..the wonderful village of Ghana!
We are about to complete phase 2 of our tour around Ghana in Kumasi and head to the rural-no-toilets-to-be-found-awesome-adventure-time Village.
Kumasi has been so great! I love being here and I REALLY love my family. I will miss them so much when we go, but I know I will come back to see them during my month of research.
Tomorrow, we are throwing a big party for them! There will be a big meal and we are performing 2 dances. I am soooo excited! We've been practicing all week and I think it will be well received.
For those of you who are dying to know what I wrote in Twi, here is your translation:
Hello. How are you? What is your name? Where are you from? I like Ghana? (suppose to be Do you like Ghana but I messed up sorry!) Ok, see you later!
Ok, so here in Ghana, before you even get your name when you are born, you have a "day-born" name. There is a male and female name for each day. Mine is Ama because I was born on Saturday. I posted them below, so check them out, figure out yours, and leave it as a comment (the female name is listed first.)
Monday: Adwoa, Kojo
Tuesday: Abenaa, Kwabenaa
Wednesday: Akua, Kwaka
Thursday: Yaa, Yau
Friday: Afia, Kofi
Saturday: Ama, Kwame
Sunday: Akosua, Kwasi
Anyway, I won't be able to post while I am in the village, but well - there is no internet there. But expect a post full of funny stories, great friends, and lots of adventures when I get back.
Now, I would like to take this time to do an American shout out:
CONGRADS TO MY BEST FRIEND ALANE AND HER SOON-TO-BE HUSBAND CALEB!! GOD BLESS YOU GUYS AND I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!
Talk to everyone one the flip side of the village :)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Me pe Ghana
(I love Ghana - Twi language)
Twi is a great language for many reasons, but my favorite is that there is absolutely NO VERB CONJUGATION! (take that 6 years of spanish).
Anyway, I will soon be posting your first Twi lesson, but for now and the sake of time just work this into your daily life:
Ma kye o. E te sen? Ye fre wo sen? Wo firi hen? Me pe Ghana? Yo.....Ye Be Hyia!
translation to come :)
Twi is a great language for many reasons, but my favorite is that there is absolutely NO VERB CONJUGATION! (take that 6 years of spanish).
Anyway, I will soon be posting your first Twi lesson, but for now and the sake of time just work this into your daily life:
Ma kye o. E te sen? Ye fre wo sen? Wo firi hen? Me pe Ghana? Yo.....Ye Be Hyia!
translation to come :)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
From Accra to Kumasi
We left Accra yesterday for Kumasi, which is also known as the Ashanti region.
It is soooo much more calm then Accra. Holy smokes! I love it. We have resumed Twi classes and I love that. I feel like I am getting a hang of the language, but I still have a long way to go.
I'm living with a new family now and they are great. There are tons of people in the house and it's crazy and fun, even though the 18month old still doesn't know what to do with me.
I'm at the neighbors using the internet and I don't want to be long. Kumasi is off to a great start. I can't wait to keep learning and start dance classes :)
Ye da onyame ase (we thank God- Twi language)
Peace out slices!
**P.S. SHOUT OUT TO MY CAPITAL UNIVERSITY PEEPS! Miss you and hope all is well :)
It is soooo much more calm then Accra. Holy smokes! I love it. We have resumed Twi classes and I love that. I feel like I am getting a hang of the language, but I still have a long way to go.
I'm living with a new family now and they are great. There are tons of people in the house and it's crazy and fun, even though the 18month old still doesn't know what to do with me.
I'm at the neighbors using the internet and I don't want to be long. Kumasi is off to a great start. I can't wait to keep learning and start dance classes :)
Ye da onyame ase (we thank God- Twi language)
Peace out slices!
**P.S. SHOUT OUT TO MY CAPITAL UNIVERSITY PEEPS! Miss you and hope all is well :)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Don't you love life's quirks?
And when you live in Ghana there are many. Those quirks turn into stories which turn into memories, which carve their own place in your soul and shape you. Here are so of my favorite memories from my time here in Accra, as I prepare to go to Kumasi:
*Chro-Chros. Those pesky janky euro vans that escourt one anywhere they could possibly need to go. They are packed. They are hot. They are manned by drivers who take the law into their own hands. But I love them.
*Batik. The other day I learned to batik from a man named King David. We did it outside and it was wonderful. It was a dream come true and really fun. My final product is just one of many to come.
