Ten best things about Ghana

My last post was sort of negative, so here are my top 10 best things about Ghana.

1) My internship. The people I met and worked with at my internship at Hope Community have, by far, had the greatest impact on me. I am actually really surprised at how attached I have become to the boys that I work with, and it really upsets me that I may never see them again after I leave. While I used to not look forward to going to my internship, I now get excited every time I get to go in and spend time with the boys (and a few girls). They really are great kids who have just had sad lives, and are a bit rough around the edges (which makes me love them even more).

2) The people. I have made so many new friends in Ghana, whether it be Americans or Ghanaians. While I do have to admit that most of my friends here are from America, they are friendships I will continue when I return. The people of Ghana are some of the greatest people I have ever met. From my security guard “best friend” Jacob to random women I have met in the market, most of the people of Ghana have been nothing but kind to me.

3) Learning the tro-tro system. I said in one of my first blog posts that I wanted to a tro-tro pro by the time I left Ghana. While I may not be a pro (sometimes I still have to ask), I know how to get where I need to go. I know which tro-tro goes where, the hand symbols the mates make to show which way they are heading, and the fares. Understanding the public transportation system of a place is certainly a sign that you know your way around, and I guess I can say that I have learned to navigate the city of Accra.

4) Learning how to bargain. I have actually gotten pretty good at it. I know what a fair price is, and if I use my limited knowledge of Twi, I can usually get the price that I want. I have to say, bargaining is an art, and while I have not completely mastered it, I have gotten pretty good.

5) Seeing elephants in the wild. Just an awesome thing I can check off of my “to-do” list!

6) Not getting seriously sick. While I did have a serious respiratory infection, and a few stomach issues, I have managed to make it through my time in Ghana without having to go to the hospital! Let’s hope that I didn’t just curse myself.

7) Traveling. Through trips planned through CIEE and trips that I have planned myself, I have managed to see quite a bit of Ghana. I have been to Kumasi, Volta Region, the North, Takoradi, Akwidaa Village, and Cape Coast. Next week I am hopefully leaving the country for the first time since I have been here and heading to Togo for a few days! All of the trips I have taken have shown me different aspects of life in Ghana, and have certainly left me with a few great stories.

8) The exchange rate. Things in Ghana are cheap, which is great for my bank account. I haven’t had to spend my time here counting my money and budgeting myself, which makes me very lucky. I have been able to live life in Ghana as I wish, and sometimes spoiling myself with nice meals out or days at the pool.

9) The lack of classes. The classes that I did have were terribly boring, but they met only once a week for 2 hours (and we usually got out early). I had very little class time, which allowed me to have a lot of free time to do things that I would rather be doing. Like travelling, and going to the beach and generally enjoying life.

10) The food (well, some of it). While I do complain a lot about the massive amounts of rice that I eat, there are certain foods that I will seriously miss when I go home. Groundnut soup with rice balls (my favorite Ghanaian dish, by far), red red, and especially fried plantains! I bought a cookbook, but who knows if I will be able to cook it like the Ghanaians do!