Ghana was definitely the most culture shocking and different countries I have been to. The ship first stopped in Takoradi for the first two days, which was not what I expected. There were local people waiting for us to arrive and sell their items to us. They were so aggressive, which was unexpected. I heard that the people of Ghana are very kind and there are many kind people but there are also many very aggressive and not so nice people in Ghana. Ghana's culture is more conservative and what we think is appropriate to wear on a daily basis is seen as sexual in their eyes. Girls who would walk around town would get touched and pulled by the men because they think that is what the woman is asking for. I wore athletic capris the whole time and never once was bothered. Many of the girls on the ship just don't understand adapting to each culture and showing respect by changing what you wear. Yes it was extremely hot in Ghana, but you can live by not wearing short shorts.
My plan in Ghana was to participate in a 4 day homestay but unfortunately plans got changed so my friends and I just hopped on a few Semester at Sea trip instead.
The first day of walking into Takoradi I did not know what to expect but it was not touristy what so ever, it was a local town. There were people everywhere, it as very congested and overwhelming. There were no restaurants or stores, there were little shacks and wholes in the wall where they sold items or served food. In every country we have been to thus far there have always been some sort of organization and comfortability but here I was completely out of my comfort zone. The market was food and everyday items for the locals to buy. My friends and I walked around for a little while but then got too overwhelmed and headed back to the ship. It is very hard as a woman to travel because you are seen as an easy target. I hate saying that because you want to think that you are just as safe as a guy, but if you are traveling with at least one guy, you are less of a target. That has been something I have noticed throughout traveling the world. Obviously once someone gets more accustomed to the country it is safer but being in a country for a short period of time you don't have the time to get acclimate yourself to your surroundings.
But the next day I went to the Kakum National Park where we had the opportunity to walk throughout the forest and walk on the Canopy Walkway that was about 130 feet high in the trees. Walking the Canopy Walkway was definitely frightening at first but once you got the hang out the rocking, swaying, creaking noises, then you were able to enjoy it. They said no one had ever died walking it before which was a bit surprising because each person isn't strapped in but the danger of it made it so much more enjoyable! After walking through the jungle we went to have lunch and enjoy a Bamboo orchestra performance. They play music with these bamboo instruments, sing, and dance. I highly enjoyed this because the people had such high energy in everything they did even though it was so extremely hot and they were dripping in sweat. There were many people who were miserable just sitting and watching because it was hot but there is no complaining when these people are performing in the sun for our entertainment. I also have to day that on April 7 it was my Dads birthday!! So I was able to send him a picture of me holding a sign saying Happy Birthday. It was sad not being home with him to celebrate it and I miss him to pieces. Thankfully my mom sent me some pictures of his birthday celebration
The next day was my friend Claudia's 21st birthday so we found a nice resort in Accra, Ghana, which was the nicest hotel in Ghana and lounged by the pool and just had a relaxing day. Claudia was able to get her drinks in to celebrate her 21st birthday, which was all she wanted to do.
On our fourth day in Ghana I went to the City of Refuge Ministry, which was my highlight of my trip in Ghana and definitely one of the most rewarding experiences I had on this trip. The organization rescues children who have been trafficked, orphaned or abandoned giving them a place to live and become educated. I was so impressed with the facilities that the organization has built in just 2 years. They have 140 kids where about 40 of them are actually living on the premise and the others are local children attending school there. The children getting educated at this school were getting an education almost equivalent to the US which was very impressive because I talked to someone who said that they attended a private school in Ghana and it was nowhere near as nice of the school I got to experience.
The reason though that this specific trip was so rewarding was because I got to do more than just play with the kids, which is absolutely wonderful but they actually had us work. I was in charge of painting the basketball hoop pole as well as the inside of their eating area. I was able to help make the facilities better. There were other people who were shoveling dirt, washing walls or tutoring children. I highly recommend you check out this organization because it really is making a difference in Ghana.
Ghana was a great experience but next stop is our last stop with semester at sea…MOROCCO!
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