Ghana and Neptune Day!

09/24/09

Today, I woke up in hopes of a shorter bus ride to Kakum National Park and Eliminia Castle. I went down to breakfast and we actually had a real breakfast this morning instead of croissants. It was fanstastic! We boarded the bus and were on our way to Kakum National Park. Someone eventually asked how far and was told 3 hours. I honestly thought it was going to be that far, but it was too late to turn back now. I learned something really cool about all Ghanaian people’s names. Whatever day they are born on they have a name that corresponds to that day and it becomes part of their name. There are ones specific to males and specific to females. After the long drive to Kakum National Park due to traffic we finally arrived around 1130am. We had a short hike up to the top. It was quite steep at times and many people in the group had to rest. We learned about all the different types of medicines that come from the trees in the forest. The people of Ghana use many of these to cure things such as diarrhea, upset stomach, a cough, fever, etc. Eventually we made it to the top. Now it was time for our canopy walk. However, I didn’t know that the walkway was literally less than a foot big. And the sides of it were made out of ropes. We were really high off the ground. And there were 7 bridges to cross. The view was absolutely gorgeous. I can say it was my first Rainforest Experience too!!! Unfortunately, there were no animals in view because they only really come out at night, but it was soo worth it. After, we hiked back down and went to a hotel for lunch. Ghana is suppose to have some really spicy food and I was hoping it wasn’t too bad. It actually was really good. I also decided to get a beer as you all know I am trying one in every country. It’s called Star and it was the biggest beer in a bottle I have ever seen. It tasted good, but then again I realized I only had 15 minutes to drink it. Needless to say I drank it quickly and burped the entire bus ride to the Elminia Castle and home for 4 hours. After about a half hour we arrived at Elminia Castle which is located on the Cape Coast. It was gorgeous with palm trees, beaches, the Atlantic Ocean, etc. In front of the castle are lagoons. This is where the fish market is located. It smelled absolutely disgusting. We went into the castle for a tour. A little history about the castle is, that is the longest standing European building in Africa. It was first in power by the Portuguese, then Dutch, then the British. It was used as a place they kept men and women that were bred for slavery. it definitely took me back a little seeing some of the rooms in which these people were kept. After the tour ended we got back on the bus and headed back to the ship in TEMA (a four hour drive). Oh and I just wanted to mention the fact that some kids chose to go to the fish market so it smelled like fish for the 4 hour ride. GROSS. Eventually we arrived at the ship and they kept dinner for us again. I was totally exhausted so I went back to my room and to watch a movie. I decided to skip my Habitat trip because there was no way I physically could get up again and this time I would have to be up by 5am. I decided to make plans to see Accra since I had yet to see it.

09/25/09

Today, I woke up and grabbed some breakfast quick and went to get the 8am shuttle to Accra. We left a little after 8 and sat in a lot of traffic. The bus driver pulled over twice, it was really an awkward ride. I had no idea what was going on. Thankfully, we arrived safely a little after 9am. As soon as we got off the bus we got bombarded with people trying to sell us things. It is tough to just walk away from them because they are just being nice and trying to get you to buy things. Eventually we got away and found a taxi to go to the textile market. My friend wanted to have a textile made. We sat in traffic for a little while and then we got to the market. We entered and people rushed to us to come and have a look in their stores. I felt like I was back in Morocco again. It made me feel a little uncomfortable until one guy offered to help us. My friend was able to find a textile and have it embroidered but that took like 45  minutes. Then, we took a taxi back to the gas station and were ready to shop just a little more before catching the shuttle back to the ship. I really wanted a bracelet made. It’s made out of string and the boys that sell that make them right in front of you. One high school student came up to us and asked us if he could make us bracelets. We replied yes and he pulled all the supplies out of his backpack. It was actually really cool to watch them make it. But, since we were stopped and stuck there we were approached by many others trying to sell us things and literally we only have enough for the bracelets. It started to get a little uncomfortable, but the boy making our bracelets told them all to go away. Eventually they stopped trying to sell us things and just talked to us. Funny story, one guy told me I was multi-colored and asked me if I knew that. I said no I have no idea what you are talking about. He said yeah your white, your brown