More Updates

More information for everyone, but let me warn you, the thoughts are somewhat disorganized and sporadic, as I am writing from the notes I have been keeping in my journal.

Right outside the International Student Hostel (ISH) is what is called a night market, even though it operates all day, beginning in the very early morning until late at night. They sell food, fresh fruit, DVD and movies, that haven't even been released yet, other things they know foreigners will need, like clothes hangers, etc. I bought a converter at the night market for one cedi (like the US dollar) and I bought the cheapest one off E-bay before I left (which didn't even come in time) for five dollars.

A lot of the things are very cheap, but some are surprisingly very expensive, mostly things that they know foreigners need and will buy regardless of the price. Before I was came, I was very confused about how the money situation worked. But the other day, I withdrew $1oo Ghana cedis and it only took about $83 US dollars out of my bank account, so that's kind of the exchange rate.

The night market, and all of the markets for that matter can be pretty overwhelming and intimidating. The people are heckling you to buy something from them. They say: Hello, what do you want? Even if you're just walking by. If you make eye contact or even act slightly interested, they will not leave you alone, which is very hard for the average American who likes to browse and then buy what they think they need at the place with the best price. Often it's hard to understand what they are saying, and they try to take advantage of the foreigners who don't know what the actual price should really be!

- - -

While I don't want to get in the game of US Versus THEM, here are some observations I have made about the differences between Ghana and America.

When we were checking into our hostel rooms, we had to sign our names and fill our our personal information in a book. NOT A COMPUTER!

Something that is frustrating with the money situation is that it seems (bad term, and probably an over generalization) that somewhat often vendors don't have change. I've not bought very many things and it has happened several times. How can an operating store, not have change? Are they just taking advantage of us again? It blows my mind.

Even worse, the other day, I went to the BANK to get my one cedi bills made into coins for change so this wouldn't happen again, and that bank sent us to another bank, because they didn't have any coin left. At the second bank we went to, she could only give us 50 pesewa coins (not the 20, 10, 0r 5) because they didn't have those in stock. Wow.

TO THE MARKETS

I've mentioned the night market several times that is right outside our hostel, but the other day, we went to a market in the city, and it was absolutely eye opening. I was fascinated and could have wandered around for hours.

We rode a tro tro there (a beat up old van which packs as many people in as possible, but is very cheap) and that was an experience in itself. The "mate' sits by the door and collects the money, and shouts out where the driver is going. It's hard to understand what they are saying (at least for us "obrunies" the term they (lovingly) use for white person). The mate will say: Ac-cra-cra-cra-cra-cra.. if they are going into Accra.

So anyway, at the market, there were TONS of people! I was shocked to see all the people. This market was very intimidating because they would beckon you to come over and buy from their stand and not the others. If you even start to look at something, they will start in, and they are relentless. If you start to walk away, they will follow you. They will grab your arm and talk about what they are trying to sell.

You are suppose to barter the price at the markets, which is kind of a scary process too. Haha. They know we have no idea what the real price should be.

It was pretty neat to be a white person walking through a crowded market full of Ghanaians. The people in the market were fascinated with us, and we were fascinated with them. They stare and wave, and no doubt call us obrunis as we walk by.

It is absolutely mind boggling to see the 'type' of people at the market and the 'type' of people at the university. Completely different. The people at the market is what people think of when they think of Africa. To me, it's kind of sad, but the people at the market seemed happy, even though they had less.

The most interesting portion of the market was the food part. There would be fish and pigs feet and other meat laying out in the hot son. Flies were all around, and the Ghanaians thought nothing of it. Definitely not as sanitary as US standards.

Poverty is obviously an issue in Ghana and at the market there was a lot of "child labor". Children that were school aged, but didn't go to school because they had to help their families sell at the market. What amazed me is that the police or government doesn't enforce any kind of rules or regulations.

It makes me wonder what kind of life people who sell at the market lead. Are they making somewhat of a profit? Or are they just getting by? Did they grow up as a child laborer and continued the lifestyle? It seems like it would be a hard cycle to beat, since they have little to no education.

Today, (Sunday) a few of the ISEP students went to a Catholic mass with one of the ISEP student's Ghanaian roommate. The Ghanaian was talking about how his parents buy everything for him. Books, clothes, food. I said, "Oh, so your parents help you pay for those things?" He said, "No. They just do it." He couldn't understand how many Americans pay for bills and are becoming more financially independent from their parents at this age. If he couldn't grasp that concept, I wonder about his perception of his fellow Ghanaians who lead the market life...

As for the Catholic mass, it was neat to see. Most of the Ghanaians were dressed in traditional clothing. There was a lot of singing and joyous dancing. It lasted two hours. While a lot of it was hard to understand since it was over a speaker system that wasn't working properly, with thick accents, it was cool when I recognized the same things we do in American Catholic churches.

Anyway, I only have a few more minutes left at this Internet cafe, so that is all for now. I am sooo glad I have been able to update everyone on some of the things I have been encountering.

If there is anything you all would like to know about, or more of, just let me know, and I will do my best to relay the info.

Love you all!
Stay warm!

Mel