Accra

I am in my accommodations in Accra...it is a hostel...it looks like more of a house. But once I found out I had internet I wanted to post something quickly before I explored the whole space. My room is big and airy with an air conditioner and running water...so I'm happy.

The plane ride was also without any problems. The plane was a half an hour early, and the pilot encouraged us to remember that next time a United (soon to be Continental) flight ran late. I was in the middle seat in the middle aisle next to a Ghanaian man and a Nigerian man. Neither of these gentlemen was too keen on giving me any arm rest room...but I fought hard and managed to fall asleep on one of them...

I was exhilarated coming out of the airport. There were bright billboards that said "This will change your life." They were for a phone company, but I just assumed they were for me and the National Medical Foundation. There were so many cultures and people in the airport that while it had a distinctly African flavor I was amazed by the diversity. The car ride to our hostel was through poor and rich neighborhoods...the most eye opening to see where the "slums" on the side of a major road. Rows and rows of corrugated cardboard houses held together with a spiderweb of powerlines.

And lastly, Jackie, one of our hosts taught me some Twi:
Eti sen - How are you
eye (pronouced e - yeah) - I am fine
mi pa wo joe - please
bra - come
ko - go
ye fre mi ... - my name is...
me di... - my age is...
mi fri New York - I am from New York
kakra - small/little
mi ye dokita - I am a doctor (eek)
mi pe Ghana papa - I love Ghana a lot
papa - lot
mi da ase - thank you

She says these will all be helpful. I am in the process of memorizing.