Another long and adventurous day and I'm pretty exhausted. So I will put up two posts when I wake in the morning...one about yesterday, one about natural hair...
On the edge of your seats? Goodie! =)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
The Art of Selling
We all do it while on vacation, especially in countries outside the U.S. - buying souvenirs while being harassed by more people trying to sell you souvenirs. We've all been in this situation, whether we're on vacation or not. Regardless of the place, it all happens kinda like this:
- Souvenir Guy: "This one is so nice, you should take it for your son."
- You: "I don't have a son."
- Souvenir Guy: "Oh, well perhaps you would like one for yourself. I will give it to you for $20."
- You: "I don't want to pay $20, I'm going to buy it from the guy over there for less."
- Souvenir Guy: "Ok, give me $5."
Well huney, you ain't see nothing until you've been to the National Cultural Centre on the seafront (right next to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum). All I have to say is, it's not for the faint of heart - poor Roland from Sweden was being ambushed at every turn but "Auntie" Ann and I were pros.
Now the name is a bit misleading. You think "Oh neat-o, a cultural centre in Ghana, surely there will be lots for me to see and a helpful curator to help me navigate it all." Umm, not so much. Picture the biggest, hottest swap meet you've ever seen in your life...and then multiply that times two. LOL And unfortunately for me, I wanted to buy up everything because Ghana is the first country I've ever been to where I have seriously considered leaving some of my clothes behind in order to bring back souvenirs. The people were super aggressive, wouldn't take no (and no and no and HELL NO) for an answer, followed you around popping out the woodwork every now and again with the thing you briefly looked at while passing by their booth, put on performances ("My sistah, buy this drum, me and my brothers will play for you") and were just overall a hot mess.
But I kinda loved it a little. It showed some spunk, some scrappiness, some "I-got-kids-to-feed-and-I-ain't-too-proud-to-beg" mentality - something that I think Americans could use a lot more of. Now, I'm no stranger to selling stuff that people really don't need (read: part-time jobs at Pier 1 Imports and Swarovski Crystal over the years), but I ain't never done it like the people in Ghana do it. And truth be told, we sure could use them in America - you know when it's time to get voters registered (popping up at your job with a voter's registration card), get people rallied together to stop the war (harassing people walking down the street to join the anti-war protest) or vote to keep the black people from getting kicked off Dancing with the Stars before Bristol Palin (going from door to door making people vote for Brandy and Rick Fox). Now yes, yes, it was a bit much and over the top (especially the lady who followed us half-way down the street beating on the itty bitty drum and calling Roland "Papa"), but I ain't mad at them for trying to make an honest living.
But I have just one little word of advice to the people at the Centre selling stuff: Being desperate and pushy never gets the sale. Stay cool, don't act pressed and I'm sure to spend every last one of my cedis at your booth. The only guy I bought things from today was cool as a cucumber, easy-going, smiled alot, humble and knew God had his back whether we bought something or not...and I loved that about him. You know, it's that principle we all use when trying to date: If the guy smells the desperation, that gives him a pass to treat you like crap, ignore you and go to your neighbor to get the goods...same concept here people!
So at the end of the day, I foolishly didn't go to the ATM before heading to the market (I didn't know what to expect either), so I have to go back to get a few things that I eyed while I was there. I made a few promises to people at a few booths and love the stuff in this country so much that I will brave the market again to get it. And when I get there, I fully plan on keeping my sunglasses on, marching right past the other souvenir pests, getting the rest of my stuff, hailing a cab, arguing the driver down to give me a good fare back to my hotel, praying the whole way back that his brakes continue to work as he tailgates the car in front of him and smiling a little on the inside the whole way. HA!
