Maintain the Status Quo

For thousands of years life has existed in Africa. Chances are, after Western civilization comes to an end, life will still continue here. Life here is simple, the key is survival. There is not a real desire to flourish, or become more than you already are. This is why it is hard for an outsider to adapt. In Western society, there is a belief that you can improve yourself, learn more, do more, and become something more. There is a want, a need for self-improvement and to increase the standard of living. Here this is not the case. Granted the number of open doors elsewhere greatly outnumbers those here.

There are shoemakers, cloth makers, farmers, and sellers, but each has found their own niche. Once this niche is occupied, that is it. Attaining a station in life is enough to continue living. Really the biggest changes to society here over the years have been through the introduction of things from the west. Automobiles, mass produced good, processed foods, these things are imported and integrated to life here.

Why is there such a difference? My personal opinion focuses on education. This seems to be the biggest difference between here and home. Don't get me wrong, there are professionals here who have spent years educating themselves, and their station in life shows this. At the same time, there are children that will never attend school. These children are found in the streets selling gum, fried plantains, and other goods for pennies each. In 20 years they will be doing the same thing, but may have moved up to soaps or cloths.

Am I here to change the way of life that has been in place for ages? No, but I am attempting to understand it. Nor am I saying there are not any problems at home that need repair. Each location is not without its faults. There is progression here, but it is on behalf of the few who are trying to do so. This has been a liberated country for just 50 years, perhaps the bicentennial anniversary will show vast changes, but I won't be around to see it. For the most part, people here are generally pleased to continue living as they have, seeing each sunrise after the next.

Rainy day, internet cafe.

Today is one of the day's that inspired Toto's one hit wonder. It is the rainy season here, and today let on a downpour of rain for about two hours. Being such a day, I was able to find a decent enough connection to post a few pictures.






Here's Boti Falls.










This is a view from on top of Umbrella Rock. Climbing the rickity bamboo ladder, and paying 50 pesewas (<$0.50 US) was definitely worth it.









Waterfalls again, proof that I was there, also reppin Sconnie pride. By the way, I've seen about 3 secondhand UW shirts around, one woman with about 4 boxes on her head wearing a Favre jersey (GB not NY), and a rather large man wearing an All-American Mom t-shirt with pride.









Just a shot of the Thursday bead market. Think farmers market, but with beads, and no set prices.









There's really not much else to report, things here are moving along slowly, the Ghanian way. I think it's about time I head out and find my way to a spot bar for a 23 oz Star.

Blah.

So I've found a saving grace thus far along my trip. Yesterday I visited the Boti Waterfalls, and then Umbrella Rock, from which I had a spectacular view. Both sites combined are the kind of thing that make you believe in God, if you're into that kind of thing, which they are here. We (Lauren and I) met a lovely Nigerian family who let us share a cab to see Umbrella rock, (google it- not enough time to upload images) which we would not have had time to otherwise. We also put 9 people in a 5 seater cab, setting a new record for the journey.

Today I write from Accra, a the capital city of about 2 million people, and most were at the market today. The trip here left something to be desired, as we were booted from a decent trotro to a rickity peice of shit that had holes in the floor so I could see the road (mostly unpaved) beneath us. I think we had 19 or 20 people in a conversion van. My head is still spinning from the attempt to make sense of it all. At Makola Market, it was all I could do to hold my bag and watch my pockets as we were swimming through the crowd. I ate a cheeseburger and fries today, which was actually pretty decent. The Castle Milk Stout wasn't bad either, darker, and yet a lighter brew than Guinness.

Tonight I'll be in Accra, doing who knows what. It's pretty much set I'll be out of Africa at the end of September, and my next plan is Oktoberfest in Germany. If anyone would like to join me, let me know, more company would be appreciated.



---Side note: Earlier post misspelled "white person" Correct spelling is Obroni.

