A True Exercise in Ghanaian Punctuality

So . . . we were told that we had an orientation at 9 AM, and we do. Our guide just hasn't show up yet! It's 10:30, and we are sitting in the lobby of the Telecentre Bed and Breakfast watching very dramatic Ghanaian soap operas.

We were warned ahead of time that Ghana works on a different theory of time than we are used to. In America, we have schedules and things happen at planned times. People are the slaves of the clock. But in Ghana, time is much more flexible and fluid. Deadlines are never exact and it is not considered rude to tell someone you will pick them up "around 9 AM" and not show up until 11. So, here we sit, trying to remind ourselves that our tour guide is not simply being rude. He's just being Ghanaian.

Oh, and today is Father's Day! Daddy told me that he is going to read my blog, so here is shout out the most amazing father anyone could ever have - STEVE ISRAEL! Daddy, I love you so much, and I appreciate all the sacrafices you have made for me and all your hard work to help me succeed. <3 <3 <3 <3

I guess for now I can attempt to describe our accomodations. They are better than I had expected. We are staying at the Telecentre Bed and Breakfast in Accra, Ghana. The city is by far the largest in Ghana. The Telecentre has a bizzare mix of luxuries and deficiencies. For example, we have air conditioning and screens! Air conditioning for goodness sake! And the screen protect us pretty well from mosquitos (although I still slept under my mosquito net like I was advised). Also, one night at the Telecentre, with breakfast included cost 23 Cd, the unit of Ghanaian currency, and one USD is worth 1.44 Cd (at least is was yesterday at the airport, haha). You would never find somewhere this cheap to stay in the US. However, an interesting deficiency in these accomodations is the fact that ever shower we take is in COLD WATER. For the next two months, I will never know the caress of a warm water shower. Plus, the water pressure here is horrible, so a shower is more like standing under a cold trickle. It's actually pretty unpleasant, especially in the air-conditioned room.

Ah! Our guide is here. Bye!