P.S. I saw the most amazing thing today. So we all have seen pictures or movies of Africa where people carry things on their heads. Just so you know, it's completely true. Since I've been here, I've seen all kinds of things being carried on people's heads - two large suitcases stacked on one guy's head, an entire "Sally's Beauty Supply" on one woman's head (combs, scrunchies, relaxer, the whole nine), a whole tabletop full of sunglasses, an actual TABLE, but today took the cake. There was a young woman with a basket full of live chickens on her head. Yes folks, LIVE CHICKENS. And the funniest part is, one of them escaped and almost ran out into traffic. So the girl's mother chased it down, picked it up, had the girl to take the basket with the rest of the chickens off her head, stuffed the escapee back in with the others (overlapping their wings to make sure they were in there snug), helped put it back on the girl's head and kept on stepping. I was so in shock I couldn't close my mouth. That takes the cake for the BEST scene since I've been here (and I wish I was lying about this ya'll). LOLLLLL
- Souvenir Guy: "This one is so nice, you should take it for your son."
- You: "I don't have a son."
- Souvenir Guy: "Oh, well perhaps you would like one for yourself. I will give it to you for $20."
- You: "I don't want to pay $20, I'm going to buy it from the guy over there for less."
- Souvenir Guy: "Ok, give me $5."
Well huney, you ain't see nothing until you've been to the National Cultural Centre on the seafront (right next to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum). All I have to say is, it's not for the faint of heart - poor Roland from Sweden was being ambushed at every turn but "Auntie" Ann and I were pros.
Now the name is a bit misleading. You think "Oh neat-o, a cultural centre in Ghana, surely there will be lots for me to see and a helpful curator to help me navigate it all." Umm, not so much. Picture the biggest, hottest swap meet you've ever seen in your life...and then multiply that times two. LOL And unfortunately for me, I wanted to buy up everything because Ghana is the first country I've ever been to where I have seriously considered leaving some of my clothes behind in order to bring back souvenirs. The people were super aggressive, wouldn't take no (and no and no and HELL NO) for an answer, followed you around popping out the woodwork every now and again with the thing you briefly looked at while passing by their booth, put on performances ("My sistah, buy this drum, me and my brothers will play for you") and were just overall a hot mess.
But I kinda loved it a little. It showed some spunk, some scrappiness, some "I-got-kids-to-feed-and-I-ain't-too-proud-to-beg" mentality - something that I think Americans could use a lot more of. Now, I'm no stranger to selling stuff that people really don't need (read: part-time jobs at Pier 1 Imports and Swarovski Crystal over the years), but I ain't never done it like the people in Ghana do it. And truth be told, we sure could use them in America - you know when it's time to get voters registered (popping up at your job with a voter's registration card), get people rallied together to stop the war (harassing people walking down the street to join the anti-war protest) or vote to keep the black people from getting kicked off Dancing with the Stars before Bristol Palin (going from door to door making people vote for Brandy and Rick Fox). Now yes, yes, it was a bit much and over the top (especially the lady who followed us half-way down the street beating on the itty bitty drum and calling Roland "Papa"), but I ain't mad at them for trying to make an honest living.
But I have just one little word of advice to the people at the Centre selling stuff: Being desperate and pushy never gets the sale. Stay cool, don't act pressed and I'm sure to spend every last one of my cedis at your booth. The only guy I bought things from today was cool as a cucumber, easy-going, smiled alot, humble and knew God had his back whether we bought something or not...and I loved that about him. You know, it's that principle we all use when trying to date: If the guy smells the desperation, that gives him a pass to treat you like crap, ignore you and go to your neighbor to get the goods...same concept here people!
So at the end of the day, I foolishly didn't go to the ATM before heading to the market (I didn't know what to expect either), so I have to go back to get a few things that I eyed while I was there. I made a few promises to people at a few booths and love the stuff in this country so much that I will brave the market again to get it. And when I get there, I fully plan on keeping my sunglasses on, marching right past the other souvenir pests, getting the rest of my stuff, hailing a cab, arguing the driver down to give me a good fare back to my hotel, praying the whole way back that his brakes continue to work as he tailgates the car in front of him and smiling a little on the inside the whole way. HA!
