My Ghana Journey: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Second Semester

Today was the first day of classes for the Second Semester. I'm so glad to be back in classes and so excited about all the interesting subjects. Things are so much easier and familiar on campus than they were when we were brand new. Registration was really easy this time around and I'm getting used to all of the walking that you do getting around the University of Ghana. Almost all the kids from my program are back from their travels and it is interesting talking to everyone as they share their travel experiences. This semester will be a busy one as it is my last full semester before I graduate.

My Classes:

Twi II
Archaeology 404 - Cultural Resource Management
Archaeology 406 - Monument Conservation
Linguistics 224 - Languages of Ghana
Linguistics 441 - Psycholinguistics
TADA 002 - Introduction to traditional African Dance II
TADA 014 - Introuction to singing II

So, lots of library time and studying in addition to still getting around Ghana and taking in the sights. I've also started volunteering at a school off campus. There are about 15 children who I will be reading to and doing other activities with.

Laundry

I will never, never, never, never complain about loading up my clothes in my car and driving one block to the wash house when I get back to California. LOL. Each floor has a room with big tubs and that is where we wash our clothes by hand, then out to dry in the hot African sun. They do have a service in the International Student Hostel II where they wash and dry your clothes with a washer and dryer and you pay by weight. There are also several women who work on campus who will wash it by hand. I take my clothes there when I don't feel like doing them myself. They get alot cleaner that way as well.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Accra Mall

I was so proud of myself because I left church and found the right tro tro's to make it to the mall. I go to this mall quite a bit, but try not to buy too much as it is very expensive. I think the reason I enjoy going there so much is that it reminds me of home. I ate lunch and then took in a movie called Red, which was horrible. I walked out one hour into the movie. I then took the tro tro back to campus and was so happy as I passed by all the taxi drivers who were hawking for customers and who love to overcharge us foreigners. Tro tro is only 50 peswas, so you can't beat that price.

That reminds me, last week I came out of the mall and the security guard said, "let me help you get a taxi so they won't overcharge you." Well, a taxi comes up, takes one look at me and states a ridiculously large amount to get back to campus. Even the security guard, who is Ghanaian, was incredulous. I've learned to just state what I will pay and if they don't agree to it, just walk away. I used to get upset, but one taxi driver explained that that is part of the bargaining process. They state a price, then you counter it and so on. It is going to take a minute to get out of this practice when I get back to the States. LOL.

Church

After a long absence, I went to service yesterday. I took two tro tro's and got there really early. It was the Healing Service and the service was so good. Decided that I can't do the whole five hours of sitting in church so feeling like I had gotten what I came for, I left around 11:00 a.m. It was an amazing service and I felt so light and happy the rest of the day. Will try to go more often. I'm so proud of myself that I seem to be getting around alot better and really getting used to life here in Ghana!!!!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Sunrise Over Legon, Ghana

This was the view as the sun came up this morning. I leave for the track as soon as it is daylight, which is usually around 5:50 a.m.

Fruit Stand

This is where I buy by fruit in the mornings. Mangos are in season and they are so delicious!!!!! The woman at the market cuts up the fruit and I take it back to my dorm and have breakfast after my run daily.

Night Market

I so enjoy listening to the sounds of the night market. Vendors starting their day, playing African music, singing, cooking and the banter between them. With the students returning to campus, business will pick up substantially for many of the vendors.

The Grocery Store

This is the grocery store here on campus. They sell almost everything that we need. It is across from the night market.

Early Morning

Walking across campus at 6:00 a.m. to get to the track. Love this time of day before the traffic gets so heavy that you can barely cross the road.

Back To Reality

Now that vacation is over, it is time to start working out again. It is amazing how fast the pounds can come on when I'm not exercising. This is one of the tracks. The nicer one was closed last semester which made everyone sad because it was new and in a beautiful setting.

So For Now . . .

It's just me and the track team.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Vacation is Over

Back to classes. Registered for classes this week. The campus has started to become lively again as students return from break. I will be taking Twi, 2 linguistics classes, 2 archaeology classes, dance and singing. The weather has not been too hot for the last several days but I definitely have to sleep under the mosquito net or get eaten alive while I sleep.

I finally have the dubious distinction of being hit by a travel bug. Prior to this, I had only minor tummy upsets and would take motrin or immodium and that would do the trick. Not this time though. When I returned from Senegal last Saturday, I began feeling ill and threw up like I've never done in my life and horrible diarrhea (TMI,sorry). Thankfully, Leticia was on campus and she and her boyfriend took me to the clinic. I was doubled over in pain so they put an IV in and the medicine started to work quickly. I was at the clinic for a couple of hours sleeping. The tests came back all negative. The Doctor seems to think that I got a bug during my travels. That was so scary and if it was not for Leticia, I would never have been able to make it to the clinic unassisted. The only thing I had that morning was a muffin and orange juice that I got on the plane. I had a lay-over in Nigeria, but the only thing I had was water there, so go figure? I was so glad that I had opted to fly back from Senegal instead of remaining on the bus because finding hospital facilities would have been daunting.

Also learned that the semester has been extended because of the strike last semester so our end date will be May 28th and I got my return ticket today, so I'll be returning to the U.S. on June 18th--well leaving Ghana on June 18th and arrive at SFO on Sunday, June 19th. Looking forward to a productive semester and enjoying my remainding months here in Ghana.

Back to Campus

Volta Hall Seamstress

As she is affectionally referred to by many of the students. Sandra is one of the best seamstress on campus.

Lizards

These are the lizards that I keep going on and on about since I've been here. There is a smaller, brown variety that is more common and which are everywhere.

Road Trip

The French Club sponsored a road trip to Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. I was so grateful to have the assistance of the members in these countries and never knew how difficult it was to exist in a non-English speaking country.

We got our shots and visas and here we are all ready to go!