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Published: August 17th 2008
Sorry it has taken so long to update this blog. It has been difficult to connect to the internet, and when I first did it was timed and it moved VERY VERY SLOWLY. PAINFULLY SLOW.
I left DC around 11. The flight was about 30 minutes late but we got to London 10 min early. I had a whole row to myself but I did not get to sleep at all. I arrived in Heathrow and I was too exhausted to walk around the airport so I sat and read for my 4 hour layover. I went to the right gate and got to Ghana in one piece.
Stepping off the plane was weird. First, I had heard that it was very humid here... and that was no lie. The mugginess greeted me the second I hit the fresh air. We walked down steps onto the actual runway. Getting into the actual country was easy. I didn't even have to prove that I had my yellow fever vaccine. They just checked my passport, stamped it, and I went right through. I met with the flowing ISEP students (ISEP is the program I went through to go abroad) and we all loaded onto the bus and it took us to the University. From being here for a while, I have learned that there are really no traffic laws in ghana. I think there is some sort of honking system... but i havent quite figured it out. Anyways, I checked into my hostel and met my roommate and met with the other students and went to sleep.
The past couple days have all blurred together. Between registering for classes and getting acquainted with the different markets and how to get around Ghana, it has been a lot to take in. Everything is very laid back here. If someone says to meet at 1... that means 30 min to 2 hours later. As they say, systems dont work, people work. Try and give a ghanaian attitude and it may be the last thing you do. there is a lot of respect built into this culture. you step out of line and you are sure to hear about it. Registering for classes is not done yet. Instead of going on a computer and clicking a button, there are a series of steps that have to be taken... with LONG waits in between. I went around yesterday to look at where my classes are and to see when they start. The campus is HUGE. There are a lot of dirt roads and paved ones. cars go pretty much anywhere and you better look out. Pedistrians do NOT have right of way. Like i said, there is some sort of honking system i think. I think if they honk twice it means you can go and once means to look out they are coming and you better do your best to move out of the way.
i have been eating a lot of rice and chicken. they made the food with less spices the first couple meals so our systems could adjust the past few days i've been eating the real deal... and it is DELICIOUS. i havent gotten sick yet but there have been a few that have. i'm taking my malaria medicine regularly but that doesnt necessarily mean i wont get it.
I have enjoyed getting away from my group (we are about 30) and away from the other american groups and talking to the ghanaians. i have met a few and we have exchanged numbers. i love talking to them and they like talking to me. it is a little difficult to understand their english just as i am sure they dont understand everything i am saying. the way it works is even though english is the 'official' language, it is only spoken in certain settings, like schools and businesses. in the markets and in more laid back scenes you hear twi and pigeon english... and for us, some laughing. you dont see a lot of white people here so when we come they see money... and white people. there were a few instances where some girls pointed and laughed... it was funny. all in all, they seem to have a really good outlook on life. there seems to be a big emphasis on family and unity. if you mess up, you dont just affect yourself, you affect your whole family.
we start classes on monday... well, kinda. there is a two week grace period and apparently no one really goes to the first classes so i'll see what i decide to do come monday.
i dont have a mosquito net yet. not sure if i'm gonna buy one. we have nets on the windows and doors but the mosquitos can apparenly still get in... i just use bug spray... its my new body scent. instead of spraying perfume on, i prefer the sweet, sweet smell of deet.
since i have wireless internet now, i can keep this updated more frequently. i cant upload pictures yet, there seems to be some problem, or that is the rumor. hopefully i'll figure out a way in the next few weeks.
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liz murray
non-member comment
MISS YOU!!
it sounds like your getting settle in!!!and have a great time!!! i can't wait to see picutres!! MISS YOU!!!