P.S. I saw the most amazing thing today. So we all have seen pictures or movies of Africa where people carry things on their heads. Just so you know, it's completely true. Since I've been here, I've seen all kinds of things being carried on people's heads - two large suitcases stacked on one guy's head, an entire "Sally's Beauty Supply" on one woman's head (combs, scrunchies, relaxer, the whole nine), a whole tabletop full of sunglasses, an actual TABLE, but today took the cake. There was a young woman with a basket full of live chickens on her head. Yes folks, LIVE CHICKENS. And the funniest part is, one of them escaped and almost ran out into traffic. So the girl's mother chased it down, picked it up, had the girl to take the basket with the rest of the chickens off her head, stuffed the escapee back in with the others (overlapping their wings to make sure they were in there snug), helped put it back on the girl's head and kept on stepping. I was so in shock I couldn't close my mouth. That takes the cake for the BEST scene since I've been here (and I wish I was lying about this ya'll). LOLLLLL
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| Inside one of the shops in the Cultural Centre...the only place I bought something from. |
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| As you can see, there's a LOT of cultural going on at this centre. HA! |
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| My newfound buddy Martin and his brothers play the drums for us as a way of saying "You-should-buy-it-now-that-you-know-it-works" |
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| Look close people, blow this up to 500%, do whatever you have to do to get a glimpse of the chickens in the head basket. The best scene EVER, so unforgettable. I have video of the "chicken trying to cross the road" and will share on Snapfish. |
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| All of this foolishness happened just steps away from the place where Ghana's first President Kwame Nkrumah is buried. |
Sunday, December 19, 2010
And on the Seventh Day I Rested
It's hard to believe how much I've crammed into one week - this time last week I was working at least twelve hours each day and then going home to organize and pack for this trip, flew half way across the world, partied 'til the wee hours of the morning, took in some of that hot Ghana sun and on the seventh day...I rested!
Today I woke up at 6:30 a.m. (with the help of the roosters outside my window) to get to a 7:45 a.m. church service with Agnes, a good grad school friend of my friend Thenera who is back here in her homeland of Ghana after spending some time in NYC. Yes, folks, I woke up at 6:30 in the morning...and so we're clear, that was only for the Lord so don't get any bright ideas. HA!
After going all the way across town with the taxi driver asking a few different people where the church was and then the last guy just hopping in the front seat and going all the way there with us, I finally made it. Sidenote: Keysha and Dashe, I saw a Kingdom Hall on the way to church - same set up, square building with a gate around it.
So I get in the church (late because we got turned around a few times) and I can't concentrate for a few reasons. 1) The church ladies in the states ain't got nothing on Ghana. I was so in awe of the fashion of the Ghanaian ladies that I had a hard time concentrating because I was staring at every single beautiful outfit that walked past. I literally wanted to pull out my camera during offering time and have each one of them stop so I could snap a pic. 2) There was a pastor speaking English (with an accent) and an interpreter right next to him speaking Twi, the native tongue most dominant here in Ghana.
Even though I caught every third word, it was a great sermon about experiencing the totality of God's blessings and how obedience and belief allows you to experience his grace. Good stuff! After a good sermon followed by Bible study, I was off in another cab heading back toward my hotel. My cab driver this time around, Sir Jonas Pra of Cape Coast, took me on the scenic route and it was awesome. After snapping lots of good pictures out the window, we finally landed back at the hotel - but not before we had decided that we would marry and have lots of children! HA! He gave me an African name Aku Pra...I snapped a pic of my new husband and he was off. I later found out that since I'm the second daughter my name can't be Aku, but it has to be Korkor (pronounced CoCo). So Keniesha, Lakiesha, Dashe and Denise, your name is Aku; Keysha, you are Korkor like me; and Mama, I didn't get the name for the third daughter...I'll let you know about that! =)
Since I arrived in Ghana, I'd been ok as far as the nausea from the malaria meds goes, but today I took it wrong and found myself with an icky tummy all day. And plus, I think all the fatigue from this week came crashing down today. I slept soundly by the pool until Michael came to retrieve the cell phones his Auntie Evelyn sent with me to bring to him in Ghana to fix. Evelyn is a woman I met a few weeks ago at the Children of Uganda fundraiser who was so kind as to put me in touch with her nephew and nieces here in the country to hang out with (in the last blog, I mentioned that she works at the IMF and was acquainted with the other woman here at my hotel).
