Back in ghana

Trip Start Jun 23, 2006

Trip End Jul 17, 2006

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Flag of Ghana Accra, Ghana
Sunday, July 2, 2006

I have returned to Ghana. I have been sitting on a three different taxis for 7 hours and have been in 3 countries today. I must admit that so far, I have nothing to complain about when it comes to public transportation. I have had very good connections and have not had to wait any longer than 15 minutes for a taxi to leave. I am sure that since I have written that, tomorrow when I have another 4 hour taxi ride, there will be lots of problems.

I spent most of my time on the taxis today analyzing my thoughts on West Africa and what I have experienced. My most prominent thought is that I miss my Africa. This is not my Africa. I know I am not doing a good job describing how different things are here, but they are. I am sure if I had never been to southern AFrica before, I would not have these thoughts. But I have lived in southern Africa for 4 years now (can you believe it is that long?) and I know it well

boy returning from fields- Togo

. I think part of it has to do with familiarity. I know the system of transportation and I know what people mean when they speak English compared to here where I haven't quite figured out what Ghanian English implies in certain situations. I have to admit that Ghanians are incredibly friendly and helpful. I can't complain about that.

I hate it, and I am sure most Europeans do also, when Americans go to a country there where English is not the first language and they complain about people not understanding them. Not everyone is supposed to know English. So it may have come across that that was how I was feeling when talking about my experiences in Togo. I don't think I have ever been to a country where 1) I was the only tourist so I couldn't talk to others about their experiences and suggestions; 2) I didn't know the language or 3) people didn't know English. My mother put it well when she told me that my feelings are natural because not being able to communicate is a very isolating experience. I have to admit that I was instantly relieved when I crossed back into Ghana today because I knew there would be people who would be friendly towards me and could speak English. The moral of the story...: 1) Don't go out and learn every language. (There are multiple morals) 2) Be friendly with people and they will find someone who can help you. 3) It is normal to be afraid and nervous at one's inability to communicate, but you can have a good time and still communicate in other ways besides words

how to cure various ailments- Accra, Ghana

.

A tangential thought from what I wrote yesterday....I was talking about African French being sexy. You know what else is sexy? The chests of all of the men here. This is not just a purely carnal thought. I am amazed at how good of shape ALL of the men are. I have seen many men in my week and a half with their shirts off. ALL of them have such well defined chests and stomach muscles. It has to be genetic. Even 10 year old boys have the outlines of what will be very attractive bodies. I have never seen a collective group of people, besides body builders, whose chests I enjoy looking at.

As I was driving through Lome, I was watching the beach. Togo has amazing beaches but the tides are incredibly strong. Almost no one swims there because it is so dangerous. So I was curious what people would do on a sunday at the beach. They do laundry. There were scores of women washing their clothes on the beach and laying them out to dry. I wish I had had time to get my camera out. It was quite a scene.

In southern Africa, most women put their money in the bra. I do that also when I have large bills. It is just safer that way because you are not going to be pick pocketed there, at least one hopes. I asked Emma if women do that in Ghana. She said that they used to, but a few years ago, the government ran a big ad campaign urging women not to put their money there because it will lead to breast cancer. So now women fold their money in their skirts, which leaves the money in horrible shape. Trust me, this money is very ratty. I am going to assume that I am not going to get breast cancer and I will continue to put my money in my bra.

I am going to try to upload some more pictures now...Hopefully I will have time to get them on the web before my time runs out.