The Facts

I realize I have not been discussing details of the activities I have been doing since I have been here. So here they are in no particular order from the past two weeks.

The Market

Malls are a luxury in Ghana. So for the most part everyone shops at open markets. The best way to describe them is like going to an outdoor swap-meet or a community garage sale. Basically, different vendors set up shop in cubicle size spaces and sell you any and everything you can imagine. Shoes, clothes, Beats headphones, sunglasses, ice cream, sodas, bags, and the list goes on. On an regular weekday these markets are packed with people. So much so that our program advises us not to bring any valuables with us when we shop there. The shop owners are hungry for a sale and will hiss at you (hissing is what Ghanaians do instead of whistling), grab your hand, and even shove items into your hands. A man tried to sell me a flag one day and placed the folded flag on top of my arms that were crossed over my body. Then he told me to take it for free and tried to walk away. I had to threaten to drop the flag in the dirt for him to take it back. All that to say, the sellers know how to use the sympathy card very well. They love to play on your emotions and will spend an hour befriending you just to make a sale. It's like a war zone, you must arm yourself with stern words and shield your emotions with a good pokerface.  Once I find something I like is when the haggling begins. I must bargain them down to a reasonable price because they will skyrocket the prices when they know your american. That same man who tried to sell me the flag gave me a starting price of 40 cedis ($20) and by the end of our chat he dropped his price to 15 cedis ($8). And even that was expensive still. So it an a true art to bargain here. I even have to pull out my African accent at the start of haggling just to get the starting price a bit lower. However, at the end of the day, most things are still sold for pennies on the dollar here. 

Reggae Night

There is this amazing thing that happens every Wednesday night called Reggae night. It is like and outdoor lounge/bar on the beach. It takes a 30 minute taxi drive but it is well worth it. You in the middle of the beach sitting on plush seats running your feet through the sand. There is a server who brings you drinks and food while you are there. As you enjoying the fellowship of friends and the moist breeze off the ocean, there is a live band playing the most relaxing reggae music on stage, and a group of dancers are up on stage flowing to the music.  It is like paradise on a Wednesday.

Kwame Nkrumah Mosoleum 

The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum is a tribute to the life of a man who led Ghana to their independence from the colonial rule of England. The story told to us is of a man who saw potential in himself as well as his country to accomplish more on a global scale. In his life he pushed Ghana to make radical strides including their independence. However, his goal did not end there. He believed that his work would not be done until the continent of Africa was fully unified. It was at this time that he began to see opposition from his own nation as well as nations like USA. He was thought to be leaning towards the Soviet Union's communist leadership tactics. A coup formed to take down this man and with the aid of America's own C.I.A., Dr. Nkrumah leadership fell and ultimately led to his death. His vision still lives on and is evident through the layout of this Mausoleum. It is built symbolizing his work is unfinished and will not be finished until Africa is truly united.

 More The Facts will be coming soon!