma, and I decided to make pasta and our own sauce because we wanted an American meal. It only equated to about 2 CD (which is like a 1.50 US) SO A SUPER CHEAP DINNER!
EATING IN GHANA
Ohhhh and how eating works here in AFRICA. We get 1350 CD for the semester for food. This equates to a bit over 10 CD a day for food with a bit left over in case we go over some days. This is working out well so far with sandwiches of peanut butter and banana and tuna sandwiches for lunch and a LARGE GHANAIAN DINNER with plenty of calories of fat and carbs. And for bfast either oatmeal or an egg sandwich.
Introduction
Hi, my name is Kelly Rappé and I am journeying to the center on the earth.
Just kidding, I am going to Accra, Ghana to study abroad. I currently go to Hendrix College with an early childhood education major and a history minor.
My passions are sports (specifically Field Hockey and Track in college), traveling, reading, and discovering.
I am a Fort Collins, Colorado native and have enjoyed my time in the south thoroughly the past several years.
One of my best friends always says, "She's never afraid of going on another adventure."
Please check by biweekly to see how my experience abroad in Africa is.
I have only been abroad to Cuba, Canada, and Mexico, so this shall be a life changing experience.
I plan on reflecting, writing, posting pictures, and babbling about what is going on up in my noggin'. <3
Here is the clip for "A Whole New World"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s
Kelly
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sick and Accra
Tro-Tro to the Market:
OVERLOAD OF SOUNDS, TASTES, SMELLS, AND SIGHTS.
We walk from the University to the tro-tro station which is only at 10-20 minute walk in the humid weather. We then get intense looks from people around us. We manage to find several tro-tros to give all 16 of us (3 Ghanaian students) to a place called 37th. This is an area with a wonderful vegetable market and a market for random things. One of the Ghanaian guides is from there. Then we go into this market and find the “tro-tro station”, which is nothing like the United States. It is just a chaotic bunch of 15-passenger vans smooshed together. We found one tro-tro that would take all of us (all the vans have extra seats in the walking area making it more of a 20-passenger van. We then made the sweaty and sticky 30 minute journey to Medina Market, which is the most practical market for a group of to go and get fairly inexpensive food for the next four months. I got my VERY FIRST COCONUT AND COCONUT MILK IN AFRICA. It was splendid! The man WAY OVER CHARGED ME…which I found out after, but hey next time I will know. We walked through all the shops and IT WAS PACKED. Every Wednesday and Saturday the market is booming with people because those are the market days in Accra. I waved and smiled at all the little kiddos who’s reaction was a smile and some certainity why I was waving at them. I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK. It was full of life and passion. Everyone seems to have purpose here with the socialization and community as the main focuses. After this trip I knew that Ghana is the place for me. I KNOW I AM MEANT TO BE HERE! ☺
FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY
My overall favorite part of the day (besides being in Ghana and embracing every moment) is at the end where I can strip my sweaty and interesting smelling clothes and SUBMERG myself into a COLD SHOWER. What I thought several days ago about the showers were WRONG; I LOVE THE SHOWERS TO NO END. It is the best and most calming feeling I have the entire day. It reminds me showers I have after runs, where I am COVERED in sweat. The best part is, when I take these cold showers, I will sleep soundly because the coldness will last me until I get to a “sleepful” state. On really HOT DAYS I don’t think even the slightest appeal of a hot shower will come to mind.
Thursday Jan. 26 BUT ACTUALLY SICK DAY
Theme: Hey, Soul Sister by Train
Brothers and Sisters all over the WORLD
After this day I felt like Train’s song meant my mood. Ghanaians refer to their close friends as brothers and sisters. I think this is one of the best ways to describe such a successful community focused environment.
Today we checked some classes, got lectures about being safe and NOT GETTING SICK, and went shopping at some “targets” of Accra. I was able to get a cutting board, knife, and some other utensils. For some reason TODAY I WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED. I hit a wall and I did not want to do anything besides lay in bed and feel sorry for myself. It was like I couldn’t move. I also had a terrible stomach-ache. ☹ It made the day very unbearable, but I was able to push on through.
CHANGE IN TWO COURSES!!!!
They didn’t have two of my courses so here are the new ones below:
HISTORY 308 HISTORY OF AFRICA UP TO 1800 (3 CREDITS)
The course treats in considerable detail a wide variety of subjects, including the East African and Indian Ocean trade; trade and politics in the Zambezi valley; the trans-Saharan trade; the Sudanic states and the Moroccan invasion; developments in the Mahgreb during Ottoman rule; religion and conflict in Ethiopia; interlacustrine cluster if states: Iwo, Bacwezi, Bunyoro and Buganda; Luba and Lunda states; pre-European trade and society in Southern Africa; San and Khoikhoi; Nguni and Sotho chiefdoms; Dutch settlements; Boer dispersion and Khoisan resistance; the roots of the “native problem” and prelude to the Mfecane and the Great Trek.
STUDIES OF RELIGIONS 346 ISLAM IN GHANA (3 CREDITS)
The origins and development of Islam in Ghana. The origins, nature, and characteristics of Islam in the Volta Baisn. Islam in the North
, Asante, and on the coast of Ghana. Islam and national politics; Islamic literacy tradition; Islamic organizations; Islamic leadership; inter-religious relations; Zongo and national development; etc.
Friday Jan. 27 LAUNDRY DAY AND FREEEEE DAY!
