Cape Coast

This weekend was incredible. We went to two castles, the Cape Coast castle used by the British and the Elmina castle of the Portuguese. The irony of their beauty and horror was astounding. Some of the most beautiful places that I have ever been which created such suffering for so many people. I'll post pictures on facebook bc this blog thing is way too advanced for me. We then stayed in the Crocodile Botel (still not sure how a botel differs from a hotel or motel) which had real crocs under the restaurant/bar. Not such a great idea to have drunken people over a pond of man eating reptiles in my opinion... We had sweet palm wine and played drinking games as a group. Had to get up really early to go to the rainforest where we did a canopy walk through the trees. It was sooo high up and basically had just ropes to hold onto. For the rest of the day we went to the beach and collected shells before going back to the university etc for dinner. Not too shabby of a weekend. 730 class tomorrow though. Gross.

No water, No fun

Just hit a week here and things are going smoothly for the most part. My Ghanaian roommate, Audrey, is awesome and is really helping me adjust to Ghana. There are some unforseen things that are causing problems for me...namely the loss of water in my dorm. It went out for two days which for a person who doesnt shower three times a day is not a big deal. However for me, it was nearly a catastrophe. My thrice daily shower routine was inhibited and toilets and sinks were not working. I turned, confused to Audrey, and asked what we were to do. After laughing for a second, she told me to just go fetch a bucket of water and shower with that. An interesting experience for me...you really have to ration the water so you dont run out and have to run out of the shower naked and soapy to get more. So that put a cramp in my shower style. Luckily water is back on and life as I know it can proceed. No longer will I be that strange smelly white girl. Classes are interesting and some number almost a thousand students. Pretty intense. But at least I think I am going to have 4 day weekends! This weekend we are going to the castles in Cape Coast where slaves were kept before being sent to various imperial assholes. Dont know what to expect...should be intense. Thanks for the love letters and keep em coming. Off to the beach!

JUST KIDDING

So i have been explaining to everyone how it is not as hot here as I had anticipated. Recent days have shown that this is not true in the least. It is probably a million degrees. I go to internet cafes just to sit in air conditioning and cry regularly while walking to class. At least sweating is an efficient cooling mechanism...

In Ghana!

I've been in Ghana for about three days now...and have been kept busy from about 8AM to 8PM every day. The first day we went around the campus a bit and were introduced to various people in our program. There are nine girls in my group and we are staying in the International Student Hostel. The University of Ghana is in Legon, which is a few kilometers from Accra, the country's capital. So we need to taxi into town in order to get things and go out. Kind of similar the the University of Maryland/DC situation except minus the metro. It is nice here..i feel like I am always just about to sweat, but not quite. It is not as hot as I expected and I've actually come across a bit of AC which is exciting. I got a cell phone but I dont think that Skype is going to work. I cant hook up my computer to the internet on campus or apparently in the city either. Interesting. The second day we went into Accra and saw many of the neighborhoods there. It is really shocking for me to see the HUGE divide in wealth. Houses as big as I have ever seen and poverty worse than I have imagined. It is exactly what I was looking for, completely different than home. Children especially like looking at our American parade when we go about and smile and wave. They are beautiful. Alina needs some. Next we went to the beach and I had my first attempt at marriage but I think I will hold out a little longer. Waters are really nice and the beach is littered with acrobats, dancers and men on horses trying to make some money. One act had a small child of about 4 who could shake his booty better than I could...and better than most people I know. Ridiculous. Went out dancing at a bar...Chez Afrique. Perhaps the happiest bar I have been to. People of all ages dancing everywhere. Today we toured campus for a few years and went to dinner. Registering for classes tomorrow and probably getting lost in the process. Missing home a lot but I think I'm going to love it here as long as I dont get malaria, cholera, or typhoid. The program directors tell us about tropical diseases every day at length. I think they want us to stay in our rooms and not leave. Write me emails!! And send your addresses for postcards because chances are I lost them :(

Leaving on a Jet Plane

So I leave today at 9 and I couldnt have more mixed feelings about it. Excitement, fear, anxiety and doubt all mixed into one. But mostly I am hoping that there aren't sketchy men stalking me at the airport. I got onto Skype which lets you talk across the world through your computer for free! Go and download it and talk to me. So now you can call me at 301-637-7411 and talk to me for the price of a local call. So excited! But anyways, you make a profile for this and before I knew it, random people in Ghana were messaging me. My favorite is a 29 year old man whose opening line was "I like black women that know what they want." I have a feeling that an indecisive white girl is not going to be what he was looking for. But anyways, being completely idiotic, I gave them all kinds of information. So now I am just hoping that they are not waiting at the airport for me. Good thing Steel Steph gave me that knife. So I think I am all packed and ready...and my last day will probably include some Dr. Phil and Oprah and trying to forget what I am leaving behind as I embark on this adventure. Talk to you all from Ghana. Miss you already.

Trying out this Blogging Business

I'm thinking that an easy way for everyone to stay on top of my adventures is to make a blog. Not a livejournal like Megan's that people can stalk and read and laugh at for hours, but a brief synopsis of my experiences. So yeah, I'm gonna try it. I don't know how fancy it will be or if I will be cool enough to upload pictures on it. But I will try, so be patient with me. Just got my plane ticket today. Made me feel a lot better about the whole thing since it is more definite and less in the air. I really need to learn to be a better planner and stop saving things til the last minute. Anyways I am leaving BWI at about 9 on the 19th...So youd better come say goodbye before then :)