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Published: June 12th 2008
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Travelling to Kumasi with the tro tro took ages! Everything takes a while here in Ghana (African time), so leaving Accra was later than I would have liked (10am). I was squashed next to a 'big mama' for about 5 hours! At least the view on the way was pretty, with many palm, banana, coconut trees among the lush rainforest vegetation. The upturned trucks and cars on the side of the road was a bit worrying, but I heard most accidents happen during the night because there are no street lights. The city of Kumasi is crazy! One can get easily lost there and the taxi drivers can't help either (they ask locals in the street for directions!). I finally arrived at the STC station (coaches that travel far distances) where I met my Dutch friend Bobbi and a new volunteer who is staying with the same guest family as her. We wandered around Kumasi's massive market, buying haggling for various things, which is always fun 😉 It was dark by the time we decided to go to their guestfamily, where I would be staying the weekend. There was a huge line waiting to go on board the tro tro to
lake bosumtwi
stunning place! Bonwire (where the Dutch girls were living). We were lucky to be spotted by their 'friend', a lady who sells bread at the tro tro station. Not only did she make sure we skipped the long queue and get on the mini bus, but she gave us sandwiches for free! Apparently she does this often for my volunteer friends. The bread lady is certainly kind! It is very useful making friends among the Ghanians 😉 Anyway, we were surrounded by village children asking our names when we got to Bobbi's guestfamily's house. Her guestmother was very friendly, saying I could call her mum. I have many Ghanian 'mothers' now lol. I had my room there (for free) with a mosquito net, was a considered myself pretty spolied.
Saturday the three of us met up with some other volunteers from our orientation week. It was soo nice to see the another 3 again and catch up, finding out how their experience of Ghana was going. Two of them are also Dutch and staying near Kumasi, while the other is Norwegian and volunteering near Tamale (up north). The 6 of us visted Lake Bosumtwi, an hour from Kumasi. We had to
the dutch group
Although I'm half dutch :p
Some of us who went to visit lake bosumtwi pay to visit it, which was annoying as the Bradt Guide said those people were actually ripping off visitors. The beautiful lake sits in an old meteorite crater and reminded us of the lakes you see in Italy or the France. It is one of only safe lakes to swim in Ghana (Bilharzia free), but I still didn't swim, no matter how refreshing it looked. Spending the day there felt like a real exotic holiday and the company of the others was soo nice :D I really enjoyed it. In the evening we ate at Vic Babbo's in Kumasi, a restaurant where many whites go as they have food from all different countries.
On Sunday everything was closed! The busy city was dead with hardly any traffic. It was difficult to find a place to eat lunch, let alone breakfast but we managed to find something in the end at a hotel. 5 of us bought tickets to the Ghana vs Libya football match in the morning. They cost about 6 Ghana cedi (3 pounds!). They were good seats, at the half way line, despite having the hot sun in our faces for an hour. We all wore our
and the other 2 who joined us
they were sitting on the other side of the boat ;) Ghanian T-shirts and bought flags too. It was really fun to cheer on with the enthusiastic Ghanians around us (some other white people were there too), especilly when Ghana won 3-0 :D
I wish I had left early for Kasoa on Monday, but I went to visit the school my friend works at. I realised I'm really attached to the children at Royal Seed and can't give as much as affection to other Ghanian children. I was observing at the Kindergarten, where the lesson took ages to actually begin, and I ended up teaching the class some numbers while the teacher disappeared! That was strange...?! So anyway, I left Kumasi quite late, meaning I arrived in Accra in the night. As it was dark, I had to stay the night in a hotel and make my way back 'home' the following day. I encountered another very kind stranger who took me the hotel I requested for, paying the taxi and my ensuite room!! This man didn't even ask for my details (which most Ghanian men do). He only wanted to know the following day that I was safe after leaving the hotel! I could hardly believe he had payed
me at the football stadium
hmm.. I do look silly, with my Michael Essien t-shirt and flag around my head.. :s so much for me. He is the kindest person I have met here!
Next week I am going near Takoradi (west coast) to a famous eco Guesthouse called Green Turtle Lodge. Check out their website at www.greenturtlelodge.com
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lil sis
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wow ilana, that sure sounds like a holiday! glad to hear it's all going well, but still would like to see more pictures... :) congratulations on your place at leeds met! take care and see you soon xx