Thank GOODNESS FOR MY LUCK AND HEALTH I was able to sleep in and then attempt to do my laundry. Hand washing is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! It is so so so so so so so CHALLENGING! I did figure it out on my own, but BOY DO I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR WASHERMACHINES NOW! I felt like a true Ghanaian attempting to tame these clothes. After a successful clothes washing and hanging. Emma, Kaite (both WONDERFUL ISEP FRIENDS), and I made a FRUITFUL FRUIT SALAD. We cut up pineapples, mangos, and apples and made a masterpiece. IT WAS EXTREMELY FILLING. Then I checked my email, thanks to the WONDERFUL KATIE-EMMA COMBO letting me borrow their internet and I was informed by my mother that I needed fat to go with my Malaria pills so Katie and I sprinted to my room and had a spoonful of peanut butter. YUM AFTER LITTLE PEANUT BUTTER…JENNIFER KOLLER WOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS PEANUT BUTTER. ☺ After that we re-check class schedules around campus, truly a full day adventure! I had roasted plantains and ground nuts (peanuts) for lunch. IT WAS SURPRISINGLY FILLING. On Thursday I was VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE MOST OF MY CLASSES HAD TO CHANGE…but I kept telling myself TIA TIA LOVELY, TIA (TIA = This is Africa). Friday I had a much better attitude about all of this…partly because I hasn’t feeling AS sick. We had an LONG JOURNEY dinner to “TIME OUT”, a restaurant on campus WHERE THE CLERK STOLE 20 PESOWE from me…which really frustrated me…just because I am an obruni (white person in TWI) doesn’t give you that right…yes I am still bitter. This was my first dinner without the gracious ISEP MONEY. Thursday was our LAST DINNER PROVIDED. The night market, which is a market RIGHT next to ISH (International Student Hostel), has food, but we shouldn’t eat it right off the bat or we will get sick. So that’s why we went to “TIME OUT”. Just thinking about what I am blogging. THERE IS SO MUCH LINGO AND WORDS I AM LEARNING over this past week. It is wonderful. It has been OFFICALLY 7 DAYS SINCE WE GOT HERE…WOOT WOOT! ☺ ☺ ☺ ;) Well, off to bed to PREPARE FOR A JOURNEY OUTSIDE OF ACCRA, GHANA…INTO THE WILD…OR OTHER AFRICAAAAAA.
OVERLOAD OF SOUNDS, TASTES, SMELLS, AND SIGHTS.
We walk from the University to the tro-tro station which is only at 10-20 minute walk in the humid weather. We then get intense looks from people around us. We manage to find several tro-tros to give all 16 of us (3 Ghanaian students) to a place called 37th. This is an area with a wonderful vegetable market and a market for random things. One of the Ghanaian guides is from there. Then we go into this market and find the “tro-tro station”, which is nothing like the United States. It is just a chaotic bunch of 15-passenger vans smooshed together. We found one tro-tro that would take all of us (all the vans have extra seats in the walking area making it more of a 20-passenger van. We then made the sweaty and sticky 30 minute journey to Medina Market, which is the most practical market for a group of to go and get fairly inexpensive food for the next four months. I got my VERY FIRST COCONUT AND COCONUT MILK IN AFRICA. It was splendid! The man WAY OVER CHARGED ME…which I found out after, but hey next time I will know. We walked through all the shops and IT WAS PACKED. Every Wednesday and Saturday the market is booming with people because those are the market days in Accra. I waved and smiled at all the little kiddos who’s reaction was a smile and some certainity why I was waving at them. I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK. It was full of life and passion. Everyone seems to have purpose here with the socialization and community as the main focuses. After this trip I knew that Ghana is the place for me. I KNOW I AM MEANT TO BE HERE! ☺
FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY
My overall favorite part of the day (besides being in Ghana and embracing every moment) is at the end where I can strip my sweaty and interesting smelling clothes and SUBMERG myself into a COLD SHOWER. What I thought several days ago about the showers were WRONG; I LOVE THE SHOWERS TO NO END. It is the best and most calming feeling I have the entire day. It reminds me showers I have after runs, where I am COVERED in sweat. The best part is, when I take these cold showers, I will sleep soundly because the coldness will last me until I get to a “sleepful” state. On really HOT DAYS I don’t think even the slightest appeal of a hot shower will come to mind.
Thursday Jan. 26 BUT ACTUALLY SICK DAY
Theme: Hey, Soul Sister by Train
Brothers and Sisters all over the WORLD
After this day I felt like Train’s song meant my mood. Ghanaians refer to their close friends as brothers and sisters. I think this is one of the best ways to describe such a successful community focused environment.
Today we checked some classes, got lectures about being safe and NOT GETTING SICK, and went shopping at some “targets” of Accra. I was able to get a cutting board, knife, and some other utensils. For some reason TODAY I WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED. I hit a wall and I did not want to do anything besides lay in bed and feel sorry for myself. It was like I couldn’t move. I also had a terrible stomach-ache. ☹ It made the day very unbearable, but I was able to push on through.
CHANGE IN TWO COURSES!!!!
They didn’t have two of my courses so here are the new ones below:
HISTORY 308 HISTORY OF AFRICA UP TO 1800 (3 CREDITS)
The course treats in considerable detail a wide variety of subjects, including the East African and Indian Ocean trade; trade and politics in the Zambezi valley; the trans-Saharan trade; the Sudanic states and the Moroccan invasion; developments in the Mahgreb during Ottoman rule; religion and conflict in Ethiopia; interlacustrine cluster if states: Iwo, Bacwezi, Bunyoro and Buganda; Luba and Lunda states; pre-European trade and society in Southern Africa; San and Khoikhoi; Nguni and Sotho chiefdoms; Dutch settlements; Boer dispersion and Khoisan resistance; the roots of the “native problem” and prelude to the Mfecane and the Great Trek.
STUDIES OF RELIGIONS 346 ISLAM IN GHANA (3 CREDITS)
The origins and development of Islam in Ghana. The origins, nature, and characteristics of Islam in the Volta Baisn. Islam in the North
, Asante, and on the coast of Ghana. Islam and national politics; Islamic literacy tradition; Islamic organizations; Islamic leadership; inter-religious relations; Zongo and national development; etc.
Friday Jan. 27 LAUNDRY DAY AND FREEEEE DAY!
