This morning we woke up to a delicious breakfast and I finally got to try Ghana’s famous mangos. They certainly did not disappoint–with each bite, I felt a little closer to heaven. The papaya and pineapple were also astounding in ways that I cannot fully articulate. After breakfast, we had orientation with Leslie and Doc. Doc provided some Read More …
On any typical day I would normally listen to a variety of musical genres, including Spanish reggae and Latino dance music (the kind of music you would find at Cow Fish and even Taylor’s sometimes), neither of which are considered to be traditional Latino/Mexican music. However, during the week I began preparing myself for my journey to Ghana, Read More …
Despite the title of this post, in which I am un-creatively stating the obvious, those exact words swirled endlessly through my head (I’m also pretty sure I said them about 200 times, which I’m sure sounded intelligent) as I stepped off of the plane and breathed in the humid, tropical air. The last few weeks Read More …
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 Read More …
Today I got my first glimpse at some of the harsh realities that exist in Ghana. My neighborhood, East Legon, is one of the most affluent parts of Accra. When exploring the neighborhood, it is not uncommon to see houses larger than my own, or Ghanaians driving Range Rovers. Keep in mind that cars here Read More …
I don’t think I’ve ever felt as privileged as I did riding down the streets of urban Accra today. I wasn’t surprised to see the impoverished conditions of the people in communities much poorer than East Legon, where we’re staying. I expected the crowded, littered streets and homes made of scrap metal and whatever else Read More …
The attitude I bore coming into Ghana went something along the lines of, “Prepare for the worst. Hope for the best.” I wanted to anticipate anything that could go awry during the trip. I followed the advice I had received before arrival as closely as I could to avoid a meltdown or intense culture shock. For Read More …
I would have never guessed I’d one day find myself waking up in Africa. After months of planning and years of dreaming, I have at last arrived in Accra, Ghana! It’s currently 6:36 p.m. of day three, and already I feel as though so many things have happened. I’ll be keeping a daily journal to Read More …
The Ghanaians take soccer, or as they call it here, football, very seriously. After being here for only a few days, I have already come to realize that football is an integral part of the country’s culture. The sport is incorporated into billboards and advertisements, and locals participate in large pick-up games after work and Read More …
Ghanaians are infatuated with football. It’s the most popular sporting event in the country, very much like the majority of nations across the world. With a highly anticipated and crucial match pending with Germany on Saturday, our group went to an open air diner/bar to not only watch the game, but to experience football fever in Read More …
Ghanaians eat, sleep, and breathe soccer, and with the World Cup in full swing, national pride is at an all-time high. In preparation for tonight’s big game against Germany, the group headed to an outdoor marketplace to load up on Ghana gear. After purchasing our jerseys, we went to the local sports bar to join Read More …
I would by no means say I’m settled into Ghana. I may have unpacked the bags, switched my currency, and bought a Ghanaian flag but I’m still working on getting into the swing of things. After a long 36 hours of traveling, I finally arrived in Ghana. From the moment I left until I arrived Read More …
One practice that remains relevant in Ghana is the art of bartering for the goods you want. While some outlets have fixed prices, there are an abundance of markets throughout the country that welcome debates on what the prices should be for certain items and services. For example, you can contest the fare for a taxi Read More …
The First 24 Hours: Food, Fails, and Football FOOD Last night, we went to dinner at Chez Afrique. It resembled a Ghanaian version of the outdoor patio at Max’s, with a live band. At this point, we were all walking around in a place that looked like the pictures we had seen, but the only Read More …
After arriving in Ghana and getting unpacked, the group went out for a traditional Ghanaian dinner at a restaurant a few minutes from our house. We arrived home with full bellies, ready to make our beds, set up our mosquito nets, and finally get some decent sleep. Because I am writing this post at 3:45 Read More …