Day Trip

We left Accra at 5:00 a.m. to go to the Monkey Sanctuary and Wli Falls which are in the Volta Region. The Volta Region is Northeast of Accra and it was a four hour drive to get there. This is the Volta River.

Moses

Organized out trip. He organizes trips for students who are not here with a progam--those who came as independent students. There were about 15 of us that took the trip.

Our guide at the Monkey Sanctuary.

On The Way To The Falls

Our Guide

Wli Falls, Volta Region

Volta River Dam

We stopped here on the way back to campus hoping to get a tour, but we arrived too late.

African History Month

The African American Association of Ghana hosted a series of events to celebrate African History Month. The trivia game consisted of five rounds with questions regarding African history, personalities, sports, etc. There were three groups and we had a ball!!!!

Everyone had such a great time and learned so much. I realized how much I knew about African history AND how much I don't know.

First Place Winners

Team 3 pulled out front early and never looked back.

Second Place

Team 2 beat us out by a point.

My team came in third place. Boo hoo.

Professor Rose

Organized the event. She is a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Ghana. I was asked to assist her since I'm on campus, but by that time, everything was done. She needed me to pass out flyers on campus and we were all set. She did such a wonderful job of putting this event together!

Vanessa Mixon, President of the African American Association of Ghana addressed the crowd.

Professor Rose and her husband moderated the event.

My Professors

Rev. Dr. Dzameshie is my Linguistics professor, Languages of Ghana.

Dr. Wellington

Is my Archaeology 406 professor, Monuments Conservation.

Professor Samuel Nkumbaan

Professor Nkumbaan is my Archaeology 404 professor, Cultural Resource Management. I also took him last semester for Human Origins.

Professor Thomas Akabzaa, Geology

Professor Banning Peprah

Affectionally called Papa, is my Twi instructor. This is my second semester with Professor Peprah.

Around Campus

Melissa and I

Fooling around after class.

Shaye and I

On our way out to the gathering. I am getting to know Shaye better. She is a fantastic young lady! She is a student from San Francisco State and a very wise young woman. Most of the members of the African Association of Ghana are 40-50 plus and Shaye fit right in with us old timers. LOL.

Going Away Party

A going away gathering was held here last night for the past president of the African American Association of Ghana. He is returning to Atlanta.

It was good getting out and I met alot of the members for the first time.

Shaylona and Shaylonda

Shaylonda (on the left) also studied at the University of Ghana and now lives in Ghana with her husband and children.

Eric

Eric is returning to Atlanta and many folks from the Association came out to bid him farewell.

A Toast To Eric

We gathered around to cut the cake and say goodbye to Eric.

Shared a table with Janet, who has been living in Ghana for seven years and is originally from New York. I love talking to the members who have lived in Ghana for some time and hear how they have maintained living in the Motherland and being away from America. All of them really love living here in Ghana and really don't miss the U.S. at all.

There was a great band there and Shaye and I danced and had a good time!!!

Rainy Season Is Upon Us

Starting to rain alot more and in the evenings it gets cool and cloudy. The days have been hot and humid, but not unbearable and I have heard folks say the rainy season is about to begin. I really am not looking forward to it because when it rains in Ghana, it really RAINS!! That and the beautiful red clay earth turns to mud. Now that it is almost March and the hottest months (December and January) are behind us, I can say that the heat was nothing like I expected it to be, though many have said this has been a much cooler year than usual. Last night was so cool that I had to turn off my ceiling fan for the first time since I've been here and get under the blanket which I usually sleep on top of.

Valentine's Day--Ghana Style!

Who knew that Valentine's Day would be as big a deal in Accra as it is in the States--I didn't. Well, it has always been a non-holiday for me, but while I was out last night with a friend celebrating his birthday, I noticed that restaurants were packed! There was music and dancing right on the sidewalk at a couple of places and a very festive atmosphere. When I got back to campus, there was a pool party in progress at the pool. There was alot of noise in the dorm last night. As I have a 8:30 a.m. class on Tuesdays, it was a early evening for me. Thought to myself last night that if I could live in a dorm in Africa I could almost live anywhere. LOL. I am getting over a cold/flu that kept me in bed all weekend so sleep came easily and the bugs that have been enjoying me for the last couple of weeks finally let me have a night of rest. LOL. This experience has definitely taught me to appreciate the little things in life!

I was glad to take a taxi with my Ghanaian friend to see how much the locals are charged vs. what they charge us foreigners. I could not believe how much they charged us to go to Osu with my friend negotiating the price. It was about five cedi's less than what us foreigners are always quoted. Armed with this new information, I can further sharpen my bargaining skills. Watch out Taxi Drivers!! Can't wait to get home and drive my own car again.

Lights Out

Well, I had a first since I've been here. The lights went out during one of my evening lectures. Everyone sat in their seats for about ten minutes and then the professor dismissed the class. Must remember to bring a flashlight for evening classes for now on. The students walked down the stairs so orderly. It was nice to get out early, though I'm really enjoying this class. It is Linguistics 224--Languages of Ghana and the Professor is a great lecturer.

Medina Market

After going to the market last week with Farita, I went back today and got food to prepare. Feeling alot better now that I'm preparing my own food and not eating out all of the time.