Thank GOODNESS FOR MY LUCK AND HEALTH I was able to sleep in and then attempt to do my laundry. Hand washing is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! It is so so so so so so so CHALLENGING! I did figure it out on my own, but BOY DO I HAVE AN APPRECIATION FOR WASHERMACHINES NOW! I felt like a true Ghanaian attempting to tame these clothes. After a successful clothes washing and hanging. Emma, Kaite (both WONDERFUL ISEP FRIENDS), and I made a FRUITFUL FRUIT SALAD. We cut up pineapples, mangos, and apples and made a masterpiece. IT WAS EXTREMELY FILLING. Then I checked my email, thanks to the WONDERFUL KATIE-EMMA COMBO letting me borrow their internet and I was informed by my mother that I needed fat to go with my Malaria pills so Katie and I sprinted to my room and had a spoonful of peanut butter. YUM AFTER LITTLE PEANUT BUTTER…JENNIFER KOLLER WOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT THIS PEANUT BUTTER. ☺ After that we re-check class schedules around campus, truly a full day adventure! I had roasted plantains and ground nuts (peanuts) for lunch. IT WAS SURPRISINGLY FILLING. On Thursday I was VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE MOST OF MY CLASSES HAD TO CHANGE…but I kept telling myself TIA TIA LOVELY, TIA (TIA = This is Africa). Friday I had a much better attitude about all of this…partly because I hasn’t feeling AS sick. We had an LONG JOURNEY dinner to “TIME OUT”, a restaurant on campus WHERE THE CLERK STOLE 20 PESOWE from me…which really frustrated me…just because I am an obruni (white person in TWI) doesn’t give you that right…yes I am still bitter. This was my first dinner without the gracious ISEP MONEY. Thursday was our LAST DINNER PROVIDED. The night market, which is a market RIGHT next to ISH (International Student Hostel), has food, but we shouldn’t eat it right off the bat or we will get sick. So that’s why we went to “TIME OUT”. Just thinking about what I am blogging. THERE IS SO MUCH LINGO AND WORDS I AM LEARNING over this past week. It is wonderful. It has been OFFICALLY 7 DAYS SINCE WE GOT HERE…WOOT WOOT! ☺ ☺ ☺ ;) Well, off to bed to PREPARE FOR A JOURNEY OUTSIDE OF ACCRA, GHANA…INTO THE WILD…OR OTHER AFRICAAAAAA.
And MORE
Friday, January 27, 2012
TIA: THIS IS AFRICA
Tuesday Jan. 24
Theme: “Funny the Way It Is” by Dave Matthews Band
Lately, I am starting to get used to the trash all around and the way Ghana functions, but I can’t help but have the lyrics of DMB pop and make me realize how different it is here and FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE I have taken so many things for granted.
This song seemed to fit into my experiences for today. We sat through another boring orientation session. This session was about health, safety, and SPORTS. The only interesting news is I found out that I can probably run for the University of Ghana cross country team. We’ll see if I will be able to handle the distances with this heat and other variables. Apparently if I am good enough I will compete in Nigeria at their very BIG MEET, which would BE AMAZING! I will try to go on and off of running for a little while and see what fits me. The running may interfere with volunteering at a school I may not do it, but I will show up to some cross country practices at U of G. Their practices start next Monday at 6am, so we shall see.
Second tour
After this news, we went on a second tour of the camps which entailed a tour of the Bush Cantine. It is a market with bars in the back. One of the ISEP students from last semester said that all the children there have their own culture to feed and take care of each other. I am excited to go get a soda and observe this mini “Lord of the Flies” society. We also went to the library, which has a VERY STRICK POLICY OF SILENCE…very foreign to me after Hendrix College (because the library has an area of loudness and softness).
We are slowly getting less buffet meals and more meals perfect for one sitting. When talking to Rachel and Heather over the years they did indeed say that Ghanaians have a few selections of meals and I am excited to see if I can spice up the variety. RICE IS THEIR BEST FRIEND…and it shall be mine as well.
I am slowly adjusting to all the stares on campus and DEFIANTELY OFF CAMPUS. It is odd to think just because of the color of my skin they will automatically assume I am from a foreign country. I know I have had so many great benefits and SO MANY THINGS GIVEN TO ME…but I am also a college student who can’t give money to everyone I see on the street. I wish I could, but that’s just not in the cards. At least a SMALL group of Ghanaians are starting to see me as friends. I LOVE ALL THE GHANAIAN GUIDES! They are my babysitters to guide me through a bit of this world. Soon they won’t be babysitting us any more.
GHANA VS. BOTSWANA FOOTBALL GAME
After the tour we went to a bar and watched on of the African Cup games, which was perfectly aligned with Ghana playing. The screen was difficult to look at and the Ghanaians sometimes seemed more curious at what we were doing than the screen. I had a couple sips of the Ghanaian beer, STAR, which was a light beer, like Budlight. I had a soda to treat myself and it was nice just to kick back and talk to Emma and Kaite (two of the ISEP students I am falling in LOVE WITH). Mentioning that, I LOVE THE ENTIRE GROUP! THEY ARE ALL SOOOOOO WONDERFUL. Everyone has a very different and interesting perspective. One of them, Cierra, I love talking to from an African American perspective. In fact, a Ghanaian approached her the other day and asked why she is wearing shorts. Ghanaian women DO NOT WEAR SHORTS. They can wear skirts, pants, or dresses, but shorts are out of the question. She was flattered by this interaction and I was fascinated. So our little plan is to have her in a Ghanaian dress and for her to bargain at the market and for me to accompany and observe the change over time. WE MIGHT GET THE SAME DEALS.
After the game, we proceeded to a fulfilling meal. I was told to be grateful of these meals because large meals will be far and few later in the semester.
Wednesday Jan. 25
Theme: TIA: This Is Africa
The Run
I decided to go on a run this morning, a run with another ISEO kiddo, Kim, who I think will keep me motivated to run enough to stay in shape for a potential cross country race and a half marathon this next summer. DON’T WORRY IT IS EXTREMELY SAFE WHERE WE ARE…ESPECIALLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON. There was never a moment of fear. In fact the Ghanaian just laugh at us, with no sound of danger in their laughter. We ran to the track, to see what sort of track it was. It was a normal red track, with a STEEPLE WATER JUMP! Maybe I can convince them to have a water jump so Stephanie Davenport doesn’t out steeple me. We only ran of a half hour but the humidity was ever so present. I ran VERY HARD the last ten minutes to relieve all the stress build up over the last week of getting here and building relationships with complete strangers. There are so many dirt paths around the school creating a perfect environment for me to run in the morning soon. I don’t think tomorrow morning I will do a run, on and off will be appropriate to make sure I don’t push myself over the edge. But I REALLY LOVE RUNNING HERE. The sound of birds, the different scenery, and the change in buildings, makes this experience another way to see the school and Accra.
CLASSES
We registered for CLASSES. I am really, really EXICTED ABOUT MY CLASSES. Here are my classes so far. Be AWARE that they may change because the departments may not offer them…and then I’ll have to change what I want completely. It also seemed odd that we register classes before the natives of Ghana, making us stand out even more.