Michael is a young baby-faced man child of almost 31 who is soft-spoken, very into technology and fixing things, mannerable and was raised by a host of relatives as he lost his mother at the young age of 5. So when I mentioned my cell phone doesn't work over here, he set out on an all-day mission to fix it...I mean ALL day! I had to DRAG him away to walk down to the ocean and through the neighborhood on a nice stroll at dusk. I have decided that I am so in love with the children of Ghana - they are sturdy, resourceful, care-free, active and cute. I mean, who knew they still made kids like these?!
All in all, good day, lots of dozing in the cabana while Michael plotted and schemed new ways of getting my phone to recognize the networks in Ghana and for the SIM card to work. Michael, Kate and I were supposed to go out partying tonight but yours truly is pooped. Also at the hotel, Petra (a Slovenian woman who has been here for a couple months trying to adopt a little Ghanaian three-year old boy named Kofi) is stuck here for another few days because of the crazy snowing in Europe (they're making London home). She wasn't phased because as she said "Kofi was born for me", so she has her boy and couldn't care less where they are just as long as they are together...and they're blessed to have each other.
So looks like for one reason or another, we're all chilling out today. Phone update: Still not working, Michael left feeling defeated...I blame Verizon and will be giving them a piece of my mind when I get back. I might buy a cheap phone over here to have when I get on the road to Cape Coast and Kumasi and then I might continue to rough it. More to come on that front.
Night night ya'll, sorry these are getting longer and longer, but thanks for keeping up with me.
Today I woke up at 6:30 a.m. (with the help of the roosters outside my window) to get to a 7:45 a.m. church service with Agnes, a good grad school friend of my friend Thenera who is back here in her homeland of Ghana after spending some time in NYC. Yes, folks, I woke up at 6:30 in the morning...and so we're clear, that was only for the Lord so don't get any bright ideas. HA!
After going all the way across town with the taxi driver asking a few different people where the church was and then the last guy just hopping in the front seat and going all the way there with us, I finally made it. Sidenote: Keysha and Dashe, I saw a Kingdom Hall on the way to church - same set up, square building with a gate around it.
So I get in the church (late because we got turned around a few times) and I can't concentrate for a few reasons. 1) The church ladies in the states ain't got nothing on Ghana. I was so in awe of the fashion of the Ghanaian ladies that I had a hard time concentrating because I was staring at every single beautiful outfit that walked past. I literally wanted to pull out my camera during offering time and have each one of them stop so I could snap a pic. 2) There was a pastor speaking English (with an accent) and an interpreter right next to him speaking Twi, the native tongue most dominant here in Ghana.
Even though I caught every third word, it was a great sermon about experiencing the totality of God's blessings and how obedience and belief allows you to experience his grace. Good stuff! After a good sermon followed by Bible study, I was off in another cab heading back toward my hotel. My cab driver this time around, Sir Jonas Pra of Cape Coast, took me on the scenic route and it was awesome. After snapping lots of good pictures out the window, we finally landed back at the hotel - but not before we had decided that we would marry and have lots of children! HA! He gave me an African name Aku Pra...I snapped a pic of my new husband and he was off. I later found out that since I'm the second daughter my name can't be Aku, but it has to be Korkor (pronounced CoCo). So Keniesha, Lakiesha, Dashe and Denise, your name is Aku; Keysha, you are Korkor like me; and Mama, I didn't get the name for the third daughter...I'll let you know about that! =)
Since I arrived in Ghana, I'd been ok as far as the nausea from the malaria meds goes, but today I took it wrong and found myself with an icky tummy all day. And plus, I think all the fatigue from this week came crashing down today. I slept soundly by the pool until Michael came to retrieve the cell phones his Auntie Evelyn sent with me to bring to him in Ghana to fix. Evelyn is a woman I met a few weeks ago at the Children of Uganda fundraiser who was so kind as to put me in touch with her nephew and nieces here in the country to hang out with (in the last blog, I mentioned that she works at the IMF and was acquainted with the other woman here at my hotel).
