After 3 shots and maybe 36 hours of travel, we made it to Accra. Though traveling was incredibly taxing, it was well worth it. We all had a chance to bond and chat while waiting in traffic going to JFK, during our 7 hour flight to Frankfurt, our 4 hour layover, our 7 hour flight to Lagos and the final hour long leg to Accra. Nothing helps you get to know a group of people better than rushing through airports with 80 pounds of luggage, no clue where to go and no sense of what will greet you at the end of the line. I sort of freaked myself out with my own sense of calm. I wasn't really fazed during the travel but was more helping people keep from freaking out or forgetting their stuff.
My favorite part BY FAR was when we finally cleared the Med. Sea and could see the outline of the African coast from 38,000 feet. UNBELIEVABLE!!
Once off the flight, we were greeted by current volunteers and taken by bus and tro-tro (a type of mini-bus)to our training site. We had a police escort so the bus was flying through traffic while avoiding cars, potholes and pedestrians while laying on the horn more often than not. The rest of our first night consisted of sorting our accommodations, eating dinner and finally laying down in a bed.
Our first full day was spend in the Accra Peace Corps office. The day started with a proper welcome from two old muscular Ghanaian men in robes (no clue of the proper name) who spoke some Ghanaian language (I can't quite differentiate one from the other 75 yet). From there, we got more shots, toured the facility, had a brief language lesson and got some medical info regarding what to expect and how to deal with it. That night, we were welcomed by the Ghanaian Ambassador at her home. What an amazing experience! Roughly 24 hours after rushing through New York City as a group of strangers, we stood in front of a room full of big wigs while being welcomed as the new group of American diplomats. Wild indeed!!
Day two was mostly classroom related but provided our first soccer in Africa and our first serious rainstorm; both of which I loved. Yesterday, we went out "Accra Quest," where we took tro-tro's (each ride included mini-language lessons, many smiles and a LOT of sweating on the Ghanaians and fellow trainees I was crammed amongst) into Accra where we had a few tasks to complete on our own. English is spoken almost everywhere but the various accents are hard to understand so working on currency conversions (the new "Ghana Cedi," was introduced 3 months ago and is 1:1 with the dollars. It replaced the Cedi which had a 9800:1 conversion rate. Either is accepted and you never know which one is being quoted) was incredibly difficult. Traveling with two fellow volunteers, I saw the beach, worked my way around town, ate Fufu and groundnut soup (mashed goo of cassava and rice, made into a ball and served in piping hot peanut soup) and accomplished other tasks along the way. I was completely comfortable aside from when we ventured to a "locals" beach (used as a trash can/bathroom). We met a nice man named Latif who provided non-stop lessons on Ghanaian history. While speaking with Latif, we saw several groups of men pass by. Each group would stare as the passed. I couldn't help but think of what I'd have to do if any men accosted the two pretty American women I was with but I assume it'd end up with my ass getting kicked while defending them. I feel a bit embarrassed for feeling this way as the stares were more due to novelty than malice but that's how it made me feel so I thought I'd share.
Today, I'm off on my "vision quest," where I'll spend 5 days with a current volunteer before moving along to Techiman for 8 more weeks of training.
Internet time is running out but so far I'm loving it!! I love and miss you guys!!
Things to look forward to: The "I shit my pants in Ghana club." Our trainers (half way done with the 2 year service) explained how they kept track of who shat their pants while in Ghana. One trainer, Brad, joined 3 months ago and was one for the last 4 our of their 48 person group. So far, only Blake (6'3" 230 lb. Georgia boy with a THICK accent) is the only one to admit joining the club after only 26 hours in country. Sorry Blake!! I must say that hearing the description of his entry into the club was one of the funniest things I've ever heard.
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3 comments:
Ira, didn't know you were such a good writer. Best of luck in Ghana. Keep in touch and stay safe :o)
-Jenna (Rhody)
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Well one can't believe on all that until and unless he visits ghana himself. I have traveled the country several times. Every time there was a new experience. I wold advise all of you to have a trip to Ghana. You can easily reserve your flight to lagos via internet.
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