Saturday, March 10

Our day started early with a bus load of girls from Accra Girls School picking us up for a drive to Kukum National Park - about 50 km away, west along the coast.  Although it was a short distance, the drive took about 4 hours due to traffic and other various snafus.  I guess that's pretty typical, according to our hosts.  Along the way we passed through a variety of towns and villages. In this country there's never a lack of refreshments as at every stop sign of traffic snarl there are a gathering of vendors with  all sorts of wares on their head eager to see you a taste. At our disposal we could choose from treated water sealed in a plastic bag, fried plantain, tiger nuts, kenke, fresh bananas or pineapple and a wide variety of baked goods. We arrived at Kukum, checked in and climbed the hill/mountain with hundreds of other schoolchildren, all dressed neatly in their uniforms.  By the time we reached the top, I was completely wet with perspiration, but these students were all dry and good-natured. They're all so incredibly mannerly and kind.  I had some great conversations with students from other schools about their perceptions of American kids and life in Ghana.  From what I've observed, the students are very eager to learn and grow and better themselves.  They just devour new experiences and ideas.

Kukum basically consists of a series of canopy walks suspended about 100 feet above the forest.  It was invigorating to walk along the trail, but many students were quite intimidated.  One young man, Prince, was absolutely quaking in his shoes at one of the checkpoints. I promised to help him across and we got there with much prompting and looking UP and discussing biological concepts (anything to get his mind off looking down).   He was very sweet and gave me his address so I can send him a note.  He wanted to buy me a coconut as refreshment at the end of the trek, but we were short on time.

After Kukum, we headed back toward Cape Coast.  The Cape Coast Castle was built by the Portuguese and was maintained as a major trade center for the Atlantic slave trade  from about 1600-1807.  What an amazing, moving experience!  We walked down into the holding cells where thousands of Africans were held for sale and transport to various ports throughout the world.  To touch those walls and walk on those stones was mind-blowing......I don't have words to describe it.  I hope I'm able to attach some photos so that you can possibly feel their impact.

After setting off from Cape Coast we were hoping to make it back to Accra in 2 hours time.  We soon came to realize that 4 hours would be an optimistic goal due to traffic.  It was very hot and humid and our bus was full of tired, hot students.  I didn't hear a single complaint or whine - except from myself and my colleagues.  In fact when the heat and diesel smell and humidity got the worst the girls started singing songs.  One of my favorites was about being a "beautiful African woman."  It was one of those moments I will treasure in my memory for the rest of my life.  These young women are truly beautiful, inside and out.  They are learning and growing and empowered.  What is frustrating is that they have so few opportunities in this country to use those attributes due to the economy.

We made it back to our hotel around 9 pm.  Each of us made a beeline for a cool shower and quick bite at the hotel.  Then we all went back to our rooms to do our homework: write a blog, Skype with family, catch up on email, plan for next week, etc.  I'm really looking forward to next week.  We'll be in classrooms each day.  On Sunday our small group of 3 has been invited to have dinner with Osman (one of our host teachers) and his family.  He has a small apartment near the school.  Then on Tuesday we're having dinner with Jonathan's family in Osu.  On Wednesday, Jonathan (our other host teacher) is planning to take us to Aburi Gardens - in the "mountains" just outside Accra.  It sounds like they have a very busy week planned for us, so I'd better rest up on Sunday!  I hope you're enjoying the blog.  Please write and give me feedback- either here or at Melinda.Bennett@mpls.k12.mn.us.  I've posted LOTS of pictures on my facebook page that anyone should be able to access.  I'd love to hear from you