Safe and sound
Trip Start
Mar 15, 2007
1
3
17
Trip End
May 15, 2007
Accra,
Ghana
Friday, March 16, 2007
Having checked my emails on this slightly dodgy internet cafe, my time's already seeping away, but I think I've just about got time for a quick update. I've been here less than 24hours and already SO much has happened, and England feels a long, long way away.
From the second I landed (nearly 2hours late) I was people watching, and trying to take it all in. I've been really struck by the mixture of traditional Ghana and more western influences. Most women wear jeans and tshirts, but use beautifully patterned cloths notted around their bodies to carry their babies. It's so much more practical and comfortable, why hasn't it caught on in the UK?! It was the same walking down to the internet cafe, which I've been shown as part of my first-day induction
Leaving home
. The dusty roads are lined with lean-to stalls; goats tied to posts; and women carrying all kinds of exotic food on their heads, then you'll spot a 'Pierre Cardin' shop, complete with air-con! Nyame, who met me at the airport (and taught me the little bit of Twi I now know), made sure he pointed out all the sights, and even in the dark it looked very vibrant. He also took delight in throwing facts at me: did you know, for example that Ghanaians are the most friendly people in Africa? This one he told me at leastthree times, and I've got no reason to doubt him!
Mrs Obiri, my host 'mother', is so welcoming and warm and wanted to hear all about home, despite the fact she'd had to wait up until after midnight due to the delay. There are also 3 other volunteers staying in her large, white-washed house, but I've yet to meet two of them. Rosie, my roommate, trundled in at 3am after a night out so I had a very long (sleepy) conversation with her. She's only arrived in the last few days, so could sympathise with me. I'm feeling pretty chirpy and not as overwhelmed as I expected, but England does seem a long way away!
I'd forgotten what 30degree heat feels like, and was lying in bed wondering whether it was possible to go two months without actually sleeping
my bedroom
! Having spent at least 20minutes wrestling with my mosquito net I was exhausted, so the prospect was not appealing. It got much cooler later though, and today it's very overcast and sporadically chucking it down. Apparently the rainy season's come early to greet me! It hasn't prevented me from enjoying my induction, which basically involves getting to grips with Ghanaian transport. I had my first experience of West-African driving last night, (Mum, don't read this) when I was impressed to find I had a seatbelt, only to find there was nowhere to plug it in! This would be bad enough in the UK, but add into the equation a complete lack of any sort of road markings (or roads for that matter) and things get fun!Not sure what my schedule is for the next few days, but I don't start work 'til monday, so I've got some time to settle in.