Africa fucking sucks

Yes, Africa sucks, but if it didn't it wouldn't be Africa. I am very upset with Projects Abroad, as I am abroad, but the project I'm doing is absolute bullshit. I'm not going to learn anything, and the work ethic, and all of life, is very slow. Right now I'm focused on enjoying what I can, and hopefully travelling more than anything. I've met other volunteers, and regarding hospital work, there is nothing to do. Volunteers are not needed here, and the Projects Abroad corporation has decieved everyone with their promises of educational benefits.

Aside from that, I doubt I'll stay here 3 months. The constant smell of shit, yes literal shit, is dreadful, and everywhere. Right now I'm hoping for a month, but who knows. Other volunteers have advised me to stay, and disregard the work placement, though that is what I came for.

Yesterday I went to the wood market and purchased some hand crafted artifacts, which was probably the coolest thing I've done here thus far. This was in Mamfe, where we traveled in a four seat taxi with seven people. All were volunteers and was probably the highest concentration of white people in the area for some time. The way home from Mamfe we took a taxi because the tro-tros wree all gone, and the driver pulled over at a point to let people pass and muttered something about his cataracts and vision problems. He took a back route home through winding roads and we encountered a police stop on the way. If nothing else I've got a decent story out of it.

Today I experienced the bead market, which was enjoyable, more so because I ditched work to do so. I have taken many pictures, and hope to publish them once I have a decent connection. My internet time is running low, so I'm out for now. I hope all are well back home. If anyone wants to ring me, my cell number is 002330243229577. It doesn't require any minutes for me to recieve calls, just keep in mind the 5 hour difference.

PS: Today I saw references to Guns and Roses, New Kids on the Block, and heard some dubbed versions of some MadAve regular songs. Made me feel at home.

Ghana Post #1

So I'm in Ghana. This is my first, and potentially my only post for some time. Using the worldwideweb is somewhat of a privelage, costing me 30 pesewas (roughly 30 cents US) for 30 minutes. I'm pretty sure I'm the only American in the city of Koforidua, and I cannot walk down the street without hearing "Oburni" (white person).

Today was my first day of work. I use the term loosely, as today was mostly observations. The physiotherapy room is rather well equipped, but I have yet to make my determinations about the practice.

As my internet time is running up, I must leave, and return to my dwelling, which is more than I have expected. I must also say that my host family is more than generous, and I am being well cared for. I'm still in the early stages of culture shock, but lucky for me I have 10.5 more weeks to acclimate. Peace.

Live from terminal 5, gate M11

As I sit in the O'Hare International Airport, I think I'm realizing how much traveling sucks. Basically things boil down to sitting in different locations, waiting for new locations to come to you. I think I've put a good deal of the nerves behind me about my upcoming departure. It hit me as I gave security my boarding pass that I'm actually traveling across the world, about to be completely on my own, in a new land, where I haven't the foggiest idea about what I'm getting myself into. A bit of panic washed over me as I passed through the gates into a sea of different languages, cultures and people all about to embark on a journey themselves.

On the other hand I mananged to get a litre bottle of Bailey's Mint for $21.00US at the duty free shop. I was told I may encounter difficulty bringing this to Accra, I told them it wouldn't make it that far. A litre of a minty chocolate beverage on rocks should just about get me through my three hour wait in O'Hare, a sevenish hour flight to London, and then a five hour layover in Heathrow.

First Post....hopefully not the last

13 August 2008

Alrighty, so here it goes. I've been requested by a couple people to keep them updated as to my status over the next couple of months. A blog seems like a decent enough way to do so, and since everyone loves blogs, here we are.

Currently it is 11:15 PM on the 13th of August in the year of our Lord 2008. Tomorrow at 7:45 PM I depart from O'Hare to London, and then on the 15th I will be flying to Accra. For the next 12 weeks I will be abroad, with 11 weeks in Ghana, specifically Koforidua working as a medical intern. Unpaid. The 12th week will have me visiting Amsterdam from for three nights, and then four nights will be spent in London. During the course of my journey, I intend to periodically update this blog with happenings, pictures, news and other spectacular details. Now if someone is looking for the end of the Internet during his or her lunch hour and happens across my page, they may be duped into thinking the search is over.

Anywho, I finished packing, but have some other activities to tend to before the night draws to a close.