COUNTRY: Ghana
PROGRAM: GapBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Orphanage work
WRITTEN BY: Caleb Pickering
Ma Ha (Good Afternoon) Friends and family,
This is the 2013 Antipodeans Ghana blog. There is little doubt in my mind that you will enjoy hearing our tales of fortune (and misfortune) in Ghana.
Event #1: Driving to the hostel was vastly different to the typical Australian drive home. We were surprised by a platitude of small huts selling everything from dried fish to phone credit. As well as a plethora of people walking through still traffic selling bags of water, clothes, belts, food and even ice-cream.
Event #2: At the hostel we met Tina, a lovely Ghanain woman who seemed just as much a new mum as an in-country partner. Expanding our little family was Ama our guide on orientation and the best sister anyone could ask for. The hostel seemed a little like a house in a Tim Burton film, orange walls, oddly slanted stairs and a myriad of mishaped architecture. Aside from that it was kitted out with lovely bucket showers delicious food and toilets with a 'manual' flushing mechanism.
Interesting Fact #1: There is a constant noise in Ghana, whether it be a radip, african drums, or the incessant hooting/beeping from the cars and taxis.
Misfortune #1: We were told off a few times for not wearing shoes out on the street and one of the girls even had someone threaten to call the police because they were smoking on the street.
Interesting Person #1: Ayo! The child of someone who worked at the hostel and a very cute kid who some of us will definitely never forget, particularly the way he demanded that every time he take a photo we "Close our eyes and open our mouths".
Event #3: After the multiple lessons on culture, safety, lifestyle and language we were treated to a tour of Accra. In which we visited the markets, tried the Ghanain food Fufu, which some of us enjoyed, whilst other were not so fond. The definitive highlight of the day would have been the drumming and dancing lessons, taught by two local men, which acted as a prelude to the breathtaking performance of a group of young locals the following night.
Misfortune #2: At the beach, after our drumming and dancing lesson, things took a turn for the worst, when we were nearly crushed by a home bound fishing boat.
Interesting Person #2: Astrid, accompanied us on our orientation as her placement is also in Swedru, working at a local hospital, due to those few days, she is one of the group now.
Event #4: Arriving in Swedru, after a gruelling 1.5 hour car ride, Caleb and Jesse met their new family, whilst the girls continued to Abussan where they were met by many new young faces.
Interesting Fact #2: The seemingly non existent transport system in Ghana is substituted by taxis, but most importantly, 'trotros', Vans which are on a guided route, that technically can fit 9-10 people but more often than not will contain more people than you can poke a stick out. Essentially a big brown clown car.
Much more has happened since then, but we have neither the time or the energy to continue, it being 9:35 and all. So until next time!!!
Interesting Fact #3: Twee is the first language we have come across that does not have a definitive word for goodbye, sooo, adios.
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