Ghana

I have spent the past few days trying to process my experience in Ghana and struggling how to put it into words and describe it to people. It is near impossible.

 

I can barley talk about it with the people who were there with me, therefore I am only going to give a brief over view...

 

It was AFRICA. That's for sure. I spent most bus rides listening to “In the Jungle” just to set the perfect mood. Don’t ask why I even have that on my ipod.

 

Reggae music, women carrying everything on their heads, and lots of drumming and dancing.

I hiked through the jungle, played with some monkeys, and swam in a waterfall- Top 5 favorite moments of my life.

There were wealthy neighborhoods, and then there were villages with no sign of modernization. Huts made of bamboo and a kitchen consisted of a room with a fire pit.

It felt fake. It felt like I was at Mystic Seaport or Sturbridge Village, and these people were just putting on a show for the tourists.

Oh but wait, this is Ghana. There are no other tourists. We were it, and this was really how people lived their lives.

They had nothing, yet people were the friendliest people I have ever met.

Some of these people have never seen what they look like.

Kids and adults would always want their picture taken, just so they could see what they looked like through a tiny 2x2 screen.

 

I was so fascinated by the whole experience and that's why I enjoyed it so much and I wish I had more time there.

 

Anyways, that's all I got. I really can't explain it. Pictures might help, but it is really something that can not be put into words.

 

The day after we left Ghana was the day we crossed the Equator. It is called Neptune Day and Semester at Sea throws quiet the unique traditional celebration...

 

It began with an 8am wakeup call for all Pollywogs (those who have never crossed the equator before) to report to the 7th deck of the ship.

We then all stood in line to get fish guts dumped on our heads. After jumping in the pool to rinse off, you had to get back in line to kiss a fish.

We were then promoted to “Shellback” status.

 

Oh and then half the ship shaved their heads. Girls included.

 

I did the fish guts, I did the kissing of the fish. But there was no way a razor was coming near my head.

 

So now there are a ton of bald heads walking around this ship. It's a little strange.

And the best part is, we will be in South Africa in 2 days...Ever see American History X?? Yeahhhhh.

 

Despite that, South Africa is going to be amazing. I have quiet the adventure planned, but I can't say what it is until I actually go through with it.

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn......

 

Ok this sea is the roughest it has been this entire voyage so it is time for me to crawl into my bed and sleep off my sea sickness!

 

Pictures oh so soon!