Blogs from Elmina, Central, Ghana, Africa

International Airports are so comfortingly alike in their customs and procedures, always, reassuringly, involving a passport, a queue and, invariably, a bit of a panic and, with all these elements in place, I was welcomed into Accra. Readying myself for the ‘wave of heat’ that I had been assured would hit me once I exited the terminal, I was surprised and, admittedly, a little disappointed by the muggy, sticky drizzle that darkened the unfamiliar sky; the pacifying sound of rain jarringly juxtaposed with unknown surroundings and the hum of an unfamiliar tongue. “Madam Olivia!” I heard my name called from deep within the crowd. “Madam Olivia!” I heard again, the voice full of warmth and kindness. After having met just once before in the UK, Seth had become a true friend; a fellow teacher, in the ... read more

On Tuesday, because I still didn’t have my internship since they had a week of Easter Holiday, I just went onto campus early to try to type up my last blog post…which I failed to do until a week after. But I got to campus to not only find out that I didn’t really have access to internet but that the University Professors just went on strike…meaning that I didn’t even have dance class that evening. Instead I began typing up some documents for my Dance Professor because I can type a lot…faster than a lot faster than the professors and students in the dance department. So I was still put to work and my only thing that I could say once I finished was to have my work count towards my grade in anyway, like ... read more

Technically we went to Brenu Beach again which is near Elmina.... So this weekend we decided that as it was pretty much our last weekend travelling around Ghana we wanted it to be relaxing after quite a stressful week at the hospital. (We saw a still birth at the same time as a healthy birth resulting in me passing out, i'm going to blame the heat and well the fact that it was very distressing! The still birth baby was breeched as well and all blue, horrifying.) We left bright and early on Saturday not really sure how to get to Brenu but we knew its where we wanted to be! So got a tro to Accra and then somehow found a tro to Cape Coast. That tro was luxury! By far the safest and fanciest ... read more

Ghana is a developing country. Even though there is a great deal of poverty which we are seeing daily, the spirit of the people, their warmth and welcoming nature is everywhere. People we see on the street are curious as to why we are in Ghana and and from where did we come. Today Barry and I will have a day to ourselves. We will be visiting the Elmina Slave Castle and the historic community of Elmina. I hope to share many pictures and impressions soon... ... read more

Wren writing: Rachel had a nice surprise this morning when she found a large bite out of one of her sneakers. Ralph comforted her by saying, “Oh yeah, that’s rats. For sure.” She was not so happy. And then, as I was walking to breakfast, I stepped over a short wall and because of rain, my foot slipped which caused my other foot to smash into the rock wall (ouch!). “A scar to remember Africa by,” said Ralph. Good thing he’s always here to cheer us up! After breakfast we went to see Elmina Castle, where the Dutch held slaves that were to be sold to the Americas. The rain and the cold of that morning made the huge, white castle, which has seen so much cruelty and suffering, even gloomier. On the tour, they told ... read more