God Bless the Americans!

Rabina and I have done very well in Ghana with developing friendships with our fellow teachers and locals in the community. We go out to eat and drink at restaurants, have meals in each others homes, attend church and community events together, and sometime just plain hang out. It has been a great way to have fun and enjoy each other’s company. However, understandably, the friendships still remain much more at a superficial level than they could be at this point. In part this is due to the fact that we have only been here for just under three months. (However, I have developed stronger connections with individuals in less that time.) But I think for the most part it is due to the cultural differences between us. As much as you would like to forget those things when becoming friends with someone - it does play a major role in the relationship. For example, certain jokes don’t carry the same understanding, body language can be different, certain customs are different, etc…

The last one Rabina and I found out the hard way - we had invited a group to go out for dinner and drinks at “Dollar Spot” (the local restaurant in town) after work one day. We figured it would be similar to the way it works in Canada. People arrive when they can and order what they want and pay for their own meals and drinks. So when people kept asking “who was sponsoring this event” , we kept replying that we were just inviting everyone out for a fun evening to get together. Little did we know that “sponsoring an event” meant paying for the entire tab. Therefore, in Ghana, when you invite someone out, you are expected to pay for the entire time. So… when Rabina and I slowly came to this understanding over the evening, we, well, did what I guess was required of us - we paid for the entire evening of food and drinks for everyone. I must add at this point that in no way should anyone assume that anyone was taking advantage of us or being selfish. It is just the way it is done. It should also be mentioned that we are always being invited to share in any food friends are eating and have been over many times to friends houses to have dinner.

Here is just another quick story about a funny cultural difference. In Ghana, weight and body image are approached very differently than they are in North America. First of all, people are not as hung up about weight and in fact many want to be larger as this is an indication of wealth. Therefore, unlike what one may think and stereotype about Africa, people in Ghana are not starving (though they may be exceptionally poor) and are generally of a healthy, if not overweight, body weight. We find that middle aged women are especially what we like to call “rolly polly’. Therefore it is not uncommon to hear people telling someone else that “they are growing fat”. I am still not sure if this is meant as a compliment - but it is sure not an insult as it would be considered back home. Rabina, Shanti and I have all received this lovely statement at some point or another during our time here. I know that they are not trying to be mean or give an insult, but… being quite sensitive about my weight, I had to one day inform someone that in Canada it is an insult to call someone fat.

Despite these cultural differences, I have found that I have learned so much from my new Ghanaian friends and am definitely richer for their friendships.

However, at this point, I must admit, Rabina and I have developed a guilty pleasure: Our friendship with two Americans also living in Agogo. Betsy and Alison are also teachers working at the teacher training college just down the road from us. They hold resource classes for the teaching students and look at ways different resources can be used in the classroom. At first, Rabina and I were a little suspicious of these two foreigners as they were invading “our territory” as the “obrunis” in town. However, Alison and Betsy, with their southern hospitality, had us over for a meal soon after they arrived (the first of many more exchanges), and we quickly realized that “the more, the merrier” when it comes to North Americans in town! It is funny how in the beginning, I also almost felt a little guilty about enjoying the American’s company and wanting to spend time with them. It was almost like we were “cheating” on our Ghanaian friends by wanting to hang out with the Americans. I immediately got over that.

As much as I hate to admit it, I definitely have so much more in common with our fellow North Americans than I do with the Ghanaians here. We share the same point of reference and have common understandings - something that is lacking in relationships crossing cultures. We all can share common stories about things that we find odd or hilarious from our point of view - but normal to a Ghanaian. We understand what it is like living away from home for such a long time in a culture that is so different. Jokes and body language don’t have to be explained and we understand our own cultural norms without explanation. At a superficial level, we share a similar N.A. style of dress, crave similar foods we can’t find here, exercise together using pilates and yoga, and love the same type of entertainment.

Not that I don’t enjoy the odd Ghanaian or Nigerian film - but there is nothing like the comfortable feeling of seeing an Hollywood block buster or American television show. Luckily, Alison brought along her laptop so we can share in the viewing of these wonderful examples of cinematography!

On a side note: one of the wonderful things that one can buy at the side of the road or in the market in Ghana are dvds that have around 30 movies on them. And lucky for us - they carry the American variety! And they are cheap too! I was able to get the entire series of “Sex and the City” for 12 Ghana cedis (approx 12 Canadian dollars). (Hey, we all need to indulge sometimes.)

Anyway, last night Rabina and I went over once again to the Americans. But this time it was for a special occasion. We helped them celebrate the American thanksgiving. And since our Canadian thanksgiving went by without much notice - we adopted this one as our own as well. It was an untraditional meal that consisted of appetizers of trail mix (raisin bran with peanuts and fried plantain), bread with olive oil to dip in, the main course of red red (beans and rice) with fried ripe plantain, samosas picked up in kumasi, and butter beans that just didn't quite make it, and dessert of watermelon and cake. An odd mixture, but definitely filling to say the least. And of course, what thanksgiving isn't complete without a couple episodes of weeds?

Its time to start planning for that Christmas dinner now. Any suggestions as to how I will come by a turkey with cranberry sauce?


Anyway, I will end this blog with a little thanksgiving for the food, fun, and friendship (not to mention loads of tv) by saying, “Happy Thanksgiving and God bless those Americans” . (Especially since they have now elected Obama!)

Ps. Happy Birthday Kristina!

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Part of trip: My African Adventure

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