A new obruni in Ghana

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Awkaaba to my blog! For all those who don't speak Twi (pronounced like tree almost, it's the language of the Ashanti people which means Twi is most people in the Accra region's first language)... I am indeed welcoming you to my blog. It's really hard to believe our flight left two weeks ago. A quick recap of the trials and tribulations of the past two weeks. (note: I'm not exactly sure if trials and tribulations is apropraite, but I thought it sounded, you know, smart...)

I was on the group Brockport flight which was pretty sweet because I got to meet a majority of the people in my program before embarking on almost 24 hours of traveling. A thankfully, pretty uneventful 24 hours, British Airways knows how to treat it's patrons... Anywho, arrived in Accra, and as we landed the pilot anounced Ghana just lost to Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-finals of the African Cup of nations (which is being held in Ghana this year). Although some passengers wanted to turn around and head back to London, we did indeed get off the plane and immediately feel the humidity. Only one of the people in our group didn't get their bags, which I was told was pretty good luck on our part, and we headed to campus with Mercy, our program coordinator.

Although we were expecting to be living with Ghanaian roommates, we were "stuck" choosing our roommate from our program. Low and behold, I wound up with a fellow new Yorker (my capital n key doesn't work) Eleanore. And although it was a bit of a disappointment, it is really nice to not have to be worrying about being offensive or whatever else. To get to the more exciting stuff: Mercy fed us... incredible food. there is this sauce which is termed gravy here with tomato, onions, garlic, and other spices that goes on top of rice, and is just really awesome. So we had that and plantains and PInEAPPLE. Oh man, the pineapple is so good, I probably eat about one pineapple a day.

So Mercy is great, and Friday orienation started. The University of Ghana is huge. Roughly 27 times as big as Haverford. I do finally feel pretty comfortable making my way around, but some of our orientation time was taking a tour of the campus, registering (actually visiting each VERY spread out department, giving them a passport photo, and writing on a sheet of paper the classes you are interested in), going back tot he departments to see the timetables, and if anything has been changed. Vertainly a different experience than at Haverford, but hey, at least it gave me a base for a tan. Because scheduling is a headache, I'm registered for 10 classes, which will drop to four once everything is finalized. On days that we weren't figuring out school, we were exploring Accra (Ghana's capital) and surrounding areas with student guides who put up with our stupid obruni questions.

Obruni means foreighner/white person. I like to think of it as a term of endearment. Ha. But I'm told it's really not supposed to be offensive at all. I hear it all the time, and it's a nice example of how race is really different here. Everything is kind of laid out on the table, it's out there. Refreshing in some ways, but frustrating in others. When I walk into a bank, the security guard escorts me to the front of the line regardless of what I say in response.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll write more about all of that later. We ventured on a troutrou (think old VW bus that has a destination and stops along the way, like a public bus, but smaller and really cheap) to Medina market- the closest market to campus- it's big, has pretty much everything you could ever need to purchase here, and is made up of connecting stands that are more or less entirely outside. It was a Saturday, so the market was really overwhelming. Between being called obruni (I don't know if that's even how you spell it. I guess that makes me even more of one) and all the people, fish, fabric, etc., and necessary bargaining, it was a good introduction to marketplace. I recently went back by trou trouwith some friends, not a student guide, and not on a Saturday, and felt really comfortable. I even bought some fabric that a seamstress who stops by the hostel will make into a skirt. yes, a skirt. I actually have grown quite fond of them. So much cooler....

Speaking of cooler... we lost power for about 15 hours, and took that opportunity to relive summer camp- candles, card games, mafia... and then headed to a near-by bar rooftop, actually on a rooftop, and hung out there. It is not an obruni regular hang out, so it's a good plce to meet Ghanaians and be pointed and laughed at when I break out the shopping cart or lawn mower... not that that doesn't happen at home either though...

On Sunday I went to an Interdenominational Church. It was beautiful. The music. I could have done without the hour long sermon, but the power came back on during church and the church band played as these women with incredcible voices lead everyone in song. This week, I'm going to hit up the Catholic Church. Okay, so I mentioned the African cup of nations, yeah, we went to the final, Egypt v. Cameroon. On black market we bought tickets for 4 cedis (like $4), and sat in the second to last row. The flags, the colors, brass bands playing all over the place, nd general intensity were really cool to be a part of. I wish I brought my camera. Egypt won in a very well played match... the said news was ghana lost the cup for good to Egypt because they have now won it 6 times to Ghana's 5.

I don't have much more time left at the internet cafe, but I'll continue to catch-up, and maybe ove day be on top of things.

For now here's my contact info:

Kathleen Abels
International Students Hostel #2 Rm. G30
University of Ghana
Legon, Accra, Ghana

My #: 00233 24 829 3047

skype: k.abels

Peace and love, until next time.

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Comments

[Justin]

RARF
hurray! sounds very cool, kat.

[Ken Abels]

Hail Exhalted Obruni!
First, I'd like to sign up for your bank so I can be led to the front of the line. Have you thought of falling prostrate on the bank floor? Try it. See what happens. I think you should keep all 10 classes so you can be the smartest (or dumbest) Obruni. I hate to be ignorant, but what does "Mafia" have to do with summer camp. This is great, Kathleen. I'm a blogger now and moving closer to the 21st century. Does it hurt? Has anyone ever told you you're funny. Dad.

[liz]

Excited!
Lady- it is soo excellent that you have a blog--that is the BEST way to keep me updated.. It sounds like you're enjoying ur first taste of international studies--absorb it up, pretty lady. I will be thinking of you every time I hear Ghana, Kathleen, Loyola, or "handful of whore". Love you alot! lizzy

[Pat]

yea, thats how you spell it "Obruni"...meaning "white" in a good way.