We have finally made it safely to Accra, after a mad rush to our flight to JFK in Detroit (our flight from GR was delayed due to the storms, so by the time we made it to Detroit we were cutting it really close!) The same thing happened in New York - pretty much from one plane to the other. So needless to say I'm happy just to be here!
I'm not sure where to even start in describing the city. (And forgive me, I'm quite sleep-deprived, so whatever I write today is probably going to be very disjointed and maybe confusing! I apologize!) I learned my lesson quickly when leaving the airport not to let anybody help you load your bags into the van; someone almost stole 50 cedis (approx. $35?) from me when I attempted to give them a tip! I was warned about that, but I guess so many things slip your mind when you actually get here. We've taken it easy for the most part today. Janaan's friend of a friend Kennedy picked us up at the airport, and we went to Frankie's Restaurant for breakfast. I didn't really feel like eating - the airline gave us a free breakfast due to the fact that we sat on our plane to Accra for an hour before even leaving! - and although it was 9:30 here (and normally I would have been SO ready for breakfast - you know I like to eat!), I had no appetite. I'm hungry now, but what I want most is just to sleep. Luckily our hostel has air-conditioned rooms, so that shouldn't be a problem!
Accra's quite a bustling place, as is any big city. All along the road there are shops, selling almost anything you might need (oddly there are a lot of computer and printer places). There are a few scattered internet cafes also, which is where the four of us are right now, typing away. We met some kids who had just gotten out of school about an hour ago. We found where their school was and they swarmed us when we got there! They were so happy to see us, and they all wanted to touch us and hold our hands. We met some of their teachers, and will probably go back tomorrow if time allows. I'm not sure what we'll do tonight - most likely get dinner and collapse on our beds, since we're all exhausted (it was very difficult to sleep on the plane over here due in part to the uncomfortable position of the plane seat and in part to an occasionally screaming baby that kept EVERYBODY awake!) I'm still a little in shock right now about everything; I suppose I'd be more excited if I was more well-rested.
Ohh one thing. Kennedy (who picked us up from the airport) is a sports broadcaster, and he invited us to join him on Saturday for the Ghana vs. USA soccer match - on live TV! I think that would be so cool if we could do that! Then that night we're heading to Winneba to go to Annie's and Freddie's birthday party (Annie traveled to Ghana last year and is here right now working on a clean water initiative; Freddie is with Challenging Heights). So we've got some good things lined up! But first, sleep! :)
I miss everyone back home, and I'll call you all before I go to bed tonight! I love everyone!!
Omg that's so excited, actually being at one of the world cup soccer matches!!! That is such great timing for your arrival!!!
ReplyDeleteI hope it's not too hot there.....it's getting real hot here and it reminds me of Vietnam, I bet it's stifling in Ghana too with the heat. That's so cool you're in a hostel, I've never been in one before. Can't wait to read more!