Michael is a young baby-faced man child of almost 31 who is soft-spoken, very into technology and fixing things, mannerable and was raised by a host of relatives as he lost his mother at the young age of 5. So when I mentioned my cell phone doesn't work over here, he set out on an all-day mission to fix it...I mean ALL day! I had to DRAG him away to walk down to the ocean and through the neighborhood on a nice stroll at dusk. I have decided that I am so in love with the children of Ghana - they are sturdy, resourceful, care-free, active and cute. I mean, who knew they still made kids like these?!
All in all, good day, lots of dozing in the cabana while Michael plotted and schemed new ways of getting my phone to recognize the networks in Ghana and for the SIM card to work. Michael, Kate and I were supposed to go out partying tonight but yours truly is pooped. Also at the hotel, Petra (a Slovenian woman who has been here for a couple months trying to adopt a little Ghanaian three-year old boy named Kofi) is stuck here for another few days because of the crazy snowing in Europe (they're making London home). She wasn't phased because as she said "Kofi was born for me", so she has her boy and couldn't care less where they are just as long as they are together...and they're blessed to have each other.
So looks like for one reason or another, we're all chilling out today. Phone update: Still not working, Michael left feeling defeated...I blame Verizon and will be giving them a piece of my mind when I get back. I might buy a cheap phone over here to have when I get on the road to Cape Coast and Kumasi and then I might continue to rough it. More to come on that front.
Night night ya'll, sorry these are getting longer and longer, but thanks for keeping up with me.
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| Kate and I showing love before I head off to church. By the smile on my face, you wouldn't even know that it's VERY early in the morning. |
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| My favorite buddy Nenekwame and I snap pics before church. |
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| Awwww, my love Jonas Pra. He kinda looks like my Uncle Calvin, so somehow I feel like I just married my cousin! HA! |
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| Look at that face! I love the kids here in Ghana, he was leading the horses down to the ocean to take baths, one by one. |
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| Oh dear, sweet, determined Michael. He was really working on my phone...and lo and behold, still doesn't work. |
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| Petra and Kofi - he's just too cute for words and they are so in love with each other. |
Saturday, December 18, 2010
It's a Small World After All
You know that old saying, "You can go halfway around the world and meet someone who lives five minutes from you?" No? Well that's because I think I just made it up! Anyway, that has happened alot over these past two days in Ghana.
Today, after sleeping late, jumping around in the pool and having some of the best "fish and chips" ever (succulent grilled grouper, french fries and plaintains), I got dressed and went out into Accra with my Swedish buddies Ann and Roland - not a married couple, just long-time friends who came to Ghana to escape the 10 below zero temps in Stockholm right now. Now Ann is a mid-50's feisty Swedish woman who could totally be a part of my family. She spent a few years married to an African-American man she met in Sweden in the 80s and then came over here to the states and lived with him in Oakland. I want to call her "Auntie Ann" so bad, I tell ya. Anyway, they've since divorced and she's moved back to Sweden and this is her third time to Ghana, so she's an old pro (and she knows all about chitlins and grape soda, so you KNOW we hit it right off). Roland is a retired divorcee who is now a part-time driver for the King and Queen of Sweden and is pretty laid back and nice. When I tried to pump him for gossip on the King and Queen, he gave me the old "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you" spill. These secret service types really take that whole oath of secrecy thing seriously don't they?! HA!
Anyway, since I'm having some trouble uploading pics to the blog right now, I'll have to describe Accra for you - traffic jams for days and not a traffic light in sight, busy busy busy, lots of goods being sold on the street (from plantains and sunglasses to shoes and CDs), hot as hell in the daytime, music blasting from a range of different artists like Madonna and Faith Evans, lots of horn honking, an open drainage system along the roads so you really gotta watch your step, old and new buildings jammed in together - just AMAZING! HA! We had a great time walking down the street, going to the market and learning how to say "no" politely to tons of vendors offering up whatever they were selling.
Now back to the topic at hand - it's certainly a small world after all for a few reasons:
- Well I already told you that Ann knows all about soul food and offered to fry me some chicken and make me greens and hamhocks when I come to visit her in Sweden.
- There is a couple with three boys staying here at the hotel on their way to Liberia who live in Vienna, Virginia. More than that, the wife works at IMF and knows the woman who I met at the Children of Uganda fundraiser from Ghana who put me in touch with her nieces and nephews here in Ghana.
