Wednesday, June 15, 2011

First days in Ghana...

Hello Everyone!!

I have been in Ghana for four days now and I have loved every minute of it! I am staying at the International Student Hostel at the University of Ghana. The hostel is about 10 minutes from downtown Accra. When I arrived on Sunday the whole group went to dinner at a canteen that was about a five minute walk from where we are staying and I had my first Ghanaian meal! It was delicious! Most of the meals here consist of rice, beans and fish. The flavors are like nothing I have ever had before but I am really enjoying them!

My first Ghanian meal!

On Monday we had orientation and a group of us took a “trotro “into downtown Accra to do a little shopping. Trotros are one of the major forms of public transportation; they are insane! It is basically a large van with about four rows of seats. There is a driver and also a man who hangs out the middle window of the passenger side yelling and using hand motions indicating whether they are going away from downtown or towards downtown. When they see a group of people they pull to the side and slide open the door to let people on or off, sometimes slowing down just enough for someone to jump in. One trip costs about thirty peswas, which is about five cents in US dollars. So far I have only ridden it once and it was quite chaotic, but I loved it and can’t wait to ride in one again! We usually walk everywhere or take a taxi, which is also very inexpensive.

The trotro conductor-esque person handing money to the driver.

I started classes on Tuesday and am very excited to get further into the courses! I will be traveling to various social service agencies where I will learn first hand how they help those they serve, and spend some time with them. Our first visit is next week, and I will be sure to write all about it!
Accra is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The natural beauty combined with the vibrant clothing of the people makes me feel so alive! I love it! Downtown is filled with tons of people, markets, and car-to-car vendors. The sounds of downtown are also striking, the sounds of traffic, of which there is a lot in downtown Accra, music and chatter fill the air. Everything is just so new and exciting. It’s a world completely unlike the one I am used to. 

The University of Ghana’s campus is huge, and very scenic! The people are so friendly and welcoming. Their hospitality toward complete strangers, foreigners at that, is unlike anything I’ve experienced.

University of Ghana

I can’t wait for all of the upcoming adventures that lay before me!

Endless Love,
Lindsay

3 comments:

  1. Lindsay,
    I loved reading your post. Your writing is quite descriptive which is wonderful for the reader. I like that you shared a few photos. I am so impressed with your spirit! Keep writing to us!
    xxxooo Sharon

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  2. Linds that sounds like so much fun! I can't wait to hear more. I love the pics keep 'em coming! How is the hostel? Is it a bunch of you guys in a big room?

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  3. Great post Lindsay. Hopefully you'll have time in the next few days to update us on your trip to the coast. Thanks for the father's day greeting on FB. Travel safely!

    Love,
    Dad

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