Jun 06 2009
Night three. I think after two days of driving around Accra, visiting the school, going to the markets, and experiencing the nightlife, the fact that I am actually here in Ghana, in Africa, has actually sunken in. The first night, our third floor bathroom was experiencing some plumbing problems, waking under mosquito nets, and the sound of howling dogs. It reminds me so much of the Philippines.
I noticed immediately from exiting the airplane that many people were staring at us. We come as a diverse group, and I wondered if any of them has ever seen anyone who looks like me. It’s one thing going to a foreign country as an American where the environment and standard of living is completely averse, but it’s another thing when the country you’re visiting is not a place you can relate to ethnically and culturally. When I go to the Philippines, I see people who look like me; here, no one does.
I am so thankful of all the hospatality here in Ghana, and also so overwhlemed. Visiting the school yesterday definitely is my favorite thing so far. Hearing the screams of exitement definitely is a welcome I have never experienced anywhere in the U.S.
But it’s only day three! I’m starting to miss everyone back home from Hunter and LI, but I have a feeling these next couple of days will fly by fast.
Dinner time..
Being here has definitely been an adventure. Our days have been long, eventful, and memorable. For the most part, everyone here is truly kind and accommodating to us, and the children are adorable and talented in many ways. When we visited the school, they were so happy and as they were cheering for us, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all felt incredibly special and welcome, perhaps more so than ever before in our lives. Then they danced for us (they were really good!) and then I asked if they could teach us a few steps. They did, and our entire group, (excepting Ishmail), learned a new dance routine. The video is to be uploaded later. Afterwards, Priya, Ishmail, and I played a little basketball with some students and staff which was fun but exhausting in the intense heat. I am looking forward to meeting with the students again tomorrow.
Going to the US Embassy was another memorable experience. We entered our first air-conditioned building only to realize that we could not register in Ghana at the embassy as we had planned. Later, we met with Paul Psychas, a member of the CDC, whose work primarily focuses on malaria. He spoke about the deadly disease and more generally about public health work at large. It was an inspiring lecture and I realized how much people in that field are contributing to the world, as well as how much they sacrifice in order to do so.
The market that we went to was a novel experience for all of us. We walked down aisles packed with ghanaian merchandise and vendors who did everything in power to get our attention. We bargained with them as best we could and learned different strategies from each other when we discussed it at our debriefing that night.
All in all, aside from the fact that I’m not feeling so well, I’ve really enjoyed our stay in Ghana thus far. I can’t wait to begin the service part of our stay here. I hope I feel up to it. And now, time to rest and wake up at 6AM…