AKWAABA!
You are Welcome! This familiar Ghanaian greeting was recited over and over again to our volunteers as they wandered the streets of Accra and began to take in the sights and sounds of Ghana!
From Jess:
Vlad & I got off our near-empty Delta flight; in Accra you disembark outside, and there is indeed a huge 'AKWAABA' sign painted on the outside of the airport. Inside there were many banners advertising the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, a football tournament we will all, tragically, miss due to school. The visa people were the kindest I've ever come across - my guy asked what my name means, assured me it had to mean something, and, appalled by a mere 2-week stay, promised to throw in an extra 2 to allow me a full 4. We were destined to be friends, he explained, given our sharing a birthday.
That set the tone for the local population. Outside on the tarmac, attendants repeatedly checked in, making sure that we were okay, offering us their cell phones. Though we weren't worried, we eventually caved, resulting in 2 calls to Auntie Serwah (who was unflaggingly polite and receptive, notably so for such an erroneous mishap).
After settling in at our respective abodes (the Project's apartment and the Obroni House), we went over to the Center, where we were greeted by Mr. Mousey, the educational coordinator. Auntie Serwah ("Mrs. Q", to Mousey) arrived soon after. They seemed delighted to see us. High fives are common, as are thumbs up - though you must be careful here to stick your thumb straight up as a tilted thumb in that position is profane. Auntie Serwah explained that most of the children are still on holiday, but introduced us to Kofi and Jeffrey, the two children present. Kofi recognized Molly and pulled her in to take her to a classroom and get to work.
Soon after getting our bearings and hanging at the Center, we went to get dinner. On the way we met Steven, the guard, a 90-something year-old man who sits outside on the stoop watching over things. Unfailing, he smiles, nods, reaches for a handshake and announces, "You are welcome". We learned it's important here to always greet elders, with a "Good [whatever time of day]". Steven taught us the How are you/I'm fine exchange in Ga, one of the local dialects, and was glad to see that I could answer his French in kind.
Molly and Nic took us to Hi-Tech Fast Food, a local spot that specializes in fried chicken and rice. I opted for choli, the spicy sauce (Auntie Serwah had earlier congratulated my eagerness to eat anything and everything), and was glad I did. Hi-Tech is wonderful, with blue light bulbs and a disproportionate amount of space dedicated to speakers (which play a bit of highlife and a LOT of Akon). It is NOT, egregiously, in any of the guidebooks previous volunteers and other guests have left at the house.
You are Welcome! This familiar Ghanaian greeting was recited over and over again to our volunteers as they wandered the streets of Accra and began to take in the sights and sounds of Ghana!
From Jess:
Vlad & I got off our near-empty Delta flight; in Accra you disembark outside, and there is indeed a huge 'AKWAABA' sign painted on the outside of the airport. Inside there were many banners advertising the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, a football tournament we will all, tragically, miss due to school. The visa people were the kindest I've ever come across - my guy asked what my name means, assured me it had to mean something, and, appalled by a mere 2-week stay, promised to throw in an extra 2 to allow me a full 4. We were destined to be friends, he explained, given our sharing a birthday.
That set the tone for the local population. Outside on the tarmac, attendants repeatedly checked in, making sure that we were okay, offering us their cell phones. Though we weren't worried, we eventually caved, resulting in 2 calls to Auntie Serwah (who was unflaggingly polite and receptive, notably so for such an erroneous mishap).
After settling in at our respective abodes (the Project's apartment and the Obroni House), we went over to the Center, where we were greeted by Mr. Mousey, the educational coordinator. Auntie Serwah ("Mrs. Q", to Mousey) arrived soon after. They seemed delighted to see us. High fives are common, as are thumbs up - though you must be careful here to stick your thumb straight up as a tilted thumb in that position is profane. Auntie Serwah explained that most of the children are still on holiday, but introduced us to Kofi and Jeffrey, the two children present. Kofi recognized Molly and pulled her in to take her to a classroom and get to work.
Soon after getting our bearings and hanging at the Center, we went to get dinner. On the way we met Steven, the guard, a 90-something year-old man who sits outside on the stoop watching over things. Unfailing, he smiles, nods, reaches for a handshake and announces, "You are welcome". We learned it's important here to always greet elders, with a "Good [whatever time of day]". Steven taught us the How are you/I'm fine exchange in Ga, one of the local dialects, and was glad to see that I could answer his French in kind.
Molly and Nic took us to Hi-Tech Fast Food, a local spot that specializes in fried chicken and rice. I opted for choli, the spicy sauce (Auntie Serwah had earlier congratulated my eagerness to eat anything and everything), and was glad I did. Hi-Tech is wonderful, with blue light bulbs and a disproportionate amount of space dedicated to speakers (which play a bit of highlife and a LOT of Akon). It is NOT, egregiously, in any of the guidebooks previous volunteers and other guests have left at the house.
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