Ghana Gets Closer to the World Cup 9/6/13

Ghana vs. Zambia 
World cup qualifying match

I would never miss the opportunity to see a good football match live in a foreign country. I highly recommend spending the money and going. Not only is it exciting, but you will discover the spirit of the country. Football is a way of life. It is intensity. It is emotion. It is love. Football reveals intimate qualities about the nature, culture, and people of that country. Their essence, attitude, hopes and dreams manifest as they riot for their favorite team. No one possesses their heart quite like their football team. As evident by the picture below of the label on their soccer jerseys.

The Heart, the Soul =  Football
Football = Life

Friday, September 6, a bus full of animated international students headed to Kumasi to witness one of the most anticipated football matches firsthand. Excited and anxious, the students woke up at 5am and made their way down to the bus. The energy was alive and enthusiastic looking forward to the trip ahead. However, an hour in, already the sleepy students were starting to lose momentum and the bus quieted down. We still had another 4 hours to go.

To be honest, it was one of the worst bus rides of my life. I was sitting in the back in the middle of two men that needed their elbow room. It was a struggle. I could not sleep and it was all I could do to not get nauseous enduring the ferocious braking and accelerating of the driver every quarter mile to slow down for yet another speed bump or pot hole. Being in the back of the bus, I felt every jolt and movement. Anyone that knows me, knows that I do not like car rides unless I'm driving. I found myself frustrated and wondering, why are there so many speed bumps when we are supposed to be on a highway? I know that this question is going to come up again as I research Ghana's infrastructure and how trade moves through the country.

Getting off the bus in Kumasi, I bought a flag 

The bus full of Obrunis* arrived and everyone's spirits shot back up and the excitement began to build again. It was evident pretty quickly that we stuck out as we were the only large group of foreigners. Even the media noticed. Several journalists approached the group to interview a few students. They were curious why we were there and wanted to know our opinion of what was going to play out in the match ahead. My friend Matthew was quick to respond. I was laughing and happy taking photos of everyone's chance to get on TV.

GO GHANA!!!!

The next obstacle of the day was the ferocious sun beating down. When we first found our seats we thought we got lucky with the flag above us that was our sunshade. This was one of the first days that the clouds cleared and uncovered the sun. It was the first time I felt the true intensity of the heat, foreshadowing what we will experience in the months ahead and it wasn't pretty. 

As the players entered the field, the crowd began roaring. Either in boos for Zambia or cheers for their beloved Ghana. We were disappointed to lose our sunshade as we ushered by the crowd to take our seats. I was somewhat shocked. I have never seen the entire audience sit during a game. It was a very interesting custom. If you stood, even if it was for a second too long after a goal was scored, the crowd members behind you would insist you sit down and stop blocking their view. I have never seen an entire crowd respect the environment of everyone around them. It is another example of the communal effect displayed in Ghana. (Will explain more about this observation later.)

Awe, shade. 

And the award for most spirited Obrunis goes to... ^^

When a goal was scored, however, everyone jumped to their feet in a wave of exultation. Dancing, drumming, thanking God above, and embracing the moment.... Until someone would tap you on the shoulder or motion to sit so they wouldn't miss any moment of what would happen next.

Goooooal!!!

Ghana defeated Zambia, 2-1. It was a fine match between two extremely competitive teams. The Obrunis hustled back to the bus to begin our 5 hour journey back home. We started that day at 5am and did not return home until 2am. Every ounce of energy within us was drained but worth the experience.

Ahhhh, a wave of relief as the sun begins to set

Ghana beat the U.S. in the last two World Cups. I wonder if they will meet again in 2014. It will be a nail-biting game!

*Obruni is the Twi, one of the local languages, word for "foreigner" 

Mama D

My Ghanian Mom

Mama D is a very special woman dear to my heart. She is a Rotarian in the Accra East Club and before I arrived she had volunteered to host me. I was not exactly sure what that would entail until I arrived. As it turns out, I have the most ideal situation I could have asked for. 

Mama D was one of the first people to greet me at the airport. Since the moment she gave me the biggest hug after getting off the plane, I have come to look forward to seeing her smiling face and receiving one of her fantastic hugs each weekend. I stay at my hostel on campus during the week then get the chance to escape each Friday to Mama D's house. My "most Ghanian" experiences so far have been with her and her family. They let me tag along everywhere they go. She has the kindest, biggest heart and I can tell her anything. It's a huge comfort knowing that I have her guidance and support through this year. She is full of wisdom and understanding that I truly appreciate. 

Sustenance

An idea of what Ghanian food is like...

Kpe Kple: a nice spicy soup with fish over rice and ground cornmeal

Fu Fu in fish stew. 

A Ghanian favorite: Fried chicken and Jollof rice

Most Ghanian food has lots of fried rice, meat, and bread. 

Then, What I eat...

My very first meal in Ghana: RICE :)  

The first salad, it was SO GOOD 

Fresh fruit from the produce market next to my hostel

Fun size bananas!

Shai Hills

Hike in Shai Hills

We were greeted at the front entrance of the park by some friends...
      & yes, they come right up to you.

Baboons and their babies

Next, we began the hike to a cave where the Shai Tribe used to hide within from their enemies. There was only one entrance so they could block it then climb on top of the rocks to look out or fight. They used a huge root to climb up out of the cave on top of the rocks. Now, there is a ladder built after the roots broke.

