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Published: January 27th 2009
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Aburi
The village where we started our Hiking Adventure! Hey all!
Hope you're in a reading mood, because this could take awhile. Thanks for all of the warm wishes, comments, prayers, and thoughts. Keep them coming! They mean so much to me, I just love reading them! Now, a lot has taken place since last time I wrote, so I'll try and fill in all of the holes. And don't worry, many more pictures are still to come!
We've started our Twi (sounds a lot like tree) Language courses. Our professor is great, really funny, very friendly and a gifted linguist. I can tell we're in good hands. Hopefully I'll be able to communicate a little more effectively by the time the class is over!
Prior to coming to Ghana, I wanted to make sure I was in the know when it came to class registration. And I'm certainly glad I did, because it's been exactly what I expected. Registering for classes can be both exhausting, aggravating, tiring, irritating, confusing, etc, etc. Why? Well, here's how it goes...
The key is to be flexible, and have tons of options, because not every class listed is available. And the lists have no set time that they are
The Forest
Random picture taken during the hike all posted at. And the only way to find out if a class is available is to walk to each and every department you want to take a class in and register there. Now, since the University is rather large, you can only take classes at one level, and you can only take one class from each group of classes. For example...
I wanted a history class, a politics class, a theater class, and a music class. So I walked to each of the four departments, and registered at them all. Unfortunately, the drama department had not posted their class schedule yet... figures. So I walk to the music department, but the class I want isn't offered this semester. No problem, I'll just walk over to the geography department and sign up for a geography class. Wait. I can't do that because Geography and Theater are in the same group...so I can only take one or the other...but I need the Theater class... oh no...wait! I can take an English class, because it's in the same group as music! Hooray! So now, I just have to walk to the English Department and add a course there, walk back to
The International Durbar
Big Party, lots of food, lots of music, lots of fun! the geography department and drop a class there, walk back to the theater department to sign up there, bing bang boom, I'm all registered! It only took me what... five days...yeah... gotta love Ghana!
Needless to say, after walking all around campus attempting to register for classes, any hardworking international student needs to have a little fun. Two words... Reggae Night! The touristy sun-drenched beach we went to earlier that week had been transformed into a tropical seaside dance party. And while I only stayed for a couple of hours, I still had the time of my life!
So, I did my laundry by hand for the first time...it was an...experience. It actually turned into a really cool time because I got a lot of help from a Ghanaian native. Her name is Francesca, and she lives on my floor. Apparently, I was doing such an awful job at washing that she felt compelled to help me. Thank God! She showed me all the proper techniques and tricks, and even did a couple of my shirts for me. She also helped me with my Twi while we washed clothes. She couldn't help but laugh at my feeble attempts though, but hey, you just learn to laugh at yourself. Slices of humble pie are doled out here on a regular basis, so like you're always saying dad, "you gotta stay teachable".
Inauguration day in Ghana was awesome! The people here love Obama, I mean LOVE. We watched the ceremony at W.E.B. DuBois center, on a large projection screen. There must have been at least 150 to 200 people there. Ghanaians, Americans, Nigerians, Europeans. There were vendors selling memorabilia and art; food and drink being served, cameras flashing, lots of applause, a few tears, and tons of cheers. No matter what your policies, politics, or views, you couldn't help but feel a real sense of pride. It was a good day to be an American. And from what I hear from others who have studied abroad recently; those days have been few and far between. At any rate, it was great experience, for a couple of hours, everyone at that event was connected.
City life is great, but every now and then you just have to get out! Fortunately this feeling is shared by many in my group. So whenever a trip is proposed, it is quickly executed! Last Thursday, we took a day trip to Aburi, a tiny village about an hour's tro tro ride to the north of Accra. Once we arrived we embarked on a fantastic hike through the wilderness. It was wonderful! We ventured through the jungle for about 3 miles, before stopping for a break at a nice little restaurant. Of course it took about two hours for us to get our food, but hey, it was a beautiful day, so no problem. We continued on for another three or four miles, down some roads, through a village, a couple of back country farmlands, and some more jungle. It was a spectacular experience! Unfortunately we didn't know that we were supposed to pay to walk on the trail...so after the hike we ran into a little trouble with the managers of the hiking trail. No worries though, all major problems were evaded, and while the threat of being sent to jail was made, we got out unscathed. Following the hike, we toured the Aburi Botanical Gardens, where I saw some of the coolest trees I've ever seen. It was a great trip. But, every rose has it's thorns. Our trip back home was another exciting adventure...
Turns out there are a few laws regulating how many people are supposed to be in a Tro Tro. How'd we find out? Why at a military police check point! Where else? So, I ended up having to get out of the Tro Tro so that they could proceed. Why me? Who knows. To be fair, I was closest to the door, and I wasn't about to argue with a guy holding an AK-47. So the Tro Tro went on ahead, and I stayed with police waiting for a taxi to come by. It was really funny, because I just carried on a pleasant conversation with one of the officers. You know, "where are you from? What are you studying? Do you like Ghana?" all that good stuff. But my time was short lived, as I was beckoned back to the vehicle by the Tro Tro driver. I immediately knew where this was going. Now that the driver had passed the check point, he wanted me to walk past it a little ways, and then jump back into vehicle. No problem. Except, I'm the only person walking on the highway, I'm wearing a bright green shirt, it's the middle of the day, and the police aren't idiots. I start walking towards the vehicle, the guy holding the gun starts to follow me. Yeeeeeah, I'm sticking with the taxi plan. Fortunately, two of the girls in my group decide to join me in the taxi, so I don't have to pay the full tab and ride alone. Such sweethearts! Anyway, situation resolved, no harm, no foul, and hey, not a bad ending to a wonderful day.
Lastly, the International Programmes Office hosted a massvie event for the Special Admission students (That's what they call international students), the Welcome Durbar. It was mix of performances, greetings, food, music and dancing. It was tons of fun that let us all meet new people, experience Ghananian cusine, and dance the night away. I had a blast!
Okay, I think that's everything...man, things are really starting to pick up here. I just started classes today so, I'll write about that and the weekend trips we'll be taking another time. But to sum this entry up- I'm having a blast, making friends, having fun, learning lots, and living life! It doesn't get much better than this!
Until next time everybody, stay frosty.
Jonathan
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Ashley Lovich
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Yay Johnny!
That Jungle looks awesome! and it sounds like you are having a fun and partying! That is what all students studying abroad should do! I look forward to all your posts, but remember to never let posting on this board come between you and a good time! -Ashley