Oh, Ghana

The reality of living here is now finally sinking in. The first few weeks felt like vacation, and now I am beginning to refer to Volta Hall, where I am staying, as home. The vast differences I found between Ghana and the US are beginning to simply fade away in the daily routines I am becoming accustomed to. Walking down the stairs still sleepy to fill my bucket up so I can use the bathroom, after being awoken by a woman yelling "fresh bread" is now second nature. The heat, the extreme heat, it is still here, but I mention it less and learn to adapt my schedule to the swell in the middle of the day. I've learned that if you can remain still between the hours of noon and 2:30, you will last an entire day. Thus, new friends and I have found ways to entertain, eating for hours, having tea time, laying in bed reading and so on. See, at this point back home I would add a comment about how lazy I feel, but I do not feel propelled to do so for in Ghana, a certain stillness is just a way of life. This stillness I describe here is still something I have not mastered though. And the random details of life that I add to my daily agenda keep me running around. Trips to the market seem frequent and exhausting, and for the second weekend in a row I will be departing Accra again. I'm sure though by the end of my time here, I will master the art of passing time with the simple pleasures of life I enjoy, a good conversation, a cup of tea and a powerful fan.
There is something to be said about being placed outside your comfort zone. Back home I am not used to such intense eye contact. It can be alarming when I am being stared down by an unfamiliar face, but am beginning to understand that such form of staring are simply a way in which people connect here. I have heard stories from other students of them returning to the US and receiving dirty looks from the passer by or signs of uncomfort from their friends because unknowingly their eyes were locked on the person in question. I have been told time and time again that looking someone in the eyes and greeting them is a sign that you recognize their humanity. Thus, I am the freak that has been walking around campus shouting "hi," "hello," "ete sen" to every passer by. I feel that it is the experiences I will encounter outside my comfort zone that will encourage me to grow the most. It is easy back home to be so singular. But I find it nearly impossible to be invisible here, in a place that values community above most everything else. So, no longer can I just be a passive observer of life, but I am here to join in, to be apart of something, even if I am not clear what that is yet. I am not rushed getting involved in anything yet. For now, I am showing up to classes, studying Twi, passing time with new friends, and getting to know this place I call home.

For those who are very excited for pictures, I have some good news for you. My friend Natalia here has been able to upload some photos. Her blog address is http://babygotbaccra.blogspot.com/. I am still working on mine, and have learned that I must upload them at a smaller size to add them to my blog, which is eventually my goal. For now, I am loading some to photobucket, and I will post the link. However, after looking at some of Natalia's, I am a bit embarrassed as she is one amazing photographer!

Love you all!