Climbing out of the Bat Cave

View of the Savannah 

Help me, I'm hungry

Food!

If there is one thing that I can get crazy diva over, it's my food. I eat healthy. I care about what I put into my body. Adjusting to Ghanian foods is going to be a serious challenge, but I knew that coming into this. 

Below is the last of my American foods. I brought them to help adjust but they are quickly depleting. My Justin's Maple Almond Butter will be dearly missed. It's like crack. I'm addicted and not afraid to say it. I will probably think about you everyday until the pain subsides. The Omega Trek Mix is absolutely delicious, especially with Justin's and a banana. I still have some chia seeds to last me awhile and the Qi'a but having almond milk on hand is the real obstacle. It's outrageously expensive as well as hard to find, and since I share a fridge with my floor, I am worried about it's safety. Already, someone put it on it's side (I have no idea why they would do that) and it all leaked out. Hooray for being back in a communal living lifestyle! I will overcome this! But I am still figuring out how. 

Heavenly snacks

Superfoods

I won't be able to last a year eating Ghanian foods. I know you are all curious about the food here so check back for a future post devoted to all the Ghanian foods after I have tried more! But I am convinced I will find a way to new way to eat healthy. I am still sticking to my vegan, wheat-free diet. Good thing rice isn't wheat or I'd starve. If anyone is curious what I want for my birthday, please feed my addiction. You will be loved. 

Please send almond butter! 

Week One

A year seems like a long time, but it really isn't. The years seem to be getting shorter as I get older. It is crazy to think that it was already over a year ago that I started this application process and was selected to be the next Global Grant Scholar! Plus my birthday is already sneaking up again! Yikes.

Time flies! Which means that I need to make the most of this golden year ahead of me. Everyday counts. I'm anxious for school to start and to begin conducting research for my thesis. However, the professors are currently on strike, so next week I likely won't have classes. Rumor is: the strike will be resolved by the following week.

I've been trying to be productive since I don't have class. For example:

1.) I got my ID card.

Officially a grad student

2.) I attended my first Rotary meeting with Accra East on Thursday at the beautiful African Regent Hotel. I was introduced to the club but in a few weeks I will be presenting on my scholarship.

Hotel Bar

Poolside where they have live African music!

3.) I discovered Kelewele!! (Pronounced Killi Willi.) This is my new favorite snack.

• Although it looks like burnt fingers, it is delicious! Plantains spiced with ginger, chilies, and garlic. Mmmm :) They are best from the markets, this is made in a restaurant and it's nowhere near as good.

4.) I found the best hangout on campus after I found out I had another day of NO CLASS!

Awesome chair with a great breeze but where I get even better wifi!

Just the Beginning...

Going abroad isn't just another year in your life, it's a life in a year. 

The journey begins....

 Here is the Truelove Gang at Redding Airport after repacking all my luggage to meet the weight requirements and $200 in excess fees later...


Departed Redding, California 07 Aug 2013@ 10:06am
Arrived Accra, Ghana 08 Aug 2013@ 6:55pm
Time difference +8hours

I landed in Accra safe and sound... and very tired. The wonderful Rotarians and one Rotaracter were waiting for me to get off the plane! I was so thankful to see several smiling faces there to greet me.  I stayed my first few days in Dinah's home. Dinah has volunteered to be my hostess and I will spend most weekends at her house; she is my Ghanaian mother. Dinah showed me around Accra, introduced me to her family, and fed me some Ghanaian foods. We had an eventful weekend.

We went to a wedding on the beach...
     We went to church...
           & then visited the home of my sponsor, Gilbert, for lunch.

 He offered us my first glass of wine.
      When it was brought out, to my surprise, it was not only Chilean but from Concha y Toro!
      That is the winery we visited in Chile together as a group. It was a great day! So for the next 15      
      minutes I couldn't stop talking about Chile. I was very excited! I know my Chilemigos will
      be too ;)

First glass of wine in Ghana was Chilean! :) 

& then they introduced me to Fu Fu.

Peanut butter soup with fish fish and Fu Fu. 

Some Ghanaians love Fu Fu, others hate it. 

It's a very starchy paste made of yams and plantains. 

You're not supposed to chew it. 

I look forward to trying it again. Not exactly sure how I feel about Fu Fu yet. 

Pounding Fu Fu into it's dough-like consistency 

This is Adam. 

He's my new soccer buddy, he likes to show off his skills. 

He's a future soccer stud for sure. He can't keep away from his ball. 

His dad says he'll wake up in the middle of the night and say "Ball." 

He's not even two. 

Adam and "Ball"

Mad Skills

All that goodness concludes my first weekend. It was eventful, relaxing, and very entertaining. I wish I took more pictures. Once the week started though, we were very busy. Monday we went around town then campus for hours and hours scrambling to pay fees, find out how to register, and get my housing accommodation situated. It was challenging, inefficient, and exhausting but we managed to get everything taken care of and excellent results. 

My Room 

View from my balcony of the market

I moved into my own room in the "International Hostel."I am living on the top floor and the breeze that comes through the hall on my floor is incredible. I have to enjoy it while it lasts! 

Enjoying the breeze in my doorway where I kind of get wifi