Day 3

Was sort of a lazy day. We went to a discount store and got some essentials for the dorm, like toilet paper and some eating utensils. I tried to get things that I would like to bring back to the states, so everything is like earthy looking. Sometimes I really think at heart I am a hippy. But here the concept of a hippy would probably apply to just about everyone in Ghana. They are very laid back. I love the music. It’s sort of like Reggae. I don’t think I ever really listened to Reggae in the states (so I don’t know how similar they are), but it’s really chill and rhythmic. I have some pictures from the beach, but not a lot. I didn’t go swim cause the current was kind of strong and I was afraid. I am totally a wimp, I know. But I’m not a strong swimmer. So, I hung out in the surf a lot. Listened to the music that people are playing along the beach. There was also a group of like circus performers don’t tricks and stuff. Like one guy was standing on this other guys head with one foot up in the air and then brought it to his own head. It was intense. I didn’t get a picture of it though, sadly. Basically it was just hanging out.

The waves at the beach

Horse rides on the beach

Just for you Jenny! :D

I am starting to have a hard time here. I feel like this first few weeks are so structured and we aren’t left to our own devices a lot to like fend for ourselves. So, I’m not really sure I’m “getting” the culture. I feel like a tourist here even though I know I will be living here. I mean, it’s great that we are touring places and seeing a bunch of different things. And don’t get me wrong, I am very happy they have been providing food. But I feel like I haven’t had to do ANYTHING that a regular person living here really would. I haven’t bought food at the market, haven’t taken tro-tros (that’s the public transportation) into the city. I just feel like I don’t belong here, but I really want to. It’s a hard thing to deal with and it kind of annoys me and that I can’t just take a group and venture out. They say all this stuff about safety and stuff, so I want to be careful. But I feel like at some point you have to stop being so freakin’ cautious and just jump into the culture. It’s sink or swim. The fact that I am scared to talk to people because I think they might just be trying to become my friend so that they can rob me later is stupid. I hate that I feel that way. But it’s like they tell you to be careful of people. And everyone is friendly, which is weird cause people in the states aren’t like that. But I’m not sure how friendly is too friendly, like trying to swoon you so I can take advantage of you friendly. I am really frustrated with that. 

But anyhow, I am being kind of anti-social sitting around typing up my blog. I feel like I have trouble making friends, even here. Like I find a lot of people really interesting and I want to talk to them. And I do, and then I feel like there’s no bond being formed, but just people talking. Like bumping into a stranger on the subway and having a little random conversation. I dunno, I am just really feeling like a failure at forming relationships. I should be more outgoing than this, like I feel like this should be easy for me since I am not normally a shy person. But I feel like, I am interested in being friends with everyone, but I try and pick people who specifically like really interest me, but then they don’t seem to be picking me as the person that they are really interested in being friends with. I know I am complaining a lot, but I am just shooting all of this out at you guys. (sigh) I miss you all.