Thursday, January 7, 2010

Akwaaba!

I'm sorry it took so long for me to post something.I had to get settled in first and Internet cafes are usually pretty busy and don't always work.But anyway..here I am..and it's 35C...

Landing in Ghana is a great experience, especially at sunrise.I like it here already and I'm starting to fit in.Everything is chaotic but somehow it makes things more exciting.Markets in Ghana are absolutely crazy.Goats and chickens are sold next to TVs and fridges.But everything is so cheap and the food, especially fruits, are amazing.Ghanaians are very nice and extremely welcoming.The kids are hilarious and yell "Obruni"(white) every time they see me (white people are rare).They don't mean harm and laugh when you wave back at them.One little 2 year old girl ran into my arms to see what it was like to be held by a white person.They also touch your skin and, apparently, find it funny-looking.

Music is also a big thing here.There is always someone singing or a radio blasting Ghanaian music somewhere.Everyone here travels by tro-tro 9which range from comfortable to piece of chunk) or by shared taxi.So where ever you go, you meet a lot of people and they are always curious to know where you are doing and appreciate you coming here.

The hostel I'm staying at for the moment is very nice (taking a shower is an entirely new experience but fun).I'm sharing it with English, German and Danish girls.We went to the beach together (for my birthday), visited Accra as well as local plantation farms.The landscape is absolutely amazing and very green, although it rarely rains.

Today I went to the Children's Hospital I'll be working at for a while.They get a lot of kids everyday, especially kids suffering from malnutrition.Nurses then teach parents how to feed the children adequately.I'm starting there on Monday then will move to another hospital (HIV clinic) to see how things work there.I also visited a local school for children living with one parent only.Often the parent can't afford regular school fees so they send their children there.

I'm also learning twi (local dialect).Also everyone speaks English they like it when you speak a few words

I hope I'll be able to post pictures at some point.I'm having a great time here and tell you more as soon as I can