No running water for 10 days

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Yes, so there are usually a lot of rumors that fly around this campus and one which we heard last week was that Ghana was going to shut off the water to this region for 10 days. I thought it was not true, because that sounds absolutely absurd... turns out it's legit. Let me explain.

First, our ISEP leader, Theresa had warned us that sometimes the water gets turned off for a day or two so we needed to buy buckets. I bought mine, 2 cedis. There are two spickets outside that apparently are hooked up to some other water source and we will be able to access water from there to fill our buckets for showers, etc. Well, last night she told us that we will be without running water for 10 days. Ghana is redoing their water system and they do this every 10 years, we just happen to be so lucky to here for it. Now for those who know me pretty well know how I feel about showering, but 10 days in this climate and environment is a bit much for me not to go without one. However, there is a silver lining to this news. Theresa told us that the plan is that trucks will be bringing water for the hostels during this time period. She emphasized plan strongly. After being here for only 15 days I have learned very quickly that plans don't always pan out. There was water this morning for my nice cold shower so that's good. When I was walking to class this morning I saw the trucks. I think it's kind of funny because we asked if the university was planning on making sure the other halls with the other Ghanaians would be getting the same thing and she said probably. They just want to make sure the international students don't complain, because if you had been in the room when this announcement about the water was made you would understand. It was funny, people were panicked. It's whatever. Just another adventure.

I had my very first class yesterday, kinda. I had 2 classes scheduled. One from 9:30-11:25 and then the next one 11:30-1:25. I got lost going to the first class. The classroom where these classes are is very far away. I realized when I was lost but I didn't want to turn around in the middle of the road, there were people around! So I walked to the edge of campus and when it was safe to turn around I did. I found my class, it took me about 45 min. One of the men I passed on my way to being lost happened to be my TA. My first class is Political Science 405- Politics of International Economic Relations. It happens to be with a prof that spoke to us during our ISEP orientation. It is a little difficult to understand. He did not teach, he merely introduced himself and told a little about the course. We had to pick up our syllabus in the poli sci department and I still have to go back to pick up my reading. We ended around 10 so I waited for my next class and went, and turns out, the prof didn't show. I met a girl from Germany in that class though, so that was cool.

I had a class this morning at 9:30. The prof showed up at 10. She said she got held up at registration, which I can believe. This class was psych 415- Guidance and Counseling. It's interesting because where I am used to profs giving us lecture outlines on powerpoint and some posting notes online, that is not done here. She went over how to take notes and made sure we all knew short hand. I am one of 2 international students in the class. I mention this because a lot of psychological theories and concepts were first developed in the US. Therefore, she talked about it a lot. Everytime America was mentioned, and it was a lot, all eyes were on me or the other girl (who sat on the opposite side of the room). It's like when you watch a state of the union address and anything is mentioned about the black community, Africa, AIDS and the camera man searches for the black senator or represenative- that's how I felt. I guess this means I better know my stuff.

Switching gears, I forgot to mention laundry. Laundry here consists of sinks and clothes lines. I tried doing my own laundry last week and failed miserably, like, you have no idea. Today I got someone to help me. His name is KBK (that's how it's pronounced, and I'm sure that's not how you spell it). I met him one of my first few days here. He works in this hostel doing laundry. I asked him to help me do it. I watched. He talked a lot. He is very interesting and he made it very clear to me how proud he is that he is doing honest work, not hustling on the streets. It costs money to go to high school here is what I've learned. Well, it costs money to go to all schools, but I think it costs considerably more once you get to high school. You finish Junior high in 9th grade and then after that you have to go to high school, but since it costs money a lot of people don't go. He wants to go to high school and eventually end up at this university to finish his education. He made me appreciate what I have. He also talked a lot about God. I explained earlier about religion in Ghanaian society and how prominient it is. He was very educated in the Bible and the history of it all. Mainly because it is here in Africa and so that adds a lot to it. He is very nice and embodies a lot of what Ghanaians are known for, their hospitality and kind nature.

The next few days will be fun! I am finally getting set up with my volunteer work. I am going to the Peace and Love orphanage on Thursday. It's in Madina so it is not too far from here. We are going to the Cape coast and Kakum for the weekend. We leave at 6 am Saturday for Kakum National Park. We will tour a Castle and stay at a Beach Resort. Sunday we will visit a Castle in Cape Coast and also the Cape Coast University. I will bring my camera and be a tourist so I will have many pictures so keep a look out for my next blog which will be most likely Monday.

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Comments

[chels]

i can perfectly picture you not wanting to turn around where people can see you haha sorry i haven't had time to write back to your myspace message, i've been super busy...i probably will tomorrow though. enjoy your awesome sounding weekend!

[he is i and i am he]

school days
The no water situation kinda reminds me of last year when I didn't have it for like 3 weeks. My old roommates wouldn't pay their share, so I had to bum showers from friends. Don't feel pressured in the class. The others are probably not used to seeing the people from where the standards of psychology were established. Have fun at the park, don't get eaten by some wild animal.