[By Emma McFarland]
The urge to traverse toward new horizons has brought me many places socially and experientially, but never anywhere geographically significant. That is why I was over the moon when I heard about the opportunity to intern abroad with the Media in Ghana program. Leading up to the trip, I enjoyed our weekly class sessions, where we prepared for Ghana by learning about its culture and rich history. Everything leading up to the departure was exciting and new.
It was only the morning of my flight that my stomach twisted. It finally sunk in that I would navigate the 26 hours of plane travel alone. Nevertheless, she persisted– all the way from Portland, Oregon, to Accra, Ghana. Here is how it went:
Leaving the Familiar: PDX→ Amsterdam
On July 5th, the day of my flight, I woke up early to withdraw money from the bank and grab breakfast. My early morning granted me three hours before the 2:15 p.m. flight out of PDX in order to wind through security and find my gate. This process was smoother than I had imagined it would be. I had about an hour and a half left after security to download music, fill up my water bottle, and use the restroom. Then, it was time to fly.
In between Spotify playlists, Lisa Frankenstein, and several episodes of Survivor, I scarfed down meals given to the passengers. For dinner, we were offered a cheese manicotti with a buttery quinoa salad. We also were treated with what I would call the best dessert that has ever graced my stomach– a chocolate truffle brownie. I could write poems about this brownie and its soft, rich flavors that melted ever so gently on my tongue… I will restrain myself for now. But, if you ever fly Delta, ask for one. You will be doing yourself and your stomach a great service.
I managed to take a small nap before waking up to a hazelnut chocolate stuffed bread and yogurt. By then, the plane was close to Amsterdam and it was time to figure out how I was going to spend my seven hour layover.
Walking in New Places: Amsterdam→ Kotoka
The first thing I decided at the Amsterdam airport was to walk around as much as I could. Right next to where I departed the plane, I saw a glass wall that intrigued me. Through the glass wall, tucked away, was a mini museum called “The Rijksmuseum at Schiphol.” The exhibition highlighted Dutch dining culture in the 17th century, featuring still lifes and other paintings centered around food production. I have never seen a museum branch inside of an airport before and even though it was small, it was a breath of peace away from the hustle and bustle of the busy walkways. As I took out my phone to capture the museum, I realized my battery was low. So, I squeezed back into the chaos of the airport to find an outlet. This proved to be a difficult task.
I weaved through travelers sleeping on their luggage to look for a USB-C that hadn’t yet been exhausted by the wear and tear of years of use. One after the other I plugged my cord in and quickly unplugged in disappointment, until finally my phone reacted. While my phone charged I cracked open Slaughterhouse-Five and read until my eyes became hazy from exhaustion. I decided to get a snack of cheese on toast before heading to my gate.
Once I found a spot to sit by my gate, an older woman walked up and asked if she could sit beside me. I scooched over to give her some room and she asked me if I was going to Ghana. She lit up when I said yes and told her that it was my first time traveling to Ghana. We exchanged more conversation, found commonalities in our lives, and practiced a few simple sentences in Twi (a Ghanaian native language). Time passed quickly talking with her. I said Medaase (thank you) for her company as we parted to find our seats.
I had originally planned on staying awake for the entirety of the flight from Amsterdam to Accra. I quickly failed. A few minutes after starting All of Us Strangers, my eyes drifted off to sleep. What I remember about this part of the trip is merely the moments in which I was lucid enough to scarf down food. My ride was measured in zucchini orzo and tomato chicken. Then in black tea and berry tart. The tart was good, however, as I rested my cheek back upon my neck pillow, I fell into another dream about the chocolate brownie truffle.
When my eyes finally opened, I looked outside my window to gauge what time it was. As I lifted the window shade to a dark sky, I was stunned by the beauty of the illuminated city below. We had arrived in Accra, Ghana. The twists and knots that had risen in my stomach at the start of my trip morphed into excitement as the wheels of our plane touched down on the runway. I had finally made it.
Settling into My New Home: Kotoka → East Legon, Ghana
Except, I had not made it entirely. Customs and baggage claim still lay before me and then I had to find my ride to get to the apartment. Luckily, the Kotoka airport staff and security made this a seamless process. Finding my luggage, I hauled my suitcase cart through the front doors and felt a blast of warm air. My first taste of the humidity in Accra. As I searched through the crowd in front of me– filled with taxi drivers, guides, and families trying to find their loved ones– I managed to find Sonny, the Media In Ghana program’s travel guide. Or rather, Sonny found me.
I heard my name in the crowd and saw a wave. I followed. Sonny reached out a hand to me and introduced himself with a handshake before grabbing my luggage and leading me toward our taxi. While approaching the car, I met Clement. Clement was going to be the program’s driver for the first week as we explored greater Accra.
On the short car ride, Sonny shared tidbits of information about the city– how the roads work, when the new airport was built, and our plans for the week. His 15 years with the program turned him into a pro at making people feel comfortable in Accra after only being there for a few minutes.
We pulled in front of the apartment and made our way to the rooms. Knocking on the door, I walked into what would be my home for the next six weeks. Sitting on the couch to greet me were several others from our group, smiling. Akwaaba (Welcome)!
Looking Forward: Week 1 → Week 6
There are many things I look forward to experiencing during my six week stay, including: eating new food, meeting new people, and visiting new places. It is all new and it is all exhilarating.
There are moments when I miss the familiarity of my home and my loved ones. But, these moments are supported by the new connections I have made with the other people in the program. All seven of us have been brought together with the common connection of journalism and communication. All seven of us are away from home. All seven of us are eager to explore all that we can in this six week time span.
Our time here, I know, will go by faster than we want it to. We must experience our time to the fullest.