But here are them so far:
HISTORY 302 GHANA IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES (3 CREDITS)
This course traces the history of Ghana in considerable detail, the many influences to which Ghana was exposed throughout its existence, before, as well as after its independence; Christian missions, education and social change; the growth of British colonial power and jurisdiction and Ghanaian reactions; Anglo-Asante wars; the era of the “Scramble” for Africa; Ghana under British rule; Social, political and economic developments under colonialism; the rise of nationalism between 1900 and 1945; the impact of World War II; the struggle for Independence; Ghana since 1957; Kwame Nkrumah; the period of coups; 1966 to 1981 and the Second, Third and Fourth Republics.
HISTORY 306 ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICS (3 CREDITS)
In this course an attempt is made to strike a balance of the influences of the two great monotheistic religions on Africa. Topics treated in the course include early Christianity in North and North-Eastern Africa; Islam and the conquest of North Africa; Islam and Christianity in Ethiopia; Islamic expansion in West and East Africal growth of Islamic influence through Sufi Orders; the influence of Christian Pietism i.e., Evangelical revival and the Missionary movements; Islam and reform in the 19th Century: Mahdism in the Sudan, Muslim society; imposition of European (colonial) rule, church and the growth of nationalism; Ethiopianism; self rule; church-independence, and church and state in post colonial Africa.
GEOGRAPHY 302 INTRODUCTION TO RESOURCE ANALYSIS (3 CREDITS)
This course introduces students to the various natural resources used by mankind and how these relate to wider environmental processes. It discusses the linkages between the use of natural resources, development and the environment within a political ecology perspective. Man-environment relationships are analyzed using a global case studies with special focus on Ghanaian examples.
SOCIOLOGY 308 POVERTY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (3 CREDITS)
Imperative of African rural development; Development and underdevelopment in theory and comparative perspectives; Globalization and the political economy of rural poverty; Rural poverty indicators; The roles of the state in rural development; Social infrastructure and rural development; Women, children and rural poverty alleviation; The land question and rural development; NOGs and local initiatives in the rural sector; Environmental issues in rural development; A critique of selected rural development projects.
ENGLISH 344 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN LITERATURE (3 CREDITS)
This is essentially a survey course to offer a formal introduction to African Literature in its broadest historical and cultural contexts. Our aim is for each student to gain a close personal familiarity with selected representative texts of major forms/genres and of the major writers of various periods. The texts will be placed in the general socio-political and cultural contexts of their production.
STUDIES OF RELIGONS 348 AFRICAN MYTHS AND SYMBOLS (3 CREDITS)
Theories of Myths; the universality of mythical motifs and symbols, and the functional value of myths and symbols. Detailed study of selected myths from various religious traditions especially African/Ghanaian ones. Cross-cultural comparison of Myths and Symbols.
Theme: “Funny the Way It Is” by Dave Matthews Band
Lately, I am starting to get used to the trash all around and the way Ghana functions, but I can’t help but have the lyrics of DMB pop and make me realize how different it is here and FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE I have taken so many things for granted.
This song seemed to fit into my experiences for today. We sat through another boring orientation session. This session was about health, safety, and SPORTS. The only interesting news is I found out that I can probably run for the University of Ghana cross country team. We’ll see if I will be able to handle the distances with this heat and other variables. Apparently if I am good enough I will compete in Nigeria at their very BIG MEET, which would BE AMAZING! I will try to go on and off of running for a little while and see what fits me. The running may interfere with volunteering at a school I may not do it, but I will show up to some cross country practices at U of G. Their practices start next Monday at 6am, so we shall see.
Second tour
After this news, we went on a second tour of the camps which entailed a tour of the Bush Cantine. It is a market with bars in the back. One of the ISEP students from last semester said that all the children there have their own culture to feed and take care of each other. I am excited to go get a soda and observe this mini “Lord of the Flies” society. We also went to the library, which has a VERY STRICK POLICY OF SILENCE…very foreign to me after Hendrix College (because the library has an area of loudness and softness).
We are slowly getting less buffet meals and more meals perfect for one sitting. When talking to Rachel and Heather over the years they did indeed say that Ghanaians have a few selections of meals and I am excited to see if I can spice up the variety. RICE IS THEIR BEST FRIEND…and it shall be mine as well.
I am slowly adjusting to all the stares on campus and DEFIANTELY OFF CAMPUS. It is odd to think just because of the color of my skin they will automatically assume I am from a foreign country. I know I have had so many great benefits and SO MANY THINGS GIVEN TO ME…but I am also a college student who can’t give money to everyone I see on the street. I wish I could, but that’s just not in the cards. At least a SMALL group of Ghanaians are starting to see me as friends. I LOVE ALL THE GHANAIAN GUIDES! They are my babysitters to guide me through a bit of this world. Soon they won’t be babysitting us any more.
GHANA VS. BOTSWANA FOOTBALL GAME
After the tour we went to a bar and watched on of the African Cup games, which was perfectly aligned with Ghana playing. The screen was difficult to look at and the Ghanaians sometimes seemed more curious at what we were doing than the screen. I had a couple sips of the Ghanaian beer, STAR, which was a light beer, like Budlight. I had a soda to treat myself and it was nice just to kick back and talk to Emma and Kaite (two of the ISEP students I am falling in LOVE WITH). Mentioning that, I LOVE THE ENTIRE GROUP! THEY ARE ALL SOOOOOO WONDERFUL. Everyone has a very different and interesting perspective. One of them, Cierra, I love talking to from an African American perspective. In fact, a Ghanaian approached her the other day and asked why she is wearing shorts. Ghanaian women DO NOT WEAR SHORTS. They can wear skirts, pants, or dresses, but shorts are out of the question. She was flattered by this interaction and I was fascinated. So our little plan is to have her in a Ghanaian dress and for her to bargain at the market and for me to accompany and observe the change over time. WE MIGHT GET THE SAME DEALS.
After the game, we proceeded to a fulfilling meal. I was told to be grateful of these meals because large meals will be far and few later in the semester.
