Comments for Macaulay in Ghana

Comment on Today’s the day by Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:09:58 +0000

I’ve always heard New York has some of the world’s most delicious and cleanest tap water (which, many contend, allows them to produce higher-quality pizza dough than other areas).

It’s a shame you’ll have to leave that water behind and go to bottled water. Best of luck!

Comment on Day 3 by Ann Kirschner

Ann Kirschner — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:27:54 +0000

did you eat foo-foo? My daughter was in Ghana and that’s what I remember her eating…and talking about how it was pounded and served.

Comment on Traveling by Ann Kirschner

Ann Kirschner — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:26:45 +0000

I can’t believe you are almost done with your time in Accra…I have enjoyed the blogs and can’t wait to hear more in person. congrats on a wonderful adventure, safe travels, have fun.

Comment on 24 hours and counting by solita

solita — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:06:31 +0000

So now we’ve been here for a week–can you believe it?!? I hope that you have enjoyed the journey thus far and that you will enjoy even more tomorrow.

Comment on Traveling by solita

solita — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:00:43 +0000

I’m glad you enjoyed the visit with BMCC folks. Our travels outside of Accra will be great as well. Can’t wait for those experiences!

Comment on Day 3 by solita

solita — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:54:40 +0000

Your’re right the shopping was intense! I’m not sure that any market, other than the National Culture Artisans Market would prepare you. The morning at the beach was great–for so many different reasons (the cassava fish was high on my list). The restaurant was indeed weird and, in terms of flavor, definitely paled in comparison with that of our hosts. There’s a lot to experience here for the first time.

Comment on by Naseeba Ramjan

Naseeba Ramjan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:42:26 +0000

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…

Comment on A chance meeting by Jaime Weiss

Jaime Weiss — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:20:40 +0000

Hello from Brooklyn College!

What a great story Solita! I’m really looking forward to reading all about your adventures there, and to seeing pictures.

Comment on Today’s the day by Martinette

Martinette — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:20:14 +0000

Safe journey. Enjoy and soak up the culture!

Comment on T minus 48 Hours by Naseeba Ramjan

Naseeba Ramjan — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:43:17 +0000

The day has arrived! I am almost done packing (finally). I’m making sure I haven’t forgotten the most obvious of things, because I have the strangest fear that that’s precisely what’s going to happen. I am hoping that my suitcase isn’t overweight since I don’t have a scale. I sent a mass text message to let my loved ones know that I won’t be reachable by phone. This is an amazing way to start the summer and I’m excited, nervous, pre-homesick, and impatient! It’s a little overwhelming but I’ve got enough to do to prevent me from dwelling on this mixture of feelings. This is still sort of surreal to me. Well, I’ve got to pack my laptop now, so …