Thursday, January 14, 2010

akwaaba

Ghana is so different from any place I’ve ever been before.


One man has a monkey on a leash in his front yard.

It’s developing, so much so that you will see BMW’s and Lexus’s on the same road that you see women selling their goods so they can get by. Ghana time is calm and easy, and yet around the University, especially by the main road, things seem to move so quickly.

Maybe that’s just me, and maybe it’s the situation.

I am in a totally new place, and it can be overwhelming to absorb it all at once.

When you come to the University you enter the main gate. When we came the first night by way of a bus, the campus didn’t seem to stretch on too much. Now that we are walking everywhere it is incredible how large it is! The school seems like its own city—complete with salons, restaurants, and markets. The night market right near our hostel is a cool place to check out in the evenings, and the other day we spent some time at a market known as the bush canteen. The bush canteen is so cool. You take this narrow path to get in, and once you reach the market there are little shops everywhere where you can get adapters, toothpaste, toiletries, and anything a college student could ever need. It’s a tight space, people are everywhere, and the smell of heat and cooked food permeates the air.

To get to any building that I will actually take a class in will take at least 30 to 35 minutes! A big change from Hendrix where if I walk fast enough I can get to anywhere in a little over 5 minutes.

We went to my favorite part of campus today. You walk up this steep hill, passed the homes of the professors, around the registry, toward an open area full of trees, bushes, and colors. You have the best view of Accra around up in this place on campus. The view is spectacular, and I liked it the moment we saw it because it is devoid of noise, crowded streets, and tons of people. As much as I love being around lots of people near the main part of campus, it is nice to find a little place to get away.

I’ve been here 48 hours and I find that insane. It seems like I’ve been a student here for weeks. I’m enjoying it so much, but admittedly, am having a pretty difficult time right now. Today was just one of those days where I think the flight finally caught up with me and I began to really realize what I am doing. I am in Ghana. For 4 months. I am without many of the luxuries I have at home, I am away from all of my family, and I miss my friends quite a bit. I am homesick. More so though, I think I’ve become a little scared.

Scared of how I can adjust.

Scared that maybe 4 months is too long.

I am praying about it though, and it is helping. I am really grateful to be here. I am happy to be here with Rachel, to have good conversations with the other international kids, to meet new people, and to experience something that only comes along once in a lifetime.

I expected to have some challenges, so as they come, I know it comes with the territory. I'm in Africa, and though it may be hard at times, I am in Africa. It's amazing, it's beautiful, and I can't stop thinking of all the opportunities I have here. And, it's only been 2 days. This is where I am supposed to be.

2 comments:

  1. Coming from someone else who says one sentance about things being hard and then follows it up with five sentances that put a positive spin on it, I know today was difficult. Really. My first two days were the hardest, then it got a lot better, then I had my breakdown about 4 days later. And I'm only in England. I admire your spirit and your drive. I look up to you in your faith and passion. I have utmost faith that Heather Newell will not fail to be Heather Newell, and by that I mean that (as I have told you before) you are going to really, truly, and deeply FEEL. I don't think you should be afraid to feel homesick, because it will only make the moments when you're having the time of your life that much more spectacular. (I should be telling myself this also....) I've been praying for you at really random times when God brings you to my mind. This account is beautiful by the way. Your destription is very nice, and you are so wise to write it down in such detail. You are an amazing, stunning, inspirational woman, and I admire every step you take through Ghana. I love you more than you know. Thanks for keeping us all posted on your adventure <3

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  2. You're in my thoughts and prayers, beautiful girl. Everything Michelle said is true, you are amazing, stunning, and inspirational. I've no doubt that you are where you need to be right now. I cannot wait to hear more about Ghana. I love you so very much!

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