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!