Arriving in Accra

I’m here in Cape Coast, Ghana. It’s nearing 9:30 pm and I am praying that my battery will last long enough for me to share my thoughts. Thankfully, I found a way to charge my computer battery, but only on occasion. I arrived here two days ago at around 7:30 pm. My flights were very comfortable, and I slept like a baby. It took nearly 2 hours to get through the lines of entrance into the country. My bags came after waiting patiently and imagining that they were fine, even though those around me were frazzled thinking about their lost luggage. Once I exited the airport, I had to wait. The air was suffocating and I was dripping with sweat. I had made up my mind that I would not panic. I would pretend that I wasn’t alone and that I had some idea about where I was. Inside, I was nervous. What if this was a joke and there was no professor meeting me at the airport in this humid night? After thirty minutes of concentrated looking and praying for a guide, a short thin smiling African poked his head around my body and said, “Are you Abigail?” Very relieved and fully confident in myself, I said, yes. Amidst the crowd, the professor and her two small poodle-like dogs rushed to greet me. It was a three hour van ride to the house of the professor. It’s a very nice place to stay.

I am staying in a small guest house next to Nancy’s house. It’s tidy and a great place to escape from everything. I can’t be more thankful for this. It also has a private bath with a shower. It’s beautiful here on the grounds around her home. I’m literally in the jungle/tropics. There are lizards/snakes/spiders, and the most beautiful birds. At night I hear frogs, and so many other strange animal sounds. It’s fun to listen. I’ve been sleeping well. I’ve been taking my B-vitamins and lathering my body in Skin So Soft oil to avoid the mosquitoes. I only have one bite so far. The first morning, I woke early to a thick fog that enveloped the trees. It may have been the most beautiful forest that I have laid eyes on. For breakfast I had coconut milk, mango, and a banana.

The coastline is breath taking, but loaded with trash and poverty. Compared to China, China is clean. I really can’t believe what the people eat. Rice , stew, and coke… It’s difficult to imagine how their bodies feel. One man thought that cane sugar was good and healthy to eat. It’s been interesting to watch the people move about or sleep at their tasks. They sit most of the day and it’s hard for me to sit and wait around. I guess they are just tired more often because they don’t eat well. The professor says that they don’t think about the past or the future. So, no saving money and the ‘cause and effect’ understanding doesn’t make much sense to them. It’s very odd to say the least. It rained all night last night. It was great to sleep to.