- I saw a guy while in Accra today with a Washington Redskins shirt on. So I go up to him and learn that he lives in Rockville, Maryland - a few minutes from where I live.
Can we say HOWDY NEIGHBORS?! HA!
I love how small the world is and can't wait for more good stuff tomorrow - on the agenda is Labadi Beach, getting some dresses made and possibly hanging out with Jackie (Zenobia I can't thank you enough for putting me in touch with Rene's cousin, she sounds soooo fun and wants me to go to this happening club with her while I'm here).
Anyway folks, off to bed, might try to go to church in the morning...and since it goes all day, I could probably stroll in at anytime really. Also, I've decided to extend my stay in Accra a few more days and spend less time in Cape Coast and Kumasi since the general consensus is that I can do both of those places in two days.
Today, after sleeping late, jumping around in the pool and having some of the best "fish and chips" ever (succulent grilled grouper, french fries and plaintains), I got dressed and went out into Accra with my Swedish buddies Ann and Roland - not a married couple, just long-time friends who came to Ghana to escape the 10 below zero temps in Stockholm right now. Now Ann is a mid-50's feisty Swedish woman who could totally be a part of my family. She spent a few years married to an African-American man she met in Sweden in the 80s and then came over here to the states and lived with him in Oakland. I want to call her "Auntie Ann" so bad, I tell ya. Anyway, they've since divorced and she's moved back to Sweden and this is her third time to Ghana, so she's an old pro (and she knows all about chitlins and grape soda, so you KNOW we hit it right off). Roland is a retired divorcee who is now a part-time driver for the King and Queen of Sweden and is pretty laid back and nice. When I tried to pump him for gossip on the King and Queen, he gave me the old "If I tell you, I'd have to kill you" spill. These secret service types really take that whole oath of secrecy thing seriously don't they?! HA!
Anyway, since I'm having some trouble uploading pics to the blog right now, I'll have to describe Accra for you - traffic jams for days and not a traffic light in sight, busy busy busy, lots of goods being sold on the street (from plantains and sunglasses to shoes and CDs), hot as hell in the daytime, music blasting from a range of different artists like Madonna and Faith Evans, lots of horn honking, an open drainage system along the roads so you really gotta watch your step, old and new buildings jammed in together - just AMAZING! HA! We had a great time walking down the street, going to the market and learning how to say "no" politely to tons of vendors offering up whatever they were selling.
Now back to the topic at hand - it's certainly a small world after all for a few reasons:
- Well I already told you that Ann knows all about soul food and offered to fry me some chicken and make me greens and hamhocks when I come to visit her in Sweden.
- There is a couple with three boys staying here at the hotel on their way to Liberia who live in Vienna, Virginia. More than that, the wife works at IMF and knows the woman who I met at the Children of Uganda fundraiser from Ghana who put me in touch with her nieces and nephews here in Ghana.
- I saw a guy while in Accra today with a Washington Redskins shirt on. So I go up to him and learn that he lives in Rockville, Maryland - a few minutes from where I live.
Can we say HOWDY NEIGHBORS?! HA!
I love how small the world is and can't wait for more good stuff tomorrow - on the agenda is Labadi Beach, getting some dresses made and possibly hanging out with Jackie (Zenobia I can't thank you enough for putting me in touch with Rene's cousin, she sounds soooo fun and wants me to go to this happening club with her while I'm here).
Anyway folks, off to bed, might try to go to church in the morning...and since it goes all day, I could probably stroll in at anytime really. Also, I've decided to extend my stay in Accra a few more days and spend less time in Cape Coast and Kumasi since the general consensus is that I can do both of those places in two days.
Oh, hello there traffic.
What did I tell you? Even Billy the Goat is over the traffic!
Bump the traffic, I'll be in the pool if you need me.
The women here have the "balancing act" down to a science.
Gotta love the random Mercedes in the "hood." This is right outside the Paradise Inn near the church where they were rocking until 3 in the morning.
