Life in an African Village
I just returned from a trip to a small fishing village 3 hours from the main city of Accra. Though the trip was short, less than a 24 hour stay...my thoughts and observations were plenty!!
I arrived at the station at 5:00 a.m...thinking I would get a "tro-tro" by 5:30 and we'd be on our way. I once again forgot I wasn't in NY...since in Africa, you wait, wait. And wait! So...after 90 minutes of waiting on the tro-tro...we were on our way. The journey was a quick one...thankfully the roads weren't too bad, and when they were...we just bounced along as did the rocks on the road. Luckily..I was looking carefully at the signs on the road..since I almost passed my drop off. Not realizing I would be the only one getting off at my station...I was lucky to catch the location in time to let "the mate" know I was getting off.
Upon arriving to the small town..I was now on my way to find my "family". (Ghanaians always know how to treat you as family!) I wasn't sure as to the village's name, so I inquired with one of the taxi driver's at my drop-off. Within 5 minutes time..I felt as if half the town was helping me look for my friends...That's also how Ghanaians are. Always trying to help..whether friend or stranger. Though, within meeting someone..you feel as if you were their friends for the past few years...instead of some few minutes. It's truly amazing.
After finding out where I needed to go...I had my new friend, Billy, take me to the town. Asking the price of the taxi...he assured me he wouldn't cheat me..since he believes one day he will be in NYC..and wouldn't want someone to cheat him. So...I took it like that...and didn't beg too much for a lower price (something I've gotten very good at!). He not only drove me to the village...but walked me to the "door" of the house I was in search of...just to make sure I arrived safe and sound. I hope to one day meet Billy again...since he's the type of person one never forgets!!!
Peaceful, serene, jovial, picturesque...these are only a handful of adjectives that could describe a true African village. As I walked in the sand (the village is located on the shore)...you hear the sound of the ocean..waves crashing together...calming every thought inside you. Everyone is each other's family. Everyone I met seemed to related in someway...that's how African families are. One big family! And that is how I was recieved. Since I was in a fishing village...you can assume what everyone eats! But...when Cari comes along...everyone became a vegetarian for a night. I think I would have even eaten something with fish in it...out of respect. But, in turn..they gave the respect to me...and catered to my needs! I truly believe it was their first meal ever without a single piece of fish!!! (I'm wondering if they gobbled some fish before going to bed..! :)
Life is very simple there. No electricity..no running water. The toilet is the sand...if you're lucky..you can find a big enough "bush" to conceal your behind! The people are all "one" with each other. Every where I went...everyone was extending their greetings to me and my friends..! Greetings are not just "how are you?". In their culture...a greeting can reach to 5 minutes..asking about your mother...father...brother,..etc. Americans have a lot to learn from them...in terms of how they take each other as family..and the concern they have for eachother!
Now I"m back in Accra...admist the noise..pollution..and sanity of so many people! I miss the ocean.....the sand between my toes...and the simple way I lived while I was there. I wish I could have bottled it up...and taken the feelings felt there back to NY!! But as I tell everyone before I leave them....."Me Akwaba!" (I'll be back!)
I arrived at the station at 5:00 a.m...thinking I would get a "tro-tro" by 5:30 and we'd be on our way. I once again forgot I wasn't in NY...since in Africa, you wait, wait. And wait! So...after 90 minutes of waiting on the tro-tro...we were on our way. The journey was a quick one...thankfully the roads weren't too bad, and when they were...we just bounced along as did the rocks on the road. Luckily..I was looking carefully at the signs on the road..since I almost passed my drop off. Not realizing I would be the only one getting off at my station...I was lucky to catch the location in time to let "the mate" know I was getting off.
Upon arriving to the small town..I was now on my way to find my "family". (Ghanaians always know how to treat you as family!) I wasn't sure as to the village's name, so I inquired with one of the taxi driver's at my drop-off. Within 5 minutes time..I felt as if half the town was helping me look for my friends...That's also how Ghanaians are. Always trying to help..whether friend or stranger. Though, within meeting someone..you feel as if you were their friends for the past few years...instead of some few minutes. It's truly amazing.
After finding out where I needed to go...I had my new friend, Billy, take me to the town. Asking the price of the taxi...he assured me he wouldn't cheat me..since he believes one day he will be in NYC..and wouldn't want someone to cheat him. So...I took it like that...and didn't beg too much for a lower price (something I've gotten very good at!). He not only drove me to the village...but walked me to the "door" of the house I was in search of...just to make sure I arrived safe and sound. I hope to one day meet Billy again...since he's the type of person one never forgets!!!
Peaceful, serene, jovial, picturesque...these are only a handful of adjectives that could describe a true African village. As I walked in the sand (the village is located on the shore)...you hear the sound of the ocean..waves crashing together...calming every thought inside you. Everyone is each other's family. Everyone I met seemed to related in someway...that's how African families are. One big family! And that is how I was recieved. Since I was in a fishing village...you can assume what everyone eats! But...when Cari comes along...everyone became a vegetarian for a night. I think I would have even eaten something with fish in it...out of respect. But, in turn..they gave the respect to me...and catered to my needs! I truly believe it was their first meal ever without a single piece of fish!!! (I'm wondering if they gobbled some fish before going to bed..! :)
Life is very simple there. No electricity..no running water. The toilet is the sand...if you're lucky..you can find a big enough "bush" to conceal your behind! The people are all "one" with each other. Every where I went...everyone was extending their greetings to me and my friends..! Greetings are not just "how are you?". In their culture...a greeting can reach to 5 minutes..asking about your mother...father...brother,..etc. Americans have a lot to learn from them...in terms of how they take each other as family..and the concern they have for eachother!
Now I"m back in Accra...admist the noise..pollution..and sanity of so many people! I miss the ocean.....the sand between my toes...and the simple way I lived while I was there. I wish I could have bottled it up...and taken the feelings felt there back to NY!! But as I tell everyone before I leave them....."Me Akwaba!" (I'll be back!)
posted by Cari G. @ 11:19 AM
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