I'm used to trying to blend in in a crowd of people, but when there is only one colour of skin for miles around this is proving difficult. There is nowhere to hide as an "Obrini" (white person), the upside being that locals know you are foreign and do their best to make you welcome.
Ghana is not a place to wear expensive shoes. Trudging through a stinking market place is a war on the senses; fish in the afternoon heat being sold in buckets, mud staining your toes, vivid African dresses, sweet maize cooking, and the sounds of a thudding bass and goats bleating everywhere.
In Accra we were treated to a Ghana/Western crossover style food - roast chicken, yam, foo-foo, and my favourite roasted plantain. So tasty.
One of the last days in Accra we spent in the central market, and had the most ridiculous shopping experience of my life. All the stalls literally grab you and try to take you to see their wares. It's just what the do. Bargaining is a big part of buying something here, and a big part of the fun - they are all used to tourists and very friendly - and I was able to get some great deals too! Ghana football shirt, multicoloured trousers, african shirts and jewellery. When in Rome...
We made friends with some local kids near our house - one of our group gave them a cheap football and it was pretty amazing spending time with them. And exporting the unique British brand of football, of course.
Wherever we went in Accra people were welcoming us and wanting to try out their English. They are so thrilled we are here to help teach their children. Here they also have a neat system of names based on the day of the week - mine is Yaw (Thursday). It's nice to have a name everyone can pronounce here!
On Sunday we travelled out to our placement in Takoradi, where the real stuff begins. The students at the school seem amazing and I've already taught a few maths and biology lessons after school, they are so eager to learn it puts us to shame.
I have had dodgy bowels a couple of times but otherwise am fit and healthy. Being hygeinic is proving a losing battle here, though, when I return I may be even more disgusting than when I left - and that is some achievement.
Anyway there is so much more I could say, but my hour of internet is up. I'll post some photos on my next visit.
Mahuye,
Yaw