No Lights, No Problem
At the risk of sounding ignorant, I had no clue that life could still go on in the absence of electricity. But here in Ghana, the motto might as well be "No Lights, No Problem." Aside from the intermittent power outages that plague a lot of developing countries, there was a complete power outage last night...unbeknownst to me because my hotel has a generator.
I was invited to a party by my new found friend from the hotel Kate whose cousin Wilhelmina's fiance Nortey was having a late night bachelor party. Kate is a hardworking single (if having three boyfriends counts as being single) Ghana girl who's my age and loves to party, so I was game. Just a side note: The people at my hotel are AMAZING - the owners Donna and Victor, assistant Kate, cook Janet, and my new friends Ann and Roland from Sweden are the BEST!
When she came back to the hotel to pick me up, I was shocked to step outside the gate to pitch darkness. So I played it cool, like I always walk down pitch black gravely and uneven roads in Africa with party clothes on. HA! Her cousin's house was just a couple blocks away and once we arrived, the party was in FULL SWING, with tons of Ghanaian boys "behaving badly." And I put that in quotes because this was the most tame bachelor party I'd ever seen, with a bunch of guys just standing around in the street, drinking, listening to music pumping from a car radio, dancing and acting silly.
But one thing is true...it was a PARTY...in the pitch dark (the moon was hanging out behind a cloud)...and magically about 10 minutes in, I actually could see very clearly as if the lights were on. It was the best time EVER (and not because I got like three marriage proposals) but because everyone acted like I was a cousin or friend they just hadn't seen in a LONGGGG time and were all perfect gentlemen! And all the single guys (which most of them were) were hellbent on dodging marriage and children well into their 30s...as the 31-year-old best man Niiododua put it "Man, that's suicide!" HA!
After hopping up to Joker's for a late night snack (it's a very hip club a little further up the dark dark street where the women had weaves down their backs, short skirts and platform heels like any club in D.C.), we walked back to the hotel where Donna was waiting for me in her robe at 2 a.m. (see mama, I have a mama over here in Ghana so no need to worry about me). HA! Another side note, people in Ghana LOVE them some Jesus, especially around Christmas time. The people in the church next door sang and praised the Lord from about 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. - they know how to give God his props like noone I've ever seen! =)
Overall, I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with Ghana and its people - I was treated like part of the family and I knew coming to Ghana would be that way. That was just my first day (admittedly I'm late putting this story up), I'll tell you all about my fun out in Accra today with Ann and Roland.
I was invited to a party by my new found friend from the hotel Kate whose cousin Wilhelmina's fiance Nortey was having a late night bachelor party. Kate is a hardworking single (if having three boyfriends counts as being single) Ghana girl who's my age and loves to party, so I was game. Just a side note: The people at my hotel are AMAZING - the owners Donna and Victor, assistant Kate, cook Janet, and my new friends Ann and Roland from Sweden are the BEST!
When she came back to the hotel to pick me up, I was shocked to step outside the gate to pitch darkness. So I played it cool, like I always walk down pitch black gravely and uneven roads in Africa with party clothes on. HA! Her cousin's house was just a couple blocks away and once we arrived, the party was in FULL SWING, with tons of Ghanaian boys "behaving badly." And I put that in quotes because this was the most tame bachelor party I'd ever seen, with a bunch of guys just standing around in the street, drinking, listening to music pumping from a car radio, dancing and acting silly.
But one thing is true...it was a PARTY...in the pitch dark (the moon was hanging out behind a cloud)...and magically about 10 minutes in, I actually could see very clearly as if the lights were on. It was the best time EVER (and not because I got like three marriage proposals) but because everyone acted like I was a cousin or friend they just hadn't seen in a LONGGGG time and were all perfect gentlemen! And all the single guys (which most of them were) were hellbent on dodging marriage and children well into their 30s...as the 31-year-old best man Niiododua put it "Man, that's suicide!" HA!
