Ghana

Wednesday, September 22 - Saturday September 25

Early Wednesday morning we arrived in Ghana.  Our port was Takoradi, a city that claims to be the center of the world.  That's because they're the  largest city closest to where the equator and the prime meridian intersect. 

There are very few countries where we don't already have some preconceived notions, but I can honestly say I really didn't know what to expect in Ghana.   We toured the site of the slave dungeons where Africans were held before being transported to the new world, and saw the door of no return through which they passed before embarking.  

Outside the dungeon was a scene that could have been from a movie.  A fishing village filled with wooden boats flying the flags of many countries where fisherman worked at untangling their nets.

We journeyed by dugout canoe--through marshes that reminded me of Kiawah-- to a water village that dates back 500 years.  At the entrance, a sign advised that it was customary to give the tribe leader 7 cedis  (that's the local currency) or a bottle of schnapps.  Schnapps? Does anybody really drink schnapps?   Not for drinking we were told...it serves as a tribute to the village ancestors.

And we also hiked in the rain forest walking across the top of the forest on the narrowest of wooden bridges -- seven of them.  I survived, but I can report  my fear of heights is still intact.

Traveling through the very poor towns and villages of Ghana you see endless  stores that are little more than shanties.  But you can't help but smile at the shop signs.  The spirituality of the people is evident everywhere in the simple names -- 
    Have Faith Enterprises      
    Holy Boy Autos
    Humble Work Furniture
    God is King Tailoring.

And then there was the advertising.  Since billboards are expensive, the local cell phone carriers pay residents for permission to  paint their houses...complete with company logo.  Buildings painted red or yellow were everywhere although our guide told us that these ads were losing favor with the locals.

Many  onboard our ship had the opportunity to  stay in villages, visiting an orphanage, delivering shoes, installing a water purification system.  What impressed me most was that a number of these projects had been initiated by the students themselves.   It was also interesting to learn what Ghanians know about our country.   One student stayed with a woman who had a picture on her wall of a large mansion in California overlooking the Pacific Ocean.  She believed that this was how all Americans lived and wanted the student to autograph the picture so she could tell her friends that someone from the US had stayed with her. 

After four days here what most of us on the MV Explorer  came to realize, is that a visit to Ghana is special not because of these sights,but because of the people.  Whether you traveled by foot or bus, their warmth and hospitality were always evident --  especially the children who never failed to greet you with a smile, a wave and sometimes even  a high five.

I'll leave you with a few more examples of Ghanian "sign" wisdom.....
    No Bribe at Heaven
    Keep Smiling
    No One Knows Tomorrow

And in the words of a Ghanian to one of our professors who was anxiously awaiting a van, "Please sir. Exercise Patience."  
I've got to remember that one when I get home.