Time is Ticking

I have been terrible at writing down snippets of life recently. Keeping a journal was beneficial the first few weeks, but slowly life has turned up its speed and it feels as though so much is happening so fast, therefore its been tough keeping up on it. Cannot believe it has already been a month and a half here. Although the days are slow, time is flying.

Probably one of the most eye opening experiences I have had was two Sundays ago. One of my classmates took me to her friend’s family party. I had no idea what I was going to or how formal it was, so I wore a neutral outfit of a white top and brown skirt.  Of course everyone was matching in a uniquely patterned white and black fabric.

 After being introduced to many Ghanaian elders, I took in all the excitement and mayhem around me. Soon to realize, I was at a celebration of death. When someone dies in Ghanaian culture, after their burial, there is a very big party mid-afternoon. There was traditional dancing, drumming, food, and an uplifting sense of community and acceptance. I felt very welcomed to say the least.

View from the top of Elmina Castle in the Central Region

After the celebration, my friend insisted I come with her to a “meeting,” which I soon realized was a religious service of some sort. Now, I did know that Ghana is a very religious society, especially for those who are Christian and Muslim. I ended up at a chapel, immediately going to the front, dancing and singing. I did not know the words to the songs so I smiled, danced, and clapped along to the beat. For the next five hours, I had experienced something I had never come close to in my life. People were preaching in tongue, passing out, screaming, crying, and all the above. I did not really have a sense of what or how to feel during the service, but after I got to thinking. Of course I went through many conversations after about my relationship with Jesus with many of the Ghanaians at the service, but the Pastor in particular threw some discouraging words towards me when he realized what my stance on religion is. In the utmost respectful way possible, I explained to him that I do not have a relationship with God and it is not a part of my life. I respect and am fascinated by religion, but if someone asks me upfront if I believe in something, I will not lie to him or her. He proceeded to explain that he was very disappointed that God has sent someone from the West to Ghana for a reason, and that is to convert and find my relationship with God, and she does not want to accept this blessing.

After talking to my friend and explaining to her all my emotions, she still was very happy that I took part with her and did not leave. I am very grateful that I had this experience because it helped me gain more respect towards the culture, as well as understand why certain aspects of Ghanaian culture are practiced in the way that they are.

Sunset in Akwidaa, Western Region

Last weekend, I went to Cape Coast. I saw Elmina Castle, which was the oldest and largest castle used during the Trans-Atlantic Trade Slave. It was a very confusing experience. It was hard to know how to feel while walking through rooms where thousands of people suffered and many died. Before the castle, I went to the river where the slaves were taken for their last bath. The image of dozens of slaves chained together in the rugged river is still ingrained in my head. Although it is an emotional experience, many Ghanaians explain it as something that happened centuries ago, so investing their time in being sad about it is a waste because what is more important is being able to put food on the table.  

Canopy Walk at Kakum National Park, Central Region

Another day in Cape Coast, a visit to Kakum National Park was taken. A walk across seven stretches of rope, wood, and metal canopies hundreds of feet above the ground in the jungle was not tooooo shabby! This past weekend I went to a small village called Akwidaa located in the Western Region pretty close to the Ivory Coast, where I plopped myself into isolation on a beach in the middle of no where...

I want to write lots, but can’t do everything much justice so I’ll leave it at that-more adventures to come!