Obviously, I am in Ghana! I have been in good spirits and not too overwhelmed thus far since I stepped off the plane. I was absolutely exhausted when I arrived...flying from Scotland on Monday and not sleeping for 24 hours straight then attempting sleep Monday night, without much success, and having too many amazing people at my house and way too much going through my head Tuesday night meant I did not sleep well for about 3 days straight. Something I am definitely not used to :) I also couldn't sleep well on the plane from Detroit to Frankfurt or from Frankfurt to Accra. My body was miserable for those hours. But, as soon as we got off the plane, I had a BIG smile on my face. My very first impressions of Ghana were that the mildly cool (I know, crazy) breeze that blew on my face as I walked down the steps from the plane smelled so good. A little bit tropical, a little bit like warm dust (like the smell of the dust at SMR, those that know what that smells like). People were kind from the start, helping with bags, greeting with smiles, etc. We met the mayor of Ga East at the airport and heard "Akwaaba Ghana" (Welcome to Ghana) over and over!

When we got to the University of Ghana (10-15 minutes from the airport), it took a bit to get our room assignments. I live on the ground floor of the International Student Hostel # 2. My door opens onto a beautiful courtyard and I have a great view from my back porch. I can see lots of grass and a tree and the Night Market (a little market that sells food, goods, etc.)! I didn't have a roommate yet at that point, but more about that in a bit! When we arrived that first night I literally ate some spicy rice and chicken that our professor got for us, took a fast cold shower (you have no choice...), found my sheets and mosquito net, wadded up a sweatshirt since I didn't have a pillow, and fell asleep around 8:30pm Ghana time which was about 4:30pm US time! I slept SO WELL. Finally.

We had an early start Friday morning...8am. This was our day to figure out where everything is...Where do I go to class? Where can I eat? Where can I find toiletries, etc? Where should I avoid? The basics...

Walking around in a group of 12 Americans makes you stick out like a sore thumb (I don't even know what that phrase means)...a feeling I'm getting used to but is still strange. I have found myself intimidated by large groups of Ghanaians, but as we learned in a culture shock lecture yesterday, usually Ghanaians are just as intimidated by a group of white people as you are of them. This helps put things into perspective and makes it easier to hold your head high, smile, and say hello.

Saturday we had some orientation to the University...learning about lot of things we had already heard or that did not apply to us (registration, examinations, etc.). So, after lunch, though we were supposed to stay at orientation until 4, our whole group decided to be rebels and go exploring. Our professor hasn't been around much, which has been nice because I think we feel more independent and brave without him around. We walked all over the campus (which is huge by the way and has a number of markets and people/houses that are not connected to the University) with our eyes wide open, taking it all in. We tried new foods, bought hangers and pillows, and met a few people along the way. I relaxed and hung out with some Calvin friends (yes, we really are all friends already :) before going together to dinner at Tacobell which is not a Taco Bell. And it is expensive for our standards now (3 cedis for a huge meal...which is about $2.50.). I relaxed again in the evening, showered, and slept well again!

Sunday morning, the group got up early to go to church. We went to the Legon Interdenominational Church this morning and I LOVED it. I thought of all of you (friends, family, CICW people I work with) and wished that you all could experience services like this. So colorful...tons of welcoming handshakes...lots of variety...memorized scripture readings by children...songs that had rhythm and flavor :) So great. The service brought tears to my eyes, it was so moving. After lunch (my 5th meal of rice and chicken), we walked back to ISH (where we live) and I spent the afternoon painting. It was marvelous!! I tacked a small piece of canvas to the flat surface of my desk (which is really crappy already mom, don't worry I'm not ruining it) to "stretch" it and then gessoed it with the teeny can of house paint I brought. After that dried, I painting for a long time...time got away from me, and before I knew it, it was time for dinner. That is the best feeling, I tell ya. A few of us walked to Tyme Out for dinner which is the place to be! Clubbing music is pumping loudly and the air is full of energy. AND THEY SERVE VEGETABLES!!! You have no idea how much I miss eating veggies already...so many carbs and nothing else :)

Our group is definitely bonding. Since Professor Hugen hasn't really been around, we dont' know him at all yet but we know each other so well. Sunday night a bunch of us (almost all of us, actually) hung out in my room for a few hours before bed. It was so fun, like vacation! This group is really great. I am feeling socially energized at this point which was definitely one of the things I was worried about. I don't know why I'm so surprised that everyone is quality :)

Today we waited around about 5 hours to figure out our registration, ID cards, etc for the University...we gave up eventually. It's the Ghanaian way apparently. Everything takes forever. In the afternoon we took tro-tros (Tro tros are super rickety 12 passenger vans that are crammed full of people but only cost about 15 cents to go a long way. It is the most organized chaotic thing I've ever seen. So many hand symbols and understood ways of doing things...so foreign to us though!) in groups of 3 to the Medina Market. We exchanged money at the market and bought pre-pay cell phones (while chickens ran past us on the dirt) to keep in touch with each other, roommates, text home (maybe?!), and call (though that will be expensive, so don't count on it). Then, daddy, I had fish and chips for dinner. We are splurging already on Americany food. Though I'm not sick of the food here by any means (in fact, I may be one of the least sick of it), it was nice to mix it up a bit. That brings me to now!

Other quick random things: I feel like I'm learning things all the time. I bought a little hot pot at the Bush Canteen on Saturday for 3 cedis and made loose leaf tea last night and coffee this morning in my french press to-go mug. What else? I love the red dirt. It hasn't been that hot yet except for a few hours yesterday and today, though I'm sure it will get hotter! The reservoir that gives us running water dries up at the end of the week aparently, so Saturday and Sunday often bring with them toilets that turn DISGUSTING and no showers. Rough, and something I'll have to get used to!! Yuck!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Annica