After hopping up to Joker's for a late night snack (it's a very hip club a little further up the dark dark street where the women had weaves down their backs, short skirts and platform heels like any club in D.C.), we walked back to the hotel where Donna was waiting for me in her robe at 2 a.m. (see mama, I have a mama over here in Ghana so no need to worry about me). HA! Another side note, people in Ghana LOVE them some Jesus, especially around Christmas time. The people in the church next door sang and praised the Lord from about 6 p.m. until 3 a.m. - they know how to give God his props like noone I've ever seen! =)
Overall, I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with Ghana and its people - I was treated like part of the family and I knew coming to Ghana would be that way. That was just my first day (admittedly I'm late putting this story up), I'll tell you all about my fun out in Accra today with Ann and Roland.
The Tamest Bachelor Party Ever
Me giving someone the "Ghana Grip"
Kate and her older sister Agnes (who said she cooks good Mexican food)
Thank God for Patience
Today has been a very long and very wonderful day here. I must admit, I had a rocky start yesterday. Between the snow, the annoying process of checking an overweight bag and having to put it on a crash diet right at the check out counter, the two mile walk through Dulles to get to my gate and the one hour delay because baggage handlers couldn't get it together, I was quite discouraged by the time we took off.
And to top it all off, I chose not to upgrade to Economy Plus and got stuck sitting next to the world's biggest Ghanaian butthole who requested to move seats because of my "girth." Well, as God would have it, I decided to move to the back seat instead (it was roomier) and let Sir Butthead sit with his family.
Boy am I glad I did because I met the most wonderful woman in the very back row of the plane. Her name is Patience -- an exhausted, Ghana native from Kumasi who now lives in Saskatoon, Canada (and yes, it is as cold there as it sounds). She was very soft-spoken, gracious, humble and obviously some sort of rocket scientist according to her job title -- so you can imagine my amusement when she was willing to join in the almost revolt being planned by two gentlemen across the aisle who were not happy with their vegetarian meals when United ran out of beef. After that died down, we talked about her ailing parents and how she'd been traveling for the better part of 24 hours to see them.
I won't go into all the details but I will say this: Patience set me back on the right path and restored my view of Ghanaians as a friendly, warm and welcoming people (screw you butthead in 35B). I started out my trip discouraged, but God moved me to the back of the plane to remind me that a little bit of Patience will go along way.
Akwaaba!
And to top it all off, I chose not to upgrade to Economy Plus and got stuck sitting next to the world's biggest Ghanaian butthole who requested to move seats because of my "girth." Well, as God would have it, I decided to move to the back seat instead (it was roomier) and let Sir Butthead sit with his family.
Boy am I glad I did because I met the most wonderful woman in the very back row of the plane. Her name is Patience -- an exhausted, Ghana native from Kumasi who now lives in Saskatoon, Canada (and yes, it is as cold there as it sounds). She was very soft-spoken, gracious, humble and obviously some sort of rocket scientist according to her job title -- so you can imagine my amusement when she was willing to join in the almost revolt being planned by two gentlemen across the aisle who were not happy with their vegetarian meals when United ran out of beef. After that died down, we talked about her ailing parents and how she'd been traveling for the better part of 24 hours to see them.
I won't go into all the details but I will say this: Patience set me back on the right path and restored my view of Ghanaians as a friendly, warm and welcoming people (screw you butthead in 35B). I started out my trip discouraged, but God moved me to the back of the plane to remind me that a little bit of Patience will go along way.
Akwaaba!
The view from my front balcony
Another balcony view
A snapshot of my little Paradise in Ghana
My first sunset in Ghana
Friday, December 17, 2010
I Landed, I'm Alive...More to Come...
For some reason I can't get to my Gmail and my phone isn't working...but lo and behold my blog is! HA!
So I landed, I'm alive, the flight was easy and now I'm lounging by the pool with the Atlantic Ocean behind me...PARADISE!
Keysha, Lakiesha, Keniesha or Kay -- if you see this, can you call my mother and let her know I'm here (214-883-5312). Will figure out contact later.
Goooo Ghana!
So I landed, I'm alive, the flight was easy and now I'm lounging by the pool with the Atlantic Ocean behind me...PARADISE!
Keysha, Lakiesha, Keniesha or Kay -- if you see this, can you call my mother and let her know I'm here (214-883-5312). Will figure out contact later.
Goooo Ghana!
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