A Kegger in Ghana

Tuesday, Halloween Night

After making a couple phone calls and getting in some quality internet time, I returned to Legon Annex A where the party was just getting started. We have to deal with Ghanaian culture (i.e. preaching) on a near daily basis. For one night, Ghana would be getting a taste of Americana.

Stocked with a couple of 30-liter kegs of Star, and with a couple of Castle Stouts for myself, the drinking started early and often. By 1030, the party was in full swing. UG students, as well as EAPers and other international students packed the 4^th floor of Annex A. A keg, costumes, and a live band playing traditional African music – this is Halloween, African style. Needless to say, an epic night.

Wednesday, November 1^st

November was welcomed in by a minor hangover. It was a rather big night of drinking. More than a handful, that’s for sure. A couple of bagged waters and the hangover was gone, and I was ready for class. Classes are winding down. Org Theory today started late and ended early – how typical. That class is only going to meet one more time, which further justifies my blowing off the last week of classes for Egypt.

Oh, yes. I am still totally on Cloud Nine. The truth is that I’m more excited about going to Egypt than I was about going to Ghana. Egypt is one of those places that is just drenched in history. I’m so excited!!! Pyramids! Sphinx! AAAHHH!!!

Okay, back to reality.

I didn’t really do much of anything today. Nothing earth-shaking, that’s for sure. I had a brief conference call with Joe and Ryan, which was shortened by Ryan’s computer battery dying. We rearranged for tomorrow, so it’s all good.

I got a little dinner and typed up a few emails to be sent later. I also made a late-night soda run, joining Duncan, who needed to eat after another brutal rehearsal for his play. The performance starts tomorrow, which I will be attending.

Two additional notes about today. Firstly, we had running water at some point today, making it three days in a row. New record, I think. I actually had the privilege of using a toilet that flushed. It’s so novel. Secondly, today is the exact two-thirds point of the trip. It’s really hard to believe that it is already November and that my stay here is winding down. These next six weeks are going to fly by. A trip to Benin, a trip to Egypt and then finals. It’s insanity.

Thursday, November 2^nd

In comparison to yesterday, today was extraordinarily busy. I woke up absolutely wasted. Not drunk wasted – wasted of energy. It was like I just didn’t sleep at all. The next four hours of class would not be fun.

Conflicts in African States was pretty interesting today. The topic was “child soldiers” and how the whole concept behind it was a contradiction. For the most part, it kept my attention. At the same time, though, while taking notes, my head was on my desk for most of the lecture. Toward the end of the lecture, a girl sitting next to me turned to me and said, “Are you finished?” Yes. Very much, I am finished.

The idiot who teaches my late Thursday class showed up a solid half-hour, 45 minutes late, again. I’m not even going to start. I spent most of the class drawing, taking notes as needed. At one point, one of the Ghanaians poked my shoulder and asked why I wasn’t writing. Ghanaians write every word down, and that’s just not the American way of note-taking.

From lecture, I made my way to the African Studies building to meet with my advisor on my independent study project. He was pretty happy with it. I just need to add some clarification on some broad topics and I’ll be good to go. I’m so glad that I didn’t blow this project off because otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to go to Egypt!

After a lovely 20,000 bowl of Rich Love with Duncan, I hit the internet café for a ridiculous conversation with Ryan and Joe. Joe acts like a child when on camera. It made me laugh so hard. I also took care of some emails which needed to be sent.

The later part of the afternoon was filled with some cards. I was supposed to have a meeting with AJ, but she didn’t show up – oops. I just needed to kill a couple hours before dinner.

Dinner was sub-par, but did the job. From dinner, I joined a whole bunch of obrunis as well other students to attend the opening night of a play. A bunch of EAP kids are in this production, which is about Yaa Asantewaa, a woman who led the Ashantis into battle against the British. The play was well done, mixing Twi and English, and had some great drumming and choreography.

Afterward, Duncan and I went to Tyme Out where we ran into Wan-Yin and Devereau. We split some chicken fried rice and French rice, enjoyed a beer each, and called it a night.

Friday, November 3^rd

Today was a lazy day. I slept till noon, and didn’t even wake up for the preacher. Once I got out of bed, I ran over a bunch of cloth to a tailor. Six more pairs of beautifully colored shorts are coming my way. I’m very happy with the range of colors, patterns, etc. And they will, for the most part blend in with San Diego culture.

After getting that done, I hit up Rich Love – the third meal in a row – with Duncan. The food is just so damn good.

The rest of the day was pretty relaxing. A lot of sitting around next to my fan playing cards. I also started putting together my weekend, a tidy little four-day trip to Benin, with a night’s stay in Lomé. It should be a very relaxing and somewhat educational trip. I know nothing about Benin except that it’s French-speaking, so I’m actually going to try to get to a museum or two and learn something.

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A whole bunch of pictures from Aburi, Halloween, and Benin will be up at some point next week. They will probably be up in separate posts. I'm sorry for the delay.

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One thing of note. Tomorrow, November 4, is Ryan’s birthday. I wish that I can be in Edinburgh celebrating with a bunch of SD kids, but I couldn’t make it. So, Happy 21^st, Ryan!

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LDG