You’ve probably just made the best decision of your life. Clap for *Insert your name here*!! (Typical Ghanaian school action when someone does something the teacher thinks is good).
But honestly do you have any idea what you will find when coming here?
A jungle where Lions, Gazelles, Elephants and every other animal from the Lion King living side-by-side?
Or, wait.
Maybe you picture dirt roads with shanty little huts lining the sides.
Sorry to burst your bubble but if you’re coming to Ghana you won’t see Lions or Elephants unless you go to Mole National Park or a Zoo. (However, those cool little Rhinoceros bugs DO exist)! Oh and those shanty little huts lining those terrible dirt roads? They exist but for the most part… Ghana is actually advanced for a third-world country. (Advanced by third-world country standards anyway).
I know that it is nice to go somewhere completely oblivious to what might be waiting once you step off of the airplane because you get to do a lot of self-discovery that way. So if you’re one of those people who like being oblivious, I should warn you I’m about to list things that you might find/encounter in Ghana (though words can never be as satisfying as experiencing the real thing).
So without further ado:
- HEAT. Sometimes, you’ll feel like you’ll melt into a puddle. Your skin will constantly be sweaty and there’s nothing you can do about it.
- TroTro. A form of transportation – a cheap form of transportation – that packs as many people into it as possible. It’s kind of like a minivan that’s been thrown off of a cliff twice (great description, I know)… stretched back out and redecorated by the man who bought it. It’s completely safe…. sort of.
- Sachet waters. I hope you can master the act of drinking water out of a bag because that’s basically life here.
- No water and Light’s out. Maybe you’ll be fortunate enough to be placed in a home that has running water.. if not.. bucket showers will be your new best friend. And don’t ever trust the power. IRON YOUR CLOTHES WHILE YOU CAN.
- Lizards and Spiders. I hope you’re a fan of reptiles and insects because they all seem to want to be your friend once you get settled in.
- Short Shorts. Don’t. Just..please trust me on this one. Ghana is the only place (that I’ve been to) that will make you feel naked in a tank top and shorts.
- Women carrying things on their head. A neat thing really. You’ll see them carrying everything from pillows, clothes and even chickens.
- Foam beds. That’s evil really. Naming a bed something it’s not. Beds here are – to quote a fellow exchange student – “made of nightmares and rocks.”
- Internet Cafes. If you need a quick…anything involving internet these are the places to be. You can find one everywhere.
- Cold Showers. Did I mention that if you have running water it might not even be warm? And if you are taking bucket showers you’ll have to warm water up on the stove.
- Bargaining. Unless you want to pay 10 cedi for a taxi or even more for something at the market just because you’re white. I suggest you become a guru at bargaining.
- Rice. I’m never eating rice again once I leave Ghana. You know after having it every day for the past 5 months..it gets old.
- Football. Or as Americans like to call it, Soccer. It’s everywhere. So I hope you at least know how to kick a ball.
- Getting stared at. You get over it after a while and even start staring at the other white people you see around because they’re just so….white….why are we so white?
- Trash. There’s usually trash on the ground. Here in Kumasi it’s actually quite clean.. Accra though is pretty dirty. But it’s a third-world country so you have to understand. #NoJudging
- Seat belts. What are those?
- Hospitality. Ghanaians are the nicest people in the world hands-down.
Until next time,
Keep Calm and Consider Ghana