Travelling...

Cape Coast and Kakum Rainforest

I had many interesting experiences on my weekends away; the first was my time at Cape Coast. 11 of us got up very, very, very early, and took a trotro to Cape Coast. You need to imagine being crammed into a mini bus, with rucksacks, no AC, and one to many people! for 3 hours. well thats what it was. Plus the fact we were a little dehydrated cos no-one wanted to drink their water sachets, cos u have to drink them whole, then need the loo.We first visited Cape Coast Castle, the “home” for thousands of slaves before their exportation to America and Europe.From there we travelled to Kakum Rainforest, where the plan was to spend the night camping very primitively in this open wood plank things, with just a mattress and mosquito net. From leaving our bags there, we trekked back through the mud, to the cafe to chill till bed time...that was when it started...When I said RAINforest...I meant RAINforest. It POURED, thundered...lightning...and then being Ghana, we had a power cut. And should I mention that it gets dark by 6pm. So we're sitting 20 mins from the camp, in complete darkness, no signal, miles from civilisation, no means of contact, rain pouring...rather scared.Thank God a few of us were a little more prepared bring slightly dying torches, 5 mobile phones, and 2 Ipods. These served as our light sources.
So then the power came back on...and we somehow made it back to the camp - through the darkness, and mud, and goodness knows what else. and survived the night. it was an experience and a half.
Maybe NOT to be repeated.Next morning we awoke earlier, 5AM, to partake in a rainforest hike. This was fascinating. I learnt that the Black Ebony tree is what makes the black keys on the old church organs, amongst other things. We all got attacked by red biting ants, got muddy. but it was still fun. (more washing to do!!!)We then went on a canopy walk. thin wobbly bridges attached to the trees. (think I'm a celebrity get me out of here...task - maybe for the whole thing actually!) There were 7 bridges, with platforms in between. this was the highlight of the weekend. We were literally at the top of the rainforest, and this was an amazing way to look down on the trees - the occasional monkey, and here the noises at this early time. Beautiful.

Volta - Wli Falls

We left to hassle of Accra, to a more serene setting of Wli, passing through Hohoe. This is all in the Volta region, and is stunning views.We reached Wli by lunchtime, and checked ourselves in the Waterfall lodge, which features in the Bradt Guide. It's brilliant for travellers as ourselves, as its cheap anyway (particularly the food), but you can get a chalet for up to 5 people, without bathroom facilities, but use theirs...as there were 4, it worked out at 3.50 cedis, which in GBP works out half of that, so 1.75!The afternoon saw us climbing the lower waterfalls. Climbing would be an inappropriate description, as this was merely a nice walk to the lower waterfall, through beautiful forestland. You can swim in the waterfall, and this is apparently very good for your skin (assuming that you don't get attacked by leeches - which we were careful to avoid). I didn't particularly enjoy the feeling of falling "icepurewater" on my back...it was an interesting sensation, probably more enjoyable on day 2, but I shall come to that later.

so we got fed and watered gazed at the scenery, as the lodge is literallly 500m from the start of the walk. and we got a very good nights sleep (which we needed, given day 2)day 2 began early, as we had a 4 hour hike - 2 hours up 2 hours down.This was a PROPER HIKE. Not a walk in the park, like day 1. I dunno what was harder...scarmbling up rocks, or negotiating the best, and safest route down. Reaching the waterfalls was the highlight, hence I enjoyed the cool shower more - only to find that we had a 2 hour trek back afterwards!Again, this was another experience that I shall never forget. I think the highlight of the weekend was gazing up at the stunning scenery. Or that every so often, we paused for a break, and realised the mountains around us, and I was like 'hold on...CAMERA!" Because you cannot recapture a moment.

On another weekend I went to what is known as the Best Beach in the whole of West Africa. Quite how they measure that, I know not, but Busua Beach resort was certainly exceedingly clean, quiet and picturesque.We stayed in a quite appropriately named "Alaska" hotel. As my friend pointed out - its so disappointing when hotels boast of a sea view.

Our hotel/mudhuts were practically sitting ON THE BEACH. What's more it was pretty much our own private beach...completely uninterrupted by determined vendors.We'd left on the Friday afternoon, leaving the ENTIRE Saturday to catch those rays.Also on the Saturday, we hired jet skis - which was awesome!

“Akwaaba Obruni!”

Stepping off the plane into the 35C Ghanaian heat, in a somewhat empty, laidback airport; I suddenly realised that I was alone in my journey. It was a HUGE relief to find the Projects Abroad (TPA) representative (Eric) waving excitedly. On the short journey to my host family Eric informed me several times that I was very welcome to Ghana, and that I would love it. This, I found was very typical of Ghanaians.
One of the many benefits of traveling with TPA is that on your first day you receive a thorough induction, allowing you to be totally familiarized with the local area. I also sampled Ghanaian cuisine for the first time, which was AMAZING! Not recommended for those who don’t like spicy food.
On the second day I began working at my first of two placements.

Mount Mary’s Schools
“Madame, Madame, can you please teach our class today?” Is one of the many phrases that greeted me daily, one arrive at the Mount Mary school.
The school is situated in Ofankor, a poorer area of Accra, but you wouldn’t be able to tell this by looking at the students, whose determination to learn includes staying through breaks. In the case of one particular student, working hard to achieve ambitions such as being a nurse to “care for people who are sick,” because she often looks after family at home and wants to be able to “help people who don’t have a lot of money.”
The proprietress of the school, Mrs. Ezan, always comports a good ethos throughout the school with her motto of “Actions not Words” and unlike many of the schools in Ghana, she views caning as a last resort, rather than a standard method of discipline.
The school provides education for students between the ages of 2-14, and is divided into two sections: Primary and Junior High School, at which level they are required to take nationwide examinations that are administered by the Ghanaian Government. Break time highlights a key distinction between Western and Ghanaian cultures, as the students play well together despite age and gender differences. Or perhaps the best example would be watching the younger kids during their break time, as they eagerly try to cram everyone onto the roundabout (very reminiscent of tro rides!). Also worth watching, are the older kids cultural (and often less cultural) games such as “Bang, Bang” and “Jelly Bean.”
Coming soon to a playground near you.
My time at the school was spent teaching singing, which the kids LOVED! I’d often get spontaneous outbursts of the songs I’d taught them; memories I shall treasure for ever. I also helped pupils with their English, marking the essays from the older students. It was a thoroughly rewarding experience, and I am hoping to continue the link I have with the school so that it may continue to benefit.