I like lists and therefore this post will be in list form. I feel like all of these are pretty typical (yes, Sam and Meghan, TYPICAL!) of my experience and frustrations with Ghana at this point in time.
1) Lecturers are on strike. Meaning that classes are for real not happening at this point. Not just the unofficially not happening that they usually are. Rumor has it that it is near an end, which leaves the situation with far less drama and fun than if they were on strike all semester... but I do kind of want to have my classes.
2) I have broken so many shoes because of the University of Ghana campus. Seriously. First of all, I understand that I have difficulty walking in any situation. I'm not that graceful... I accept it. But the sidewalks are made of uneven brick and if you don't look directly at your feet allllllll the time you are bound to trip and rip your flip flop in the process. So after killing the second pair of Old Navy time-honored and tested flip flops... I gave in and got real sandals. Perhaps instead I should just work on learning some grace from those amazing Ghanaian ladies who can balance 50 pounds of plantains on their heads.
3) Now this might be somewhat of a tirade, but please bear with me. I am sick and tired of being harassed on the street. I had plenty of warning about the amount of marriage proposals I would recieve here... and I take those with a grain of salt. It's kind of funny when your tro-tro mate spends your entire ride to the market trying to convince you to marry him and get him a visa to America. It doesn't matter if you tell him you're married or that you can't get him a visa or that America isn't all that great... But really, I don't mind the marriage proposals. The part that really bothers me is the grabbing and lewd comments... specifically in the market. (But even on campus!) I understand that different cultures define personal space as different things but my body is not to be touched - whether it's to get me to buy your cell phone or shoes or whatever. Sometimes its a hand or an elbow or whatever they can snatch of you when you walk by... Sometimes (like today) you have 20 men coming from you in every direction saying things like "Baby I just want to kiss you right now... Can I show you around Accra?"
THIS IS NOT OKAY. Now most of the time, the people here are wonderfully sweet and nice and want to keep you safe and happy. This is not a normal situation. But the blatant sexism I encounter here is so hard to deal with sometimes. It makes you constantly question what you can stomach as "cultural difference" and what you have to consider wrong in any context. The situation today was obviously wrong... but there have been a lot more subtle incidents in the past 3 weeks here.
Anyway, sorry this is a slightly depressing post. Cheer me up with fun things about home/abroad!
2 comments:
Today is just a lousy mood day for everyone, me included. I just read Dad excerpts of this blog and he's ready to fly to Ghana to take out those losers who are putting the hit on you. Nobody puts baby in the corner !!! Cheer up !
Men, how typical ;-) plus don't forget just being in Ghana is, according to some, typical, so overall I think your use of the word typical to describe the things on your list was pretty accurate. So to sum it up TYPICAL! Sorry things are bringing you kinda down, here are some fun facts to cheer you up! I get to move into an apartment on Saturday with 3 girls I have never met before and learn how to cook my own food...uh oh lol I'll keep you updated on the food situation! Oh and i don't know if you remember the IT boy who was pursuing me (the one who cant spell) but there have been recent developments! I went to the beach with my family last week and he just happened to end up one town over with no place to sleep. Stalker lol and I had gum surgery to fix my receding gum's and he came over afterward with a present. He bought me the movie "Anchorman", which is innocent enough and nice of him but he went to 5 DIFFERENT stores to find it!!!! Yep so that's basically the excitement in my life! I really enjoy your blog and hope your having mostly an amazing time! Btw your mom is so cute!
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