Never “Ghana” Forget It

Monday, February 13, 2012

Today, we arrived in Ghana!! Some faculty told us how everything here is ran on "Africa time" meaning that it takes a long time to do everything. There were diplomats on the ship to check our passports and yellow fever vaccines and when they were finished, they came to breakfast and were taking pictures of everyone. We got a picture with them and they were wanting to know our e-mails and our names. It was a different feeling because it was like they were tourists on our ship and we are tourists in their country. It made us realize how they people feel when we take pictures of them.

Daniel, Matt, Gabby, Daphne, me, and Colleen

I went on a city orientation which consisted of seeing the main attractions in Accra. We ported in Tema, and so it was about a 2 hour bus ride to Accra. The mile difference between the two sister cities is only 18 miles, but with the rugged dirt roads half of the way and heavy traffic, it takes a long time and a lot of patience. On the ride, we were able to see the poverty of Ghana. Walking along the street, there were so many people with baskets of things on their heads trying to sell to cars sitting in traffic. They all seem so desperate to sell everything to you. This really shows to me how poor they are and how much they are hurting especially when mothers and children are asking you for food. There are only about half a dozen cruise ships that come into Ghana a year, 2 times are both Semester At Sea on Fall and Spring voyages. They don't receive very much tourism compared to the rest of Africa.

All mothers carry their children in these wraps that go around them. Look closely and you will see the baby on her back in this photo. 

Our first stop getting into Accra was the W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial House. This is an American who fought for Africa's independence. 

Driving down the streets of Accra, our tour guide pointed out in the Mahogany trees where there were bats. It was insane how many there were, and disgusting to see them flying around. (see picture below with the bats hanging in the trees)

Then we made our way to lunch at a hotel, which was great because they had french fries!!!! WHooo- I was expecting an all natural Ghanian meal, but the buffet offered had meat, french fries, rice, and plantains. The doctor on the ship was sitting next to me and asked if I wanted to try his. I was like no, I don't really like the taste of bananas and he told me it doesn't taste like banana's and kept asking me to try it. Eventually I did, and it really had no banana tas te to it, and was just kind of chewy.

After lunch, we went to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Kwame Nkrumah fought for the decolonization of Ghana. Ghana was the first to gain decolonization in Africa. The slogan in Ghana is "forward forever, backward, never" which is symbolized by the gold statue of him with his finger pointing forward.  

While at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, we saw some peacocks. 

They saved the best for last... Ha! We went to the "Arts Center." This was so OVERWHELMING. I was seriously scared for the first 40 minutes that I was going to get drug off into the middle of this market by myself. The second we got off the bus, they were swarming us and trying to sell us everything and trying to lead us to their shops. The phrases they say are any variation of the  following: "Come see my shop" , "I will give you a good deal" , "I am cheap" , "please come to my place" ,  "Just have a look." Everyone's "shops" were mostly all the same consisting of beads, purses, dresses, masks, pots, and lots of other nicknack items. It was so hot and sweaty because they are all crammed into a warehouse type setting. There were so many isles with tight quarters where people were getting up from their stands to come get us to look in their shop. If you even looked at something for a slight second, they would pick it up and ask how much you want to pay or do you like or say it is such great quality. They will come up to you and grab your wrist and try to lead you to their shop. The whole place was smelly and there was stuff all over the grounds from chickens and there were fly's and bugs everywhere. Guys would come up to us and ask our name and we were married and how many kids we have and for our Facebook accounts.  It was such a stressful experience, and was so glad to be able to go back to the ship and have a sense of calmness.