Ghana: Day 1

I arrived at the international airport in Accra this morning at approximately 5am after a flight in which the man next to me decided I would be a good pillow for the 6 hour ride from London. So I have already gotten a taste of the Ghanaian idea of personal space, something close to nonexistent in this culture. They say that Ghanaians are “The friendliest people in the world”, and this closeness is just how their culture is.  

When arriving at the airport you can already tell the difference between Ghana and developed nations like the U.S. The plane cannot pull up to a gate, instead you have to deboard to the ground and ride a bus to the airport. Inside you collect your luggage from a very old-looking, squeaky, and loud metal conveyor belt. Despite being the main international airport it is small, run down, and has few signs. I found my luggage and made it through customs with no problems though, where I was greeted by a Global Mamas worker who came to pick me up.

Then I got introduced some more aspects of Ghanaian culture very quickly. I learned that 1. You have to barter with the taxi driver for a price before getting in the cab (this may mean walking with all your luggage for five minutes and asking 10 different cab drivers) 2. Being an American means they expect you to pay more and 3. Driving in Ghana is very different than in the U.S. Honking your horn means “Hello” in Ghana, so there is a lot of horn blasting. The driver also has to navigate through people walking in the street, as well as other drivers in a hurry who decide to create their own lane between the two actual lanes. Our drive yelled and waved his arms animatedly out the window when someone did this near us, almost side-swiping the taxi. 

Walls around the Global Mamas house and office. It is a safe area, but these are here as an extra precaution.

Fortunately we made it safely to the Global Mamas house where I got to meet the other interns, employees, and the two large dogs who call the office home. I promptly took a nap and woke up around noon feeling refreshed. Since I arrived on a Friday I was told to take the weekend to get adjusted before I start work on Monday. Sara, one of the other interns, took me to exchange some money and then we got lunch. Afterwards I returned to the house to just relax.

One of the two dogs who live in our office. They are big dogs but they are sweethearts. I love animals so I am glad to have them here! It will make me miss my pets at home less, and makes the office environment more fun!

Later tonight we are going to a pizza place which is supposed to be the best in Ghana. Then tomorrow I am going with the other interns to Kokrobite where there is a great beach (on the Atlantic ocean). I am really looking forward to it and whatever other adventures come my way on this trip! 

My room at the house.