I have been in Ghana for only a few days, but I feel so comfortable here already.  Perhaps it’s the weather, or the food, or the people. Surprisingly, Ghana reminds me so much of South Korea. I haven’t even been home during the summer for two years, but this trip here brings me back to a lot of memories and characteristics of Korea that I have put off from my mind for a long time.

First, the food. So far I have liked everything I have tried. Shito is going to be my Sriracha. And rice, well, that’s what I’m used to eating almost everyday. I wouldn’t say the food is very similar to Korean food regarding the style and varieties; however, the level of spiciness and array of spices are quite similar. I guess I feel at ease with the local food, which I was scared of merely from hearing the description of it. I mean, who doesn’t love rice, chicken, and potato chips? Even if it is what we have been eating pretty much every day since we have arrived.

On to the weather. Oh my gosh. I was getting myself mentally prepared for this humidity and heat, which I am still not physically used to even after being born and living in Korea for 16 years! As soon as I got out of the airport, I started sweating compulsively. The air conditioning on the bus felt like heaven. It is the same or “worse” in Korea during the summer. Korea has four distinguished seasons, but they are all so drastically extreme from one another. Summer in Korea is humid, probably 80% humidity at any given day; hot, let’s say the average temperature is about 30 to 35 Celsius; and rainy, some days in August it pours for about a week or two continuously. July and August is monsoon season and no one leaves the house without an umbrella, and don’t worry; people don’t judge you for using one. I heard a week before we arrived that it was raining non-stop for a few days in Ghana, which caused flooding in some regions of Accra where development was quick, unregulated, and unadvised. During these rainy seasons, similar incidents happen in some part of Korea as well. I do not know if this Ghanaian adventure will toughen up my tolerance to the heat and humidity in Korea, but I guess I will find out!

Now, let’s talk about Ghanaians. I am not a big fan of little kids. Sure they are adorable and funny, but you know they can be quite handful. Kids in Ghana, however, are amazing! Every time I pass by them, especially if they are watching their parents’ or their relatives’ stores, they greet me with waving hands and big smiles shouting, ‘Hi!’ Little kids in Korea can also be quite friendly and innocent, but not as much in comparison to Ghanaian kids. I think it is due to being exposed to technology at such an early age. Ghanaian kids do not have much access to mobile phones and Internet, but they have just as much fun hanging out outside, helping their parents, and playing soccer.

There are many other similarities that I have yet to find, but I think I will have to spend more time with the locals to get a good feel for them.

Let our adventure unfold!