Wednesday Jan. 25
Theme: TIA: This Is Africa
The Run
I decided to go on a run this morning, a run with another ISEO kiddo, Kim, who I think will keep me motivated to run enough to stay in shape for a potential cross country race and a half marathon this next summer. DON’T WORRY IT IS EXTREMELY SAFE WHERE WE ARE…ESPECIALLY WITH ANOTHER PERSON. There was never a moment of fear. In fact the Ghanaian just laugh at us, with no sound of danger in their laughter. We ran to the track, to see what sort of track it was. It was a normal red track, with a STEEPLE WATER JUMP! Maybe I can convince them to have a water jump so Stephanie Davenport doesn’t out steeple me. We only ran of a half hour but the humidity was ever so present. I ran VERY HARD the last ten minutes to relieve all the stress build up over the last week of getting here and building relationships with complete strangers. There are so many dirt paths around the school creating a perfect environment for me to run in the morning soon. I don’t think tomorrow morning I will do a run, on and off will be appropriate to make sure I don’t push myself over the edge. But I REALLY LOVE RUNNING HERE. The sound of birds, the different scenery, and the change in buildings, makes this experience another way to see the school and Accra.
CLASSES
We registered for CLASSES. I am really, really EXICTED ABOUT MY CLASSES. Here are my classes so far. Be AWARE that they may change because the departments may not offer them…and then I’ll have to change what I want completely. It also seemed odd that we register classes before the natives of Ghana, making us stand out even more.
But here are them so far:
HISTORY 302 GHANA IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES (3 CREDITS)
This course traces the history of Ghana in considerable detail, the many influences to which Ghana was exposed throughout its existence, before, as well as after its independence; Christian missions, education and social change; the growth of British colonial power and jurisdiction and Ghanaian reactions; Anglo-Asante wars; the era of the “Scramble” for Africa; Ghana under British rule; Social, political and economic developments under colonialism; the rise of nationalism between 1900 and 1945; the impact of World War II; the struggle for Independence; Ghana since 1957; Kwame Nkrumah; the period of coups; 1966 to 1981 and the Second, Third and Fourth Republics.
HISTORY 306 ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICS (3 CREDITS)
In this course an attempt is made to strike a balance of the influences of the two great monotheistic religions on Africa. Topics treated in the course include early Christianity in North and North-Eastern Africa; Islam and the conquest of North Africa; Islam and Christianity in Ethiopia; Islamic expansion in West and East Africal growth of Islamic influence through Sufi Orders; the influence of Christian Pietism i.e., Evangelical revival and the Missionary movements; Islam and reform in the 19th Century: Mahdism in the Sudan, Muslim society; imposition of European (colonial) rule, church and the growth of nationalism; Ethiopianism; self rule; church-independence, and church and state in post colonial Africa.
GEOGRAPHY 302 INTRODUCTION TO RESOURCE ANALYSIS (3 CREDITS)
This course introduces students to the various natural resources used by mankind and how these relate to wider environmental processes. It discusses the linkages between the use of natural resources, development and the environment within a political ecology perspective. Man-environment relationships are analyzed using a global case studies with special focus on Ghanaian examples.
SOCIOLOGY 308 POVERTY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (3 CREDITS)
Imperative of African rural development; Development and underdevelopment in theory and comparative perspectives; Globalization and the political economy of rural poverty; Rural poverty indicators; The roles of the state in rural development; Social infrastructure and rural development; Women, children and rural poverty alleviation; The land question and rural development; NOGs and local initiatives in the rural sector; Environmental issues in rural development; A critique of selected rural development projects.
ENGLISH 344 INTRODUCTION TO AFRICAN LITERATURE (3 CREDITS)
This is essentially a survey course to offer a formal introduction to African Literature in its broadest historical and cultural contexts. Our aim is for each student to gain a close personal familiarity with selected representative texts of major forms/genres and of the major writers of various periods. The texts will be placed in the general socio-political and cultural contexts of their production.
STUDIES OF RELIGONS 348 AFRICAN MYTHS AND SYMBOLS (3 CREDITS)
Theories of Myths; the universality of mythical motifs and symbols, and the functional value of myths and symbols. Detailed study of selected myths from various religious traditions especially African/Ghanaian ones. Cross-cultural comparison of Myths and Symbols.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Next Couple of Days
Sunday
Church
Shadrach brought some of us to his church. IT WAS AMAZING! We got to the service late because our friend, the Ghanaian was late. The church as filled with about 20 people. The children were outside playing around. They started with the reference to the Bible John 9-17, which is about the boy that brought fish and bread and only had enough for a couple people but Jesus created enough for over 5,000 people. The entire service was in Twi and then translated into English. Then there was a discussion on the meaning and with questions and answers from the entire congregation. I’ve never seen a church service with a discussion focused congregation. Discussion, for me was usually in bible study or bible classes. It was wonderful. The conviction and passion that each Ghanaian displayed showed how happy and content they are. After this, there was singing and music. The songs were in Twi so the other ISEP students and I clapped our hands and tried to imagine what they were saying. The entire service was completely surrounded around “Amen” by the speaker and “Amen” by the congress. It was so joyous and energetic. After this the children were called in and the preacher had a passionate discussion on how we each can be the boy and give faith and love to those people in our community. The children sat in the back and went in and out of the church. The church was actually converted from a school into a church on Sundays and Wednesday nights. After this passionate sermon, the entire congregation broke out in song and we danced around. The Ghanaians dragged us into a circle of clapping and singing. There were drums pounded to a wonderful beat. I felt like any soul could reach a spirit with this music and dance. The pure happiness on every member’s face was inspirational. Then, each member of the church spent some time praying out loud in Twi. This was a bit scary because my church is very introverted in their prayer. Then there was one young lady that sang a solo. HER VOICE WAS AMAZING AND HER CONVICTION WAS INSPIRATIONAL. She reached her hand up touching God and smiling and the joyous occasion. After this, the congregation convinced us ISEP kiddos to sing a song for them…well obviously we didn’t plan this but we attempted to sing “Amazing Grace” in which the congregation chimed in to guide us through the parts that I was unsure about. The clapped and praised our attempt. The community was so loving. Then there were announcements about an Easter Convention this Easter, which I think I may go to. Next weekend we are going to the coast, but the next week I bet Shadrach if he sang a solo I would match him with one…little does he know mine is my turn to at all times…those who know me…know this song…LEAN ON ME… will be sung at this church in two weeks. After the service we spent sometimes meeting Shadrach’s father, who is the preacher and mother and two sisters. WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY. They introduced themselves in their first names and shook our hands with both of theirs, a sign of thank you and regarding admiration. I then, as a future that I am, talked to the children and looked at their bible books. They were very shy, but insisted on taking pictures with me. I hope to come back to this church often because of their true sincerity. I would like to develop a Ghanaian community because it is a true test to what the Peace Corps would be like. I loved all of them! Shadrach, one of our student guides, who attends University of Ghana, the one that invited us to his church is going to study abroad in the United States. I am slowly convincing him to come study abroad AT HENDRIX COLLEGE!!! WOOT WOOT! He is looking at 10 colleges in the south and Hendrix is one of them! I think it would be wonderful to show the same gratitude and respect to him as he did for me. Although it only has been several days, I have experienced a cultural and social journey that is BEYOND MY WISHES AND GOALS.
