African Time
My blog wouldn't be complete without making a quick note about "African Time", something I've learned quickly to dislike and hope to forget as I head back to NY!
What is African Time...you might ask. To put it simply....it's the time given to a person as to when he or she should be ready to do something... then adding 2-5 hours to that time...depending on the day, person, temperature, food taken that day, etc. (as you can see...it could be anything!) Unfortunately, you never know if it is 2, 3, or even 5 hours added to the time...so you are always somehow left waiting, waiting, waiting....and more waiting.
I've decided to list some examples...for one to get a true understanding of African Time!
After a long and relaxing day at the beach in Accra.....the next day was going to be filled with little errands and things to do before I said my final goodbye to Ghana. My friend needed to do some things in the morning...so he left the house around 5:30...letting me know he would be home "soon" to take me on my errands. Waking up around 6:30 myself...I knew I had to get ready quick so I would be set to go when my friend arrived. At around 8:30...I became a bit ansy....wanting to leave the house...but needed to wait for my friend to arrive. 9:30 came...and I was bored and annoyed....but not surprised since by this point in my trip...I was familiar with the African time. I can't say "used to it"...since someone like me could never get used to their timing system!
Finally, at 10:40...my friend called to let me know he was on his way. I tried hiding my being annoyed while speaking to him...since I knew he was doing me a great favor taking me on my errands. So...I took it like that and figured he was really on his way....I mean...he took the time to call me...and let me know he was coming...so why wouldn't I think he wasn't coming? Well...I should have realized once again that African time always plays a role in whatever you want to do, since I was left waiting for him once again. 11:30 came along...then 12:30....then 1:30....By now....I'm either thinking something happened to him....or his message that "I'm on my way"..really was to be translated as "I still have one or two things to do before I come home...so I'll see you in a couple of hours". The latter was what actually happened...are you surprised?
He finally arrived at 1:40.....strolling leisurely into the house...as if he just called 5 minutes ago to say he was on his way! I tried very hard not to show him I was annoyed....but I couldn't help opening my mouth to let him know that he needs to choose his words more carefully when telling someone "I'm on my way!"...something I've had to tell people on more than one occasion.
I give a lot of credit to my friends here...who deal with this timing system on a daily basis! I'm looking forward to escaping it....hoping that I too haven't become a victim of it as I head back to NY! (if I late to see any of you....I'm sorry...but you know I have a valid excuse...at least for the next few months anyway...until I can't shake the syndrom off!)
ps....couldn't help but add this!
My student's friend was calling for him as we were loading on the bus. My student responded to his friend that he's coming back right now...so he should wait. After the bus was on it 's way..I asked him why he told his friend that he was cominb back right now...since he knew that he wasn't coming back right away...but instead spending the night in the big city!!!! He looked at me with a perplexed look on his face......see what I mean about African time! :)
What is African Time...you might ask. To put it simply....it's the time given to a person as to when he or she should be ready to do something... then adding 2-5 hours to that time...depending on the day, person, temperature, food taken that day, etc. (as you can see...it could be anything!) Unfortunately, you never know if it is 2, 3, or even 5 hours added to the time...so you are always somehow left waiting, waiting, waiting....and more waiting.
I've decided to list some examples...for one to get a true understanding of African Time!
After a long and relaxing day at the beach in Accra.....the next day was going to be filled with little errands and things to do before I said my final goodbye to Ghana. My friend needed to do some things in the morning...so he left the house around 5:30...letting me know he would be home "soon" to take me on my errands. Waking up around 6:30 myself...I knew I had to get ready quick so I would be set to go when my friend arrived. At around 8:30...I became a bit ansy....wanting to leave the house...but needed to wait for my friend to arrive. 9:30 came...and I was bored and annoyed....but not surprised since by this point in my trip...I was familiar with the African time. I can't say "used to it"...since someone like me could never get used to their timing system!
Finally, at 10:40...my friend called to let me know he was on his way. I tried hiding my being annoyed while speaking to him...since I knew he was doing me a great favor taking me on my errands. So...I took it like that and figured he was really on his way....I mean...he took the time to call me...and let me know he was coming...so why wouldn't I think he wasn't coming? Well...I should have realized once again that African time always plays a role in whatever you want to do, since I was left waiting for him once again. 11:30 came along...then 12:30....then 1:30....By now....I'm either thinking something happened to him....or his message that "I'm on my way"..really was to be translated as "I still have one or two things to do before I come home...so I'll see you in a couple of hours". The latter was what actually happened...are you surprised?
He finally arrived at 1:40.....strolling leisurely into the house...as if he just called 5 minutes ago to say he was on his way! I tried very hard not to show him I was annoyed....but I couldn't help opening my mouth to let him know that he needs to choose his words more carefully when telling someone "I'm on my way!"...something I've had to tell people on more than one occasion.
I give a lot of credit to my friends here...who deal with this timing system on a daily basis! I'm looking forward to escaping it....hoping that I too haven't become a victim of it as I head back to NY! (if I late to see any of you....I'm sorry...but you know I have a valid excuse...at least for the next few months anyway...until I can't shake the syndrom off!)
ps....couldn't help but add this!
My student's friend was calling for him as we were loading on the bus. My student responded to his friend that he's coming back right now...so he should wait. After the bus was on it 's way..I asked him why he told his friend that he was cominb back right now...since he knew that he wasn't coming back right away...but instead spending the night in the big city!!!! He looked at me with a perplexed look on his face......see what I mean about African time! :)
posted by Cari G. @ 10:04 PM
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