Accra Quest (6/6)

Today was Accra Quest. We were sent into the city to find 2 locations in a group of 5. We left the college and were on our own. After waiting around for a tro tro (all 67 of us were trying to get one) we headed towards downtown Accra. We stopped in Medina to connect tros and took one which dropped us right at the National Theatre (about a 1 hr ride)

On the medina-accra route we saw a ghanian wearing a jersey with 2 thugged out faces staring each other down, and "50-cent" on the bottom. I laughed and pointed at it and some ghanians on the tro started laughing at me and said "ahh yes.. 50 cent.." I explained he was an american rapper and started my simple Twi on them. They thought it was a riot and were very friendly. As our instructors explained, once I introduced myself they totally opened up. They made sure we got off at the right stop and talked to the drive as well to make sure. This left me pretty pumped up about my Twi. With newfound enthusiasm at the national theatre I approached a man at the entrance and saide "ma-che" (good morning). To which he yelled do not say mache to me! what?? *yelled Twi I could not make out* Im sorry I dont understand So know your limits then! Dont say mache to me! I asked you a question, you cant reply.. do you even know what mache means? Uhh ya.. good morning... yes. so. how can I help you. we continued talking in english and the situation was downgraded to very awkward from unbareable. As we left we offered a weak "thank you" to which he replied say madasi. it means thank you. Yea! I know that one! but I didnt want to get yelled at again!

A bat just flew by me as Im writing in my journal... its awesome...

Anyways he was way out of country character but worth noting. Everyone else was very welcoming (pass #2 for the bat.) .... (#3)... we got a lot of "hey america! obama!" and they wouldnt shake my hand, they insisted on the obama fist bump. Aside from groucho my Twi was a huge hit. Ghanians think Im a crazy white boy and their friendliness is unmatched. Just as described I would greet, they would stop whatever they were doing, and either point or walk us to our destination.

At one point we stopped at a cafe to eat a snack we packed. To not be rude we ate under a tree and not their tables. When no joke 7-8 rain drops fell, a concerned ghanian walked up and said "it is raining, why do you not go under the shade?" We walked in and just sat under a large gazebo for an hour. Doing nothing. Not even really talking to each other that much. And it was incredible. So relaxing. Im like Kunu here, I have no watch, no sense of time, its amazing.

But Ill leave you all with a Twi lesson. IF you know nothing else just say a long "yoooo" (Like yo-dawg). It means OK, and they say it ALL the time. Its great...

G