Beach Exploration
After a quick lunch after church we made a voyage to the public beach in Ghana. The beach costs 3 CD (Ghanaian dollars, which the conversion is 1CD = 1.67 USD). We entered in and saw the trash, which surprised me that such a prized land feature would be treated in such a way. There were horses tromping around giving rides to tourists, and the AGGRESSIVE SALESMEN were on us like flies on poop…hehehehe. We walked along the beach and embraced the water…I did a limited amount to avoid getting my ear infections (SHOUT OUT TO MY FAMILY XOXOXO).
The sun went in and out of hiding from us with clouds. It was a relaxing setting once the salesmen realized that we weren’t going to buy anything from them here because WE KNEW IT WAS A EXPENSIVE. There were some cross-dressers performing, which was a dangerous performance because it is illegal to be homosexual in Ghana. This illegal thing was a HUGE ISSUE last semester with a famous person not funding some high poverty areas in Ghana, because of that. We then found a ball and played keep away for a while. We turned into a spectator sport with many Ghanaians and tourists looking and laughing at and with us. It was fascinating, EVEN WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER WE WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. Covered in sand and salt water we went to “Taco Bell” (which is actually just a reference to their fast food restaurants). We had Ghanaian pizza, which has a much sweeter sauce and very interesting pepperoni. We then made it back to ISH (International Student Hostel) and then explored the night market, which is literally two blocks away from ISH. We tried some fruit and asked around what their prices were of different items. This thing called bargaining, I FAIL AT… we shall see if I will improve or not.
Monday
This was a very boring morning of details about class rules and examinations. The campus tour after was very exciting. THE CAMPUS IS HUGEEEEEEEEEEEE…we are taking almost as big as Conway, Arkansas! The students at this school are over 30,000 people. I am thinking about investing in a bike, which would make going to and from classes a lot easier. I am going to wait and see after the first couple of weeks of school if it is worth it. Each building is white with a red roof. I love the palm trees and other tropical trees surrounding the area. Everyone we met on the tour was very friendly. One of Shadrach’s friends was welcoming. She said we would LOVE IT HERE and that I could come to her church if I wanted to. I think the way to connect with some of the Ghanaians is to inquire about their churches and learn what religion and what size their church is. I can’t wait to select classes. I am going to take a history, religions, sociology, anthropology, dance, and geography, and beginning Twi course. I think 6 courses will be perfect, which dance I may audit because I AM A HORRIBLE DANCER!
I am exhausted, yet excited for more.
I wonder when the culture shock will hit??????
I will repost my mailing address. PLEASE MAIL ME LETTERS! I would love ANYTHING! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
And a shout out to everyone else WHO HAS STUDIED ABROAD IN GHANA...i can't spell all the guides names right now and I am in ISH 1 :D ohhhhh and SUSAN IS GETTING MARRIED IN APRIL AND I GET TO GO TO THE WEDDING
Church
Shadrach brought some of us to his church. IT WAS AMAZING! We got to the service late because our friend, the Ghanaian was late. The church as filled with about 20 people. The children were outside playing around. They started with the reference to the Bible John 9-17, which is about the boy that brought fish and bread and only had enough for a couple people but Jesus created enough for over 5,000 people. The entire service was in Twi and then translated into English. Then there was a discussion on the meaning and with questions and answers from the entire congregation. I’ve never seen a church service with a discussion focused congregation. Discussion, for me was usually in bible study or bible classes. It was wonderful. The conviction and passion that each Ghanaian displayed showed how happy and content they are. After this, there was singing and music. The songs were in Twi so the other ISEP students and I clapped our hands and tried to imagine what they were saying. The entire service was completely surrounded around “Amen” by the speaker and “Amen” by the congress. It was so joyous and energetic. After this the children were called in and the preacher had a passionate discussion on how we each can be the boy and give faith and love to those people in our community. The children sat in the back and went in and out of the church. The church was actually converted from a school into a church on Sundays and Wednesday nights. After this passionate sermon, the entire congregation broke out in song and we danced around. The Ghanaians dragged us into a circle of clapping and singing. There were drums pounded to a wonderful beat. I felt like any soul could reach a spirit with this music and dance. The pure happiness on every member’s face was inspirational. Then, each member of the church spent some time praying out loud in Twi. This was a bit scary because my church is very introverted in their prayer. Then there was one young lady that sang a solo. HER VOICE WAS AMAZING AND HER CONVICTION WAS INSPIRATIONAL. She reached her hand up touching God and smiling and the joyous occasion. After this, the congregation convinced us ISEP kiddos to sing a song for them…well obviously we didn’t plan this but we attempted to sing “Amazing Grace” in which the congregation chimed in to guide us through the parts that I was unsure about. The clapped and praised our attempt. The community was so loving. Then there were announcements about an Easter Convention this Easter, which I think I may go to. Next weekend we are going to the coast, but the next week I bet Shadrach if he sang a solo I would match him with one…little does he know mine is my turn to at all times…those who know me…know this song…LEAN ON ME… will be sung at this church in two weeks. After the service we spent sometimes meeting Shadrach’s father, who is the preacher and mother and two sisters. WHAT A WONDERFUL FAMILY. They introduced themselves in their first names and shook our hands with both of theirs, a sign of thank you and regarding admiration. I then, as a future that I am, talked to the children and looked at their bible books. They were very shy, but insisted on taking pictures with me. I hope to come back to this church often because of their true sincerity. I would like to develop a Ghanaian community because it is a true test to what the Peace Corps would be like. I loved all of them! Shadrach, one of our student guides, who attends University of Ghana, the one that invited us to his church is going to study abroad in the United States. I am slowly convincing him to come study abroad AT HENDRIX COLLEGE!!! WOOT WOOT! He is looking at 10 colleges in the south and Hendrix is one of them! I think it would be wonderful to show the same gratitude and respect to him as he did for me. Although it only has been several days, I have experienced a cultural and social journey that is BEYOND MY WISHES AND GOALS.
