Week Two

Power has been out for a while and, even with a generator, that means WIFI is out as well. Therefore, I am overdue for my week 2 blog. I had a hard time thinking about what to write for this blog because it’s been one of my hardest weeks so far, so I figure honesty is the best way to go. I was told there are stages you go through while studying abroad, stages like a honeymoon phase, the hostility phase, the humor phase, and so on. This week I officially hit the dreaded hostility phase. I’m not sure I have completely bypassed it at this point, but I’m definitely feeling much better than I was.

Food in Ghana, although delicious, is a bit repetitive. You can only eat so much rice and chicken before you want to go insane. I got to a point when I would dread getting hungry because nothing sounded appetizing. I ate a bit less than usual and would often buy bread, fruit and Nutella for my meals…definitely not the kind of nutrition I needed. I feel like I’ve finally gotten past this, though, because as of yesterday (Sunday Aug. 23) I was actually craving Ghanaian food.

However, I still feel a lot of anxiety when going outside. Back at home I can walk to the beach and just sit by myself and relax. I’m the kind of person that craves alone time, and I need it to function. Unfortunately, this concept is almost non-existent in Ghana. I walk outside and, depending on where I am, people grab at me, propose to me, ask me for money, or even ask to take a picture with me because I am an obruni (Twi for foreigner and being white makes it obvious). The picture thing has specifically been getting to me. Being white seriously makes you like a celebrity here, and now I officially know I would hate to ever be one.

To give you a picture of what I mean, yesterday when I went to an art festival with some friends I was approached at least 5 times for pictures and 90% of the rest of the time I would see people sneaking pictures of us from afar. You have no privacy, none. There was one point where I became so overwhelmed by it all I was on the verge of tears. Its one of those things where you tell yourself it really shouldn’t matter, and you should just get over it. But blending in is what I do, I hate attention. And, unfortunately, attention is just what I am going to get here. I really do just have to get used to it.

I’m in a major adjustment period. I still love Ghana and definitely don’t regret coming here, I am just struggling a little. I was always aware this may happen and I 100% know it is going to get better. New cultures are hard, especially when everything is opposite of your culture back home. All you can do is change your perspective and laugh off the annoying, weird things that occur and eventually things will fall into place.

And on a brighter note, I’ve met amazing people from all over the world here. We’ve become friends fast and always have so much to learn from each other’s cultures. I’m enjoying every minute of it. All of the international students here are kind of like my “safe haven.” We’re going through all of these changes together and venting is one of the best ways to get through it. Without the friends I have made there is no way I would be doing as well as I am. They are some of the most compassionate, and inspirational people I’ve ever met. 

So for now this is it. I leave for Kumasi on Friday and I'm sure that will bring about a whole new set of experiences. Oh, it it'll be my 21st birthday while I'm there. And, as always, I'm excited to see what the next few days will bring.

Week One

Ghana....how do I begin to describe it? The best I can come up with is It's like New York City but with shorter buildings (some new and some very old), a lot more dust, much more chaos, and most of all extremely friendly, loving, beautiful people. Seriously the best smiles you could ever see. 

As expected I have had my struggles. For one, power has been out 3 of the 6 days I've been here. But in all honesty that hasn't bothered me much. I think what's been the hardest is adjusting to the importance of contact in Ghana. Everyone grabs at you, holds your hand, hugs you, etc. additionally, being white you are often asked to stop for a photograph because white people aren't seen often.  I think that has been the strangest experience so far. It's been really hard to get used to the attention, especially when I'm the type of person who loves to blend in. However, I'm learning to just accept. Accept that things are different and latch on to the culture in front of me. I'm trying to learn everything the best I possibly can. The correct way to greet, what is considered rude and not rude, and how to bargain at the markets and know what prices you should be getting. I keep having to remind myself that this is only day 6 and I will be so much better at everything in the weeks to come.

One of the best things I've already begun noticing is how laid back I've become here. It's been so easily for me to talk with strangers and make friends. I have been having so much fun getting to know people and dressing in the native clothing.

 It's hard for me to sum up these past few days because they are still such a blur, but I suppose I can just end by saying I'm happy, I don't regret my decision in the slightest, and I truly can't wait to see all that this beautiful country has to teach me. God is very present here, and I have no doubt this is where I was meant to be. 

Campus library

The night market near my dorm

Such strong women

Easily one of my favorite moments.

Indigenous area of Accra 

And So It Begins

Well, it's here. 

The night before I leave for Accra, Ghana. The moment I have been waiting for since those desperately cold, depressing winter days many months ago. I'm not really sure what I feel. Over the past few months countless people have been asking me if I'm excited, to which I always enthusiastically replied yes. And although the excitement hasn't changed, there is definitely the presence of a multitude of new overwhelming emotions. Fear, uncertainty, anticipation, anxiety, and a few more emotions I am unable to explain with words. 

I have dealt with inexorable medical drama; trying to figure how to make my insurance approve months of medications for while I'm gone only to have them repeatedly tell me I had never even called them to have it approved. I have dealt with airlines complications and the stress of trying for figure out what to pack for a country so unlike my own. 

Yet, something tells me these troubles will be the least of what I face. I suppose that's where my anxiety stems from, but in the same note it's where my excitement begins. How lucky am I to have an opportunity to travel to a country with an extravagantly rich culture, and not only experience it but also live it for a whole five months. I can't even begin to imagine the things I will learn and the way God will grow me. Most of all, I can't wait to meet all of the beautiful people I am to encounter in Ghana. 

This is the first of hopefully many blog posts to come, I'm going to try my absolute best to keep up with them at least once a week. But forgive me if that doesn't happen, as I am told WIFI isn't the most predictable, and neither is electricity. Please be praying for me during this journey, especially for my health as I tend to get sick very easily. And for my mother, because I'm a bit too independent for her own good and me leaving for Ghana is going to drive her nuts ;) . Thank you to everyone who pushed me and guided me to this point, I am forever grateful. 

<3