Mi ye ojogbaa. (I’m fine)
We went to museums yesterday morning. The history here is so rich. While we were there I saw elementary children learning the things we were learning as well. They were so CUTE (and we all know how I feel about kids)!! At first I was trying to be discrete about taking pictures of them because I’m a creeper. However, to my surprise they wanted pictures with the brune (foreigner/white person) because many of them had never seen one.
After the museums we had lunch on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and then headed to the cultural market center. This place was insane! It looks like a giant flea market with small booths that go on for rows and rows. The people selling goods are so aggressive, but it is not in a mean or scary way. They are just hustlers. Haha. I learned very quickly that the price the merchants quote you is NEVER final. When they see a tourist walking through the sellers automatically add 10-15 cedi to the price of goods. Luckily, I had Frank! Frank is a Ghanaian Professor and he is awesome. To thank him for all of his help I will have to name my first born after him, or maybe my next pet. Frank was my middleman, anytime I got quoted a “final” price I would call Frank over and have him talk to the merchant. Instantly the price dropped at least 10 cedi. The market was overwhelming but I enjoyed the challenge of negotiating (well watching Frank negotiated at least).
Last night we went out to a Ghanaian fashion show and club for my roommate’s birthday. The fashion show was DOPE! The clothes and the models were beautiful. After each collection cultural dances were performed. These performances were conducted by gorgeous African men. Side note: Almost every man I have seen here is ripped to the maximum. During the fashion show we talked to the MC and told them it was Shomya’s birthday. When the last collection was shown, the MC called her on stage and we all sang to her and then she had to do a Ghanaian dance. It was priceless.
After the fashion show, we ate and headed to the club. I never thought I’d be partying in Africa, but I’m down. The music was a mix of American and African club music. I enjoyed the African music it had a great beat to it. I will bring some back for everyone to hear. We stayed there until about 2am, but the clubs here don’t close until 4am. On our way back we kept getting stopped by the national security guards that were stationed at various checkpoints. The car had to be searched twice, I guess because we looked suspicious.
Today we drove through “Old Accra.” This is the most ghetto part of Accra. I finally saw what I had been expecting: children playing soccer in the streets, people bathing outside, and goats running rampant. However, all the people that I saw looked happy. This confused me. Then Kwame (best on-site program coordinator ever) explained that the Ga people are very proud of their culture and what they have. The government had tried a few times to change things in old Accra, but the public rioted. I am amazed people in these conditions are content. It makes me realize just how ungrateful most Americans are.
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