Beach Exploration
After a quick lunch after church we made a voyage to the public beach in Ghana. The beach costs 3 CD (Ghanaian dollars, which the conversion is 1CD = 1.67 USD). We entered in and saw the trash, which surprised me that such a prized land feature would be treated in such a way. There were horses tromping around giving rides to tourists, and the AGGRESSIVE SALESMEN were on us like flies on poop…hehehehe. We walked along the beach and embraced the water…I did a limited amount to avoid getting my ear infections (SHOUT OUT TO MY FAMILY XOXOXO).
The sun went in and out of hiding from us with clouds. It was a relaxing setting once the salesmen realized that we weren’t going to buy anything from them here because WE KNEW IT WAS A EXPENSIVE. There were some cross-dressers performing, which was a dangerous performance because it is illegal to be homosexual in Ghana. This illegal thing was a HUGE ISSUE last semester with a famous person not funding some high poverty areas in Ghana, because of that. We then found a ball and played keep away for a while. We turned into a spectator sport with many Ghanaians and tourists looking and laughing at and with us. It was fascinating, EVEN WITH THE LANGUAGE BARRIER WE WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. Covered in sand and salt water we went to “Taco Bell” (which is actually just a reference to their fast food restaurants). We had Ghanaian pizza, which has a much sweeter sauce and very interesting pepperoni. We then made it back to ISH (International Student Hostel) and then explored the night market, which is literally two blocks away from ISH. We tried some fruit and asked around what their prices were of different items. This thing called bargaining, I FAIL AT… we shall see if I will improve or not.
Monday
This was a very boring morning of details about class rules and examinations. The campus tour after was very exciting. THE CAMPUS IS HUGEEEEEEEEEEEE…we are taking almost as big as Conway, Arkansas! The students at this school are over 30,000 people. I am thinking about investing in a bike, which would make going to and from classes a lot easier. I am going to wait and see after the first couple of weeks of school if it is worth it. Each building is white with a red roof. I love the palm trees and other tropical trees surrounding the area. Everyone we met on the tour was very friendly. One of Shadrach’s friends was welcoming. She said we would LOVE IT HERE and that I could come to her church if I wanted to. I think the way to connect with some of the Ghanaians is to inquire about their churches and learn what religion and what size their church is. I can’t wait to select classes. I am going to take a history, religions, sociology, anthropology, dance, and geography, and beginning Twi course. I think 6 courses will be perfect, which dance I may audit because I AM A HORRIBLE DANCER!
I am exhausted, yet excited for more.
I wonder when the culture shock will hit??????
I will repost my mailing address. PLEASE MAIL ME LETTERS! I would love ANYTHING! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
And a shout out to everyone else WHO HAS STUDIED ABROAD IN GHANA...i can't spell all the guides names right now and I am in ISH 1 :D ohhhhh and SUSAN IS GETTING MARRIED IN APRIL AND I GET TO GO TO THE WEDDING
Saturday, January 21, 2012
The First Two Days
I have arrived and am safe and sound in Ghana!!!!!! It has been a very powerful experience so far. My mind has been going through a lot of processing and trying to recover everything I have seen and experienced. Yesterday I got into Ghana. I was a bit stressful going from DIA to Washington DC because my flight was delayed by an hour. I made it to the gate to Accra successfully, but I was extremely afraid that I wouldn't make it. I sat around at the gate and saw some people that looked like students my age. They were indeed! They were not doing the same program; they were doing a University of New Hampsire one at U of G (which is University of Ghana). I miss everyone so much and I am going through a lot of emotions, but I love every minute! Once I got on the plane I sat next to someone that looked like a student as well. AND HE WAS DOING ISEP AS WELL! I was filled with relief that I knew someone to depend on to get through customs and find the ISEP people on the other side. His name is Patrick and I got to know him fairly well. Then I endured the long flight where I attempted to go in and out of sleep for the majority of the time. Not substantial sleep but enough to sustain me for the day. We received airplane food, which was an amazing experience! Then we landed and I embarked on the journey of going through the customs and checking of bags. I was very nerve wrecked that i would fail at doing something, but I made it through with a couple of bruises from the shoving. Then, I met up with the ISEP folks and we made the adventure to the bus. WHICH WAS A CHALLENGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Omgoodness someone tried to grab my suitcase, which horrifying. I wrestled it back and then made sure that nobody approached me the rest of the way. Once I was in the van I was able to look out the window and we headed to the school. It was amazing! It reminded me of Cuba. There were people selling food on the street and people driving like CRAZY. My eyes were glued outside absorbing the commercial advertisment and the entirely new environment. Once we came back I happily made my bed and then we went to dinner at a place called tasty treats. The Ghanaian food was a mixture of Cuban, Indian, and Latin American. I love it. I think it will take a bit of adjustment to get used to eating it daily. After that i went STRAIGHT TO BED, which was very difficult because the electricty went out and came back on at midnight: TIA (This is Africa). I woke up at 10pm unable to sleep because of the heat and the noises outside. The sounds ecco from the parking lot to my room on the 4th floor. I am placed in a room by myself, in which a ghanaian will fill in a couple weeks, which is EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. I spent the next two hours awake writing in my journal and going through various emotions. From, excitement to nervousness, to crying myself to sleep. I think woke up in he morning and ran down stairs for our provided breakfast of omletes. Then we went from the first Ghana President Museum to the Accra Mall, to a very popular marketplace were I refilled on water, since I can only drink bottled water here. The day was exausting! When we walked on the streets people would persist to sell us things even though I don't EVEN WANT ANYTHING AT THE MOMENT. I am fascinated about how cute kids are here!!!!!! I talked to one for five minutes and it makes me SO EXCITED TO START VOLUNTEERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had dinner at the same place, tasty treats and a different variation of ghanaian food. All of the ISEP kiddos joined us. There are fourteen of us. Four were here last semester and one was here two months early. I LOVE EVERYONE. EVERYONE IS SO NICE!!!! The student guides are amazing as well! I ADORE THEM!!!!!!! I also just got a phone. I have yet to put minutes on it...soon to be. And IF ANYONE WANTS TO CHAT...WE'LL have to schedule a time to talk considering the 5 to 6 to 7 hour time difference. Butttt I promise to blog more later...I haven't showered since Wednesday night...about to experience THE ONLY SHOWERS ARE FREEZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But we shall see!! :) Tomorrow I am going to a Ghanaian church service and then the beach for the day. I don't know when I will have time to blog again but I SEND MY LOVE TO EVERYONE AND WILL TRY TO UPLOAD PICTURES...SOOOONNN!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxooxxoxooxxoox
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Off and Away
Today is my last full day in the United States. I have my bags packed. I have almost everything ready for the ADVENTURE. I am scared for the jet lag and the culture shock, but I CAN'T WAIT FOR WHAT IT'LL BRING. Stay tuned because by Friday I will be in Accra. Sending my love everywhere and every way.
