Monday, August 20, 2007

culinary frustrations

so last night was rough for me. i went to the atm and i couldn't get any money out so i was freaking out but i got some this morning and things are fine. I also tried fufu last night and it was so bad. i didn't even get a quarter of the way through because my gag reflex wouldn't let me. it tasted like i was eating spicy slimy cornstarch balls. then i tried roasted corn, no luck there either because it was dry and tasted like chicken feed. i didn't eat much of that either. other than an egg sandwich in the morning, this was the extent of my food. it was malaria medicine night as well. i was feeling like a drunk idiot because i didn't have enough food in my stomach and everything is closed on sundays. tanisha saved me with a piece of pizza. i have decided that tuesday night is pizza night and that is all there is to it.call me an obruni if you want and criticize me for eating american food, i don't care! over at the pizza inn, which is a rather expensive option they have buy one get one free night. two large pizzas for 7.40. sounds like a deal to me. i love rice, but i love everything else as well. the food is getting old very fast and i am realizing how important it is to take my vitamins. there are no vegetables here, just meat, starch, and the ocassional bean. no dairy here, so calcium is good. no vegetables, which sucks. i am not much of a meat person, and i am supposed to stay away from chicken but that is totally impossible. i would be nothing if i did that. so i may have to spend more on food to get adequate nutrition. i don't care though. sorry, just had to vent a little. i just want home food so much right now. eat some yummy stuff for me.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Well I am now sure how much to say but I am getting the swing of things around here. I have registered for my classes and I am super excited. Apparently the first couple of weeks nothing really happens but I am going to try and go anyway. Most of the departments haven't put up timetables yet so I still don't know what time my classes are being offered. I also am going to have to drop a class or two but that is ok. I will wait and see on the times and if I can understand the professors or not. So far I only know that I have Conflicts in African States on Mondays from 3:30 to 5:30. I am also registered for Sociology of African Religion, History of Africa to 1500, Early Modern European History, The Black Diaspora, an introductory Twi class, Obruni Drumming, and Obruni Dancing. I am so excited about classes actually. I really want to take all of them. It is just so different from the states where everything is set when you register six months ahead of time. There is a lot of standing in line and going to various departments and then going again but that is ok.
Besides that I am just experiencing life here. I am eating a lot of really interesting foods and trying other parts of the culture out as well. Things are looking good!

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Alive and well

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I am here in Ghana and doing fine. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here. I couldn't have done it alone, that is for sure. When I first got here I was all by myself and being asked on dates by immigration officers and had strangers trying to trick me. I soon met Mr.Passah and Dr.Akotia and they have helped me so much. I am very luck to be in such a good program. Things are soooo very different here and I don't even know where to begin. I don't have electricity or water right now but I have been managing just fine. I feel like I have really gone back in time, like to my grandmother's generation. I have to go fetch water from the yard to bathe, but it is fine. It is the roughest place I have ever lived in but it is the best accommodation around. It is very simple and safe though. Most people are very very poor, and at the arts center market yesterday I wandered into the back and found where all of the people lived. I think I am really learning to appreciate so many of the things that I take for granted at home. The people here are really nice! It is strange though because everyone can speak English but they usually speak twi, efe, or some other language with each other. I have been into the city and into the market and even tried my hand at bartering, how bizarre! The market can be intense because everyone is asking you to buy stuff but with time I think it will be easier. I found an awesome market on campus today.. .the Bush Canteen, I know it will be cool during the week, but it is unlike anything I have ever seen in the States. I am kind of outside of the main strip on campus but it is nice. There are horses right across the yard. The horses and monkeys are tied to the trees but the dogs, chickens, and sheep roam free. There are so many dirt roads here, it is incredible. Red clay paths are a main way to get around. The land is filled with beautiful grasses, trees, and flowers. Of course I am not much of a city girl so the buildings are a total turn off and don't impress me at all. That is usually the story though. The people are really the most interesting. There are so many beautiful faces, and they are so unfamiliar to me. The women have beautiful dresses. I can't wait to have dresses made. Sorry this is so long but I feel like there is so much to say. I am keeping an extensive journal though, so I will be able to tell tons of stories and share that when I come home. If anybody has any questions of wants to know anything please send me an e-mail or reply to this. messages are always welcome. Thanks again for all of the love, support, and help.
Love and Peace
JennieV.