Expecting Expectations

This post goes out to Dugan, the D-meister, DD, and other things I won't mention here.

First off, on the suggestion of Dennis, I tried to jot down some notes on what I expected Africa in general, and Ghana in particular, to be like. Some where spot on, some dead wrong.

1. It's going to be hot and humid.

Check! Actually, it's not always that hot, but it's very humid. Mindblowing humid. Sticky-all-the-time, never-dry-off, I-can-wring-the-sweat-out-of-my-pony tail-after-walking-around-outside-for-10-minutes humid. Yeah, I'm gross. I'm really glad I haven't encountered many mirrors here.

2. It's going to be bright, colorful, loud, and musical.

That's pretty true, I guess. It's definitely loud and musical for the most part. But sometimes the noise is overcome by the sound of car horns. Instead of stopping, yielding, or turn signals, Ghanaians honk their horns to symbolize pretty much everything. Adding to the noise pollution are the tro-tro drivers shouting "circ-circ-circle" everything 30 or so seconds. Also, taxi drivers assume that because we have white skin, we must want a taxi, even if just passed up the last eight in a row and we're going in the opposite direction. Today, at Cape Coast, we waited for a taxi for 15 seconds and I thought I was going to die of impatience. Kidding of course. As for bright and colorful, I guess it is, but a lot of the color comes from the various shades of decay.

3. I'm going to feel like an outcast a lot and I'm probably going to be lonely a lot.

The fact that there are friendly obrunis (Twi for white people) around me is really helping with the feelings of isolation. It's kind of fun to be a novelty for a while, but it gets old quick (except for the kids, they smile when they see us coming, and run up, daring one another to touch us - it's very sweet and endearing). I'm lonely sometimes, most definitely. I miss David big-time at night. During the day, if I don't keep busy, the loneliness will sneak in, and it's a pretty awful and overwhelming feeling. I often contemplate coming home early during these times.

4. There will be kids playing soccer in the streets everywhere I go.

This was kind of a surprise - I've only ever seen one soccer game going on here. There aren't many flat, open areas in the city and I think that perhaps a soccer ball is more expensive than I imagined. Also, it's kind of hot to be playing outside for very long.

5. There would be plenty of Americanized/Westernized areas, especially in the cities of Accra and Kumasi.

I was really, really wrong about this. I haven't seen anything to suggest that any American chains have their hands in Ghana at all. I expected a modern, Westernized part of the city, where I would see some golden arches and big U.S. banks. The only familiar brands I've seen are those for mobile phones, vehicles, and a handful of foodstuffs (like CocaCola, Nestle, etc.)

There are others of course, smaller things that I can't really put into words, but that's all you're getting for now. :)