Farewell!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Less than a WEEK
I will be flying to Ghana in four days! I am so excited, but it still feels like I am not actually GOING TO ACCRA, GHANA! I had a long talk with two of my friends last night trying to visualize and prepare myself for the extreme changes that I will be going through. I will have limited internet access and when I do its very unreliable. I will be taking showers with freezing water and taking a bucket of water and a cup and try to rinse myself. I think I will get frustrated about that at first because I rather just not shower than endure that complicated of a process. I am also fascinated about hand washing my own clothes. As previous students that studied in Ghana told me, I will stop after a month. I am still excited to see what happens with that. I also am worried a bit about malaria. It is scary to think I could get malaria and if I ignore it I COULD DIE! I feel like I will be a bit crazy about that checking up on my self very frequently. One of the things I want to experience SO BADLY is a fully embraced interaction with kids. I want to hang with them, teach them, and for them to teach me. I am ready! I wish I could full prepare myself for this adventure, but I guess that is the beautiful thing about life, you can't prepare yourself. Many people refer to me as a happy go lucky type and I am excited to see how that will be applied to going to Ghana. I am curious how recreating a support system will turn out. I now practically everyone else is on the same boat; they will be wanting to have a support system too. I have also been told that I will have a lot more time than I think I will have. I want to use that time to embrace the culture. I also dream to have a meal in a Ghanaian household, which is apparently few and far between because Ghanaians hold their personal lives close to their hearts.
Goals for going abroad:
* Embrace everything with enjoyment and really understand why I am there, to learn, not to save the world.
* Connect with at least one Ghanaian on a deeper level
* Learn how the education system works in Ghana.
* Learn how the political system works in Ghana.
* Learn what stereotypes I have developed about AFRICA and how most of the DO NOT APPLY TO GHANA.
* Fill my time with people. I am an EXTREME EXTROVERT and people help me discover who I am in the situation and what it means to me.
* Learn not to judge situations in Ghana and understand TIA: This is Africa, a completely different world.
* Understand what a third world country and what makes it that way and maybe they are living life better than we are. In Cuba I think their overall well-being, besides being trapped in the country, is happy and a community. Every corner we turned people knew each other and basked in that ideology.
* How does Cuba compare to Ghana?
* What does education mean to Ghanaians?
I have so many questions. I hope to discover this new world and help me discover myself!
Goals for going abroad:
* Embrace everything with enjoyment and really understand why I am there, to learn, not to save the world.
* Connect with at least one Ghanaian on a deeper level
* Learn how the education system works in Ghana.
* Learn how the political system works in Ghana.
* Learn what stereotypes I have developed about AFRICA and how most of the DO NOT APPLY TO GHANA.
* Fill my time with people. I am an EXTREME EXTROVERT and people help me discover who I am in the situation and what it means to me.
* Learn not to judge situations in Ghana and understand TIA: This is Africa, a completely different world.
* Understand what a third world country and what makes it that way and maybe they are living life better than we are. In Cuba I think their overall well-being, besides being trapped in the country, is happy and a community. Every corner we turned people knew each other and basked in that ideology.
* How does Cuba compare to Ghana?
* What does education mean to Ghanaians?
I have so many questions. I hope to discover this new world and help me discover myself!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
All I Need
As the packing continues, I have been reflecting on EVERYTHING I need. I have gathered things like concentrated shampoo so I can bring to little bottles and they will last me four months, but there seems to be something missing. What does one need when they travel across the ocean into an entirely new location...a pond far away? Something that can be turned to when the moment of doubt sinks in. I ran into this song by chance it seems to be sending the message across quiet well what I'll be needing when I am abroad.
Awolnation
"All I Need"
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
It's early in the morning,
I'm laughing at the sun.
My mirror disappoints me.
Am I the only one?
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
is life, love
with you
I think I'm getting closer
but the scenery's the same.
Am I a disappointment?
I'll blame it on the pain.
It's
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
is life, love
with you
All I need is you
is all I need,
if you could simply believe
in me and we would be forever
together
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need
is you
smiling
at me
all I need is you
is all I need
all I need is you
is all I need
all I need is you
is all I need
is life, love
with you.
The you tube video can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUI-gYsUNo
It seems that a sign of happiness, a smile, or a nod are similar in most cultures.
The important thing is that I remember to find the joy and benefits through this adventure and understanding how critical each person I met is.
Awolnation
"All I Need"
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
It's early in the morning,
I'm laughing at the sun.
My mirror disappoints me.
Am I the only one?
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
is life, love
with you
I think I'm getting closer
but the scenery's the same.
Am I a disappointment?
I'll blame it on the pain.
It's
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
is life, love
with you
All I need is you
is all I need,
if you could simply believe
in me and we would be forever
together
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need...
Is you
smiling
at me, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need,
All I need, all all I need
is you
smiling
at me
all I need is you
is all I need
all I need is you
is all I need
all I need is you
is all I need
is life, love
with you.
The you tube video can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUI-gYsUNo
It seems that a sign of happiness, a smile, or a nod are similar in most cultures.
The important thing is that I remember to find the joy and benefits through this adventure and understanding how critical each person I met is.
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