Here I am in Accra

Hello everyone!
It’s been a long time since I’ve updated this blog. Since I had a long nap around 6pm, I can’t fall asleep so blogging seems like the best way to make use of my time.
To start off, I was really sick for the first week and a bit that I was here. Finally after I’d almost had enough, I decided to go to the hospital and see a doctor. I spent 4 hours at the hospital waiting to see a physician, having blood tests, waiting for results, etc. Everyone I talked to, including the doctor, assumed I had malaria, which was not the case. Eventually I was just given a prescription which worked wonders in 2 days. I’m feeling a lot better now and my life here is running much better.
While I was sick, I went to some pretty cool shows in Accra. Each Wednesday I go to reggae night at Labadi Beach. They have live performers and, of course, lots of rastas and lots of dancing. It’s a great atmosphere! I’ve also gone to Alliance Francais, a venue created by the French Embassy in Accra, where there are cultural performances, etc. each night. Since staying with Nana Kwasi, I’ve become friends with Gouda, a music group who will be performing tomorrow night at Alliance Francais. Last week I also went to a bar called Baze Lounge to see Gouda perform. Baze Lounge hosts a weekly event where up and coming artists have the opportunity to show off their talents. I’ve been told it is the only place in Ghana where these “underground” artists can perform. I also went to watch Gouda perform at a birthday party at the Swiss School, which was excellent! I’ll try to upload a video for everyone to enjoy Gouda’s traditional music as much as I have. You will LOVE these guys!!!!
Aside from that, I went to the market one day and bought some great fabric to add to my African wears collection. I also had my hair braided - a painful 7 hour experience. I went swimming at one of the expensive hotels in Accra called Shangri-La. The pool at the hotel is heavenly, especially on the hot harmattan days.
While I’ve been here I’ve been eating the BEST food. I’ve discovered that red palm oil is the key ingredient to Ghanaian cuisine and I’m pretty sure nothing is the same without it! As always, I’ve been able to enjoy my favourites (riceballs and groundnut soup & red red, which is beans, palm oil, sometimes gari and something else, served with fried plantains). I frequently eat at a place called Bush Canteen which is a “cafeteria” type place at the University of Ghana. I eat there most afternoons because a) the food is wonderful and b) its on the way from where I live to anywhere else I go in Accra.
Speaking of where I live... I’m living at Nana Kwasi’s house if I haven’t already mentioned it. He stays in a part of Accra called Haatso, which is about 45 minutes through the WORST traffic to Osu, Accra Central, Labadi... (basically anywhere I want to go, it takes a while to get there). The traffic issue stems from two main things: they are redoing and widening the road from central Accra to the university. Also, the current roads in Ghana can not accommodate all the people. Sound familiar??? Anyways, about the house it is a big, bright green building with various different buildings in the same complex. There are various different families who live in the same building or in the buildings on the property with people ranging in age from toddlers to old grannies and grandpas. Everyone is very friendly and the kids are so cute. When they are playing with their friends they seem to have a competition to see who can be the first one to say hi to the obruni. I’m fairly certain I’m the only one in Haatso. One other neat thing about where I live is that there is even a company that manufactures pure water sachets attached to the house. I’m yet to see how these magnificent pure waters are manufactured, but they’ve been nice enough to give me free ones up until now. Not that they’re really expensive (5pesewas <$.05> for a 500ml bag), but free is free and I’ll take it! The only thing I don’t like about where I live is the rooster that does not crow at dawn, or whenever it is roosters are supposed to crow. Instead, it feels the need to crow at all hours of the night and morning. In fact, its almost 12:30am and I hear it crowing.
This weekend I think I will be going to my favourite place in all of Ghana, Ada Foah, with a bunch of friends. As much as I love being in Accra, I’m very excited to escape from the hustle and bustle (ie: the traffic) for a few days on a beach.
I think that’s all I have to share for now. I’ll post more after the adventure to Ada. As with every journey I took last time, something “great” is guaranteed to happen. However, I’m hoping to avoid any rib pain due to giant pot holes and shock-less vehicles... a not so fond memory from last time.
- Akos xxoo

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