*The Ghanian police. When I was late and lost in Accra, the Ghanian police officer, who I asked for help, stopped traffic to find me a Chro-Chro. Props to them!
*The beach. So since Accra is on the coast, beaches are accessable to all. And if you like being heckled and asked to buy things every waking second - including being stalked down the beach- then Lambardie beach in Accra is for you. It wasn't a bad experience though. I got some sun, bonded with my peers, and ate a really great vegetable sandwich.
*Our Twi language skit. Basically making fun of Chro-Chros and children who stare at you all the time. Good times.
*My Auntie Macy's place. She has a small "restaurant" in a small corner of campus. I love it! I go there everyday, greet here and her mother, and enjoy the peace and quite of her little hide away.
*Getting my hair braided. I made great great friends, laughed a lot, watched the black stars dominate sudan, and laughed a lot (did I already say that). 5 hours well well spent.
*Getting beads around my waist. Women in Ghana wear them for beauty purposes. I am now a Ghanian according to my host sister. I love them. They are way better than ANYTHING victoria secret could ever put out.
*My host family. Basically, I love them. They are the best you could ask for, even though my 6 year old sister is crazy. Pray for them. Love them because I do, they are worth it.
*Alvaro pear. Trust me, it will ROCK your world.
*My peers. Everyone on this trip is so funny and beautiful. I couldn't ask for better company. God has blessed me with them, fo so!
*Bucket Showers. Nothing sexier then pouring semi-hot water on yourself
*DANCE. because it's DANCE!!! and not just dance, it's AFRICAN DANCE!
*Classes. I've learned so much and am so grateful for that knowledge. Our lecturers have been amazing. I am so grateful for them!
*Papa Attah, Yemi, Kokroko, Krachokye, and Ester. Our staff. Our family. Our source of humor and comfort. They are blessings.
There is so much more. I could go on forever. But that is a taste of Accra so far. See ya in Kumasi!
Nyame Nyira Wo (God Bless You - Twi language)
*Chro-Chros. Those pesky janky euro vans that escourt one anywhere they could possibly need to go. They are packed. They are hot. They are manned by drivers who take the law into their own hands. But I love them.
*Batik. The other day I learned to batik from a man named King David. We did it outside and it was wonderful. It was a dream come true and really fun. My final product is just one of many to come.
*The Ghanian police. When I was late and lost in Accra, the Ghanian police officer, who I asked for help, stopped traffic to find me a Chro-Chro. Props to them!
*The beach. So since Accra is on the coast, beaches are accessable to all. And if you like being heckled and asked to buy things every waking second - including being stalked down the beach- then Lambardie beach in Accra is for you. It wasn't a bad experience though. I got some sun, bonded with my peers, and ate a really great vegetable sandwich.
*Our Twi language skit. Basically making fun of Chro-Chros and children who stare at you all the time. Good times.
*My Auntie Macy's place. She has a small "restaurant" in a small corner of campus. I love it! I go there everyday, greet here and her mother, and enjoy the peace and quite of her little hide away.
*Getting my hair braided. I made great great friends, laughed a lot, watched the black stars dominate sudan, and laughed a lot (did I already say that). 5 hours well well spent.
*Getting beads around my waist. Women in Ghana wear them for beauty purposes. I am now a Ghanian according to my host sister. I love them. They are way better than ANYTHING victoria secret could ever put out.
*My host family. Basically, I love them. They are the best you could ask for, even though my 6 year old sister is crazy. Pray for them. Love them because I do, they are worth it.
*Alvaro pear. Trust me, it will ROCK your world.
*My peers. Everyone on this trip is so funny and beautiful. I couldn't ask for better company. God has blessed me with them, fo so!
*Bucket Showers. Nothing sexier then pouring semi-hot water on yourself
*DANCE. because it's DANCE!!! and not just dance, it's AFRICAN DANCE!
*Classes. I've learned so much and am so grateful for that knowledge. Our lecturers have been amazing. I am so grateful for them!
*Papa Attah, Yemi, Kokroko, Krachokye, and Ester. Our staff. Our family. Our source of humor and comfort. They are blessings.
There is so much more. I could go on forever. But that is a taste of Accra so far. See ya in Kumasi!
Nyame Nyira Wo (God Bless You - Twi language)
Friday, September 4, 2009
The adventures of Rachel and the Chro-Chro!
Chro-Chros are the Ghanaian equivalent of a city bus. The concept is the same, but chro-chros take more liberty with traffic laws, cost less, and provide a thrilling adventure while traveling through Accra. Also, Chro-Chros are basically glorified 15 passanger euro-vans that are brightly colored, slightly run down, and boast loud music. There is a driver, or course, and a mate. The mate calls out where the Chro-Chro is headed and takes the money from you once you get off.
This morning, at 6:30AM, I embarked on my Chro-Chro adventure. Fortunately, the people in Ghana are so friendly that I was able to get serious help while searching for the Medina/Legon chro-chro.
Once on the Chro-Chro, I met a woman named Na who was very nice and quite friendly. She also saved my life because I did not realize I needed to get off when I did and nearly missed my stop. She called out to the mate and we abruptly swung off the paved road onto the dusty, sandy shoulder and I promptly hopped out, not forgetting to thank Na of course.
Then I crossed 4 lanes of traffic with my bright yellow backpack facing the front, sweating, smiling, and enjoying my first day at the Institute of African Studies :)
p.s. BEACH TOMORROW! Can't wait!
This morning, at 6:30AM, I embarked on my Chro-Chro adventure. Fortunately, the people in Ghana are so friendly that I was able to get serious help while searching for the Medina/Legon chro-chro.
Once on the Chro-Chro, I met a woman named Na who was very nice and quite friendly. She also saved my life because I did not realize I needed to get off when I did and nearly missed my stop. She called out to the mate and we abruptly swung off the paved road onto the dusty, sandy shoulder and I promptly hopped out, not forgetting to thank Na of course.
Then I crossed 4 lanes of traffic with my bright yellow backpack facing the front, sweating, smiling, and enjoying my first day at the Institute of African Studies :)
p.s. BEACH TOMORROW! Can't wait!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Greetings from Ghana
I made it! I officially made it to Accra!
The flights were good, no major mishaps except the little girl that dumped her orange juice on the floor and having to go through London security twice due to my own bad sense of direction. Regardless, they were great and I am happy to be here.
I really like my peers. They are from all over, most at from either the west or east coast of the US. Right now we are staying at a hotel for orientation, but thursday we will move to our homestay homes and meet our families. I'm excited for that.
Today, we were introduced to the program as a whole and given an over view of where will be traveling and what we will be doing. We are really going to get to see Ghana, which is wonderful. We will begin here in Accra, but in 2 weeks we will head for Asante country and be there for another 2 weeks. Then its to northern Ghana, then back south to visit cape coast and the central area. Finally, before we start our final month of research, we will go to the Volta region, then back to Accra. It's going to be quite a trip!
Some of the things that we will be studying and participating in include:
Batik
Weaving
Beading
Ceramics
Dance
Drumming
Basket Weaving
...just to name a few.
Speaking of names, here are those of my peers:
Mara, Lydia, Amanda, Trina, Laura, Megan, Megan, Natalie, Claire, Grace, Paco *yes the only guy, Jessie, Izabel, and myself :)
Well, got to go, my internet is about to run out. Keep a look out for more posts!
The flights were good, no major mishaps except the little girl that dumped her orange juice on the floor and having to go through London security twice due to my own bad sense of direction. Regardless, they were great and I am happy to be here.
I really like my peers. They are from all over, most at from either the west or east coast of the US. Right now we are staying at a hotel for orientation, but thursday we will move to our homestay homes and meet our families. I'm excited for that.
Today, we were introduced to the program as a whole and given an over view of where will be traveling and what we will be doing. We are really going to get to see Ghana, which is wonderful. We will begin here in Accra, but in 2 weeks we will head for Asante country and be there for another 2 weeks. Then its to northern Ghana, then back south to visit cape coast and the central area. Finally, before we start our final month of research, we will go to the Volta region, then back to Accra. It's going to be quite a trip!
Some of the things that we will be studying and participating in include:
Batik
Weaving
Beading
Ceramics
Dance
Drumming
Basket Weaving
...just to name a few.
Speaking of names, here are those of my peers:
Mara, Lydia, Amanda, Trina, Laura, Megan, Megan, Natalie, Claire, Grace, Paco *yes the only guy, Jessie, Izabel, and myself :)
Well, got to go, my internet is about to run out. Keep a look out for more posts!
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