Songs for Tromping Through Snow Covered Hills
Recommended winter playlist:
1. Banshee Beat - Animal Collective
2. Shadows - Au Revoir Simone
3. We Have a Map of the Piano - Mum
4. Lump Sum - Bon Iver
5. Winter Now - Broadcast
6. Take Pills - Grizzly Bear
7. F.K.O. - Subtle
8. Stars (edit) - Ulrich Schnauss
9. Cello Song - The Books
10. Together & Down - Benoit Pioulard
11. Awe - Helado Negro
12. Mind Altar - Deastro
13. The Disconnect - Tycho
14. Dawn Chorus - Boards of Canada
Due to poor internet connection I was unable to update this blog during my remaining days in Ghana, Africa. Since then I have been meaning to upload the best photos from the trip, but have been lazy and or distracted. I apologize. Enjoy. More to come.
Amen! God is Lord! Beware of Friends?
These are but a few of the sayings one may find in large, bold, yellow print on the back of Ghana’s army of public taxi’s (and tro-tros). At first glance, the outside of these little Nissans promise little extravagance, looking more like a shoe or rollerskate than an automobile. However, inside one could find anything from leather seats, sound systems and tinted windows to plastic (white) doll heads and statues of Santa.
Riding in one can be quite a thrilling experience too, if you are able to separate yourself from the fear of death. Travelling without a seatbelt and at speeds upwards of 220km/h (136mph) on the open road has really made me reevaluate what I once considered “dangerous” driving.
Things for which Africa has made me greatful.
-Washing Machines
-Hot Showers
-Being able to drink water from the tap
-Hand Sanitizer
-Seatbelts
-Refrigerators
-Vaccinated animals
-Winter (AKA mosquito death)
-Cake and Ice Cream
-Having the privacy for walking around naked in my apt
-Silence
Culture Shock is a Vindictive Bitch
Day 15:
We are currently checked into the Regent Resort in Sunyani for some much needed rest. We are 40% through our trip with 60% of the group ill. Thankfully, I am not one of those feeling icky but I am concerned for my travel companions.
Originally, we were to stay at the hostel in Sunyani from Thursday until tomorrow morning. When we arrived, we were surprised to discover a collegiate congress conference had taken over the entire hostel. Now, when hearing the word “conference” one might think quiet meetings and seminars filled with individuals dressed in business attire. However, except for the attire, this conference fell short of expectations. The daily activities include the following:
7am -2:30am – Giant tower of speakers constructed and used to blast various African and Hip Hop music at max volume. (Note: mixed in between songs are pornographic moaning and humping sounds obviously lifted from a porno)
10pm- some sort of explosive firework set off outside your door. Your room fills with the smell of burning.
10:30pm - repoman-esk pounding on your hostel door
3:15am – Shouting followed by drunken drum circle which includes cow bell and police whistle (oh yes)
4:30am – drunken drum circle makes their way up to your hostel door and proceeds to pound so hard you think it might break. Repeated shouting of the name ‘Noah’ also included.
4:45am- neighbor blasts gospel music on speakers you are sure are not quite able to handle the unbelievably high decibel level.
7am- Loud speaker jams begin all over again…
After two days of this and multiple sick members of our team we decided to check into a hotel. Nonstop exposure to this “conference” has made us all a little grumpy and leaving me lacking desire to interact with the local people. In an effort to overcome my negative thoughts about Ghana at the moment, I have prepared a list of positive experiences below:
Day 9- bought fabric and was fitted for a dress for a funeral I will be attending at the beginning of august (Note: Funerals in Ghana are massive celebrations and are usually planned months in advance). Still not good at bartering.
Days 10 and 11 – saw an amazing cultural festival. Multiple grade schools gathered in Baabianeha to share their diverse cultures through poetry, song, drum and dancing. YES! The dancing! It was so amazing that after witnessing the first group of children dance I was overcome with tears. One of the girls even ended her dance by sitting on my lap. It was awesome.
Day 13 – teaching Newton’s Laws of Motion to kids in Ridge Experimental School and then following the lesson with air powered rockets. Every time the kids got the rockets to fly high everyone cheered.
Everyday - Milo (chocolate energy drink. so so yummy)
