Contact me....mail me~ letters, packages anything...love mail!

If anyone has the inclination to send me anything here in Ghana......

PMB L4
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana
West Africa

Phone:
027-3939-466~ To call me I think you have to dial: 011-233-273939466

Hope to hear from someone ;)

Laws against homosexulaity....

I realized that it sounded like i was agreeing with laws against homosexualtity in my previous post...that I found it "refreshing". I just want to clarify that i find the openess and tenderness...the loving, and unreserved behavior between men refreshing...and I strongly disagree with the law against homosexuality!

my first week...and i love it!

Well, I have been here over a week now but it seems like a lot longer! Don’t get me wrong...I absolutely love it here, but it really takes some time to adjust- the bugs, the heat (I get all sweaty and the dirt sticks to me! J ), the driving, cultural taboos, and the concept of time!- (Just to name a few things). These are things that I am simply adjusting to and learning to appreciate! Everything is so wonderful- so new and different…...so alive!

There are so many interesting cultural differences that I have noticed so far….

One thing that really gets me is the interaction of people within relationships- here, PDA between couples is a taboo…you never see a boy and a girl holding hands, kissing, or even brushing up against each other for that matter. You never see girls holding hands or anything either…you do, however, always see guys holding hands and being affectionate with each other -simply because they are friends!….I would also like to mention that homosexuality is a major taboo here and in fact, it is against the law! This interaction between men is an interesting observation, but one that I find refreshing. Finally, a place where it is not shameful for men to appear gentle and affectionate/loving towards each other….

What I love the most so far, is how open and free-spirited Ghanaians are…Everyone sings and dances all the time…..even walking alone down the street, people will sing a tune (usually a gospel song praising the Lord) out loud to themselves- Even if they don’t sound great (to our standard- is there really such thing as “good” singers and “bad” singers?) they sing freely and loudly- and some of them will let their bodies flow to the rhythm.

As a white person, I must always be the first to greet a Ghanaian…. But once I do, there faces light up (they have the most beautiful smiles!) and they immediately become your best friend (men more than women)..trying to help you any way they can (they even follow you around at times) and they ALWAYS ask for a phone number- and here that is not strange.

Sometimes I will say things in twi like “medase” (thank you) or “ete sen?” (how are you) and they all think it is so funny! They will laugh and laugh- and yell out “obruni, obruni!” (white person/ foreigner)..then they continue to ask things in twi just to hear me reply in twi- even though they laugh, I think they really appreciate me trying….i will continue trying!

The food here is very different- spicy and gooey! I had my first experience with fufu yesterday- it is a mashed up veggie of some sort that has the consistency of bread dough, and you use your hand (right hand of course!) to dip it in goat soup…it is pretty good but very heavy on the stomach. I mostly eat rice, chicken, and goat soup here with LOTS of spices- and I have not been sick yet!

Something I have to be aware of is using my left hand…it is a taboo! Everything (waving, writing, eating ect…) must be with your right hand. Along those lines, the words pregnancy and menstruation are “dirty”- go figure!

I am sure there are a lot more cultural differences that I will want to share at a later time, but now I want to tell you all about my classes and the registration process.

Classes “started” on Monday, but in reality most of them won’t get rolling for a week or two- and let me tell you, the registration process is quite the task- but definitely an adventure! Nothing is done online here, so for every class I have to go to the department, get a registration slip, take it to where the class is held (which for some reason always seems to be on the other side of campus- miles away!), get it filled out, take it back to the department to get signed….and then for some classes (PHYSICS), I have to take it to a computer lab for a teacher to enter the information. This might just seem like a lot of walking around, but on top of that there are no room numbers, signs….nothing!- I basically had to guess where the classes are held…..and when I would ask people where to go (most of them had no idea) they would give the name of a street or block- where there is like 10 buildings and 40 classrooms! Needless to say, getting my classes in order was a tiring task, and quite the adventure- I met many helpful, friendly Ghanaians in the process!

After all that was said and done I ended up with like 20 credits….Physics (at 7:30 in the morning what???..and I have a hard time understanding my teacher!), two dance classes, a drumming class, a traditional singing class, a history class on African dance, twi (the native language) and intro to Christianity. I am so excited for all of them, but I may have to drop one…probably singing because it is all in traditional African languages, and I am told it will be difficult for me. My dance classes are so fun! I am the ONLY “obruni” in one of them though- and let me tell you….me trying to African dance in a room full of Ghanaians (who all dance so freely and beautifully- it must be a specific gene for them!?!) is quite the site- they all laugh and call me “obruni”, but they are all so friendly and helpful too…I think I will try to stick it out!

There is so mush more I want to say, but I realize this post is already extremely long,…I will post another soon! I hope all is well…God’s Peace!

Traveling......to Ghana

Well everyone, miraculously, I made it to Ghana on time and with all of my luggage! Those of you who know my travel history, know that is truly a miracle.....my friend April , however, did not get both of her bags, so I still spent my first hour in Ghana waiting in the lost luggage line (how is it that one bag makes it and the other does not??). The travel here was so long...and I am still recovering from that...I tried not to sleep much on the plane but I couldn't
help it. There is a 7 hour time difference here...so it is time for me to go to bed , and all of you are probably about to eat lunch! Needless to say, I am suffering jet lag BIG TIME!!!! Other than that, my first day here has been amazing. We did some orientation stuff today....figured out what classes we can take, how to register, and we walked around this HUGE campus for like 4 hours...and still didn't see it all. We have a busy few days getting to know the place.....and we are going to the beach on Sunday. I have a feeling I may be there a lot this semester...it is SO HOT- especially compared to the frigid state of Montana.
Well I don't have a lot of time since the internet is so slow...but i want to share a few of my first impressions with you guys...

the smell of Ghana is indescribable and unforgettable! the best way I can describe the smell that penetrated my nose when I stepped off the plane is sweet and musty!

It is HOT and humid...we arrived around 10:30 pm and it was 85 degrees - my clothes were drenched...partly from my own sweat and partly from the humid air!

The drivers are crazy and Ghanaians are hilarious! Within seconds of getting on the bus, we were almost hit by several cars, and we were honked at the whole way back to the University...and all the while, our bus driver was laughing up a storm! It was so funny...don't worry- no danger. Just fun and games!

I am out of time, but I will continue to update you all...I am having a wonderful time so far, and i am so glad to be here. I miss you all and I hope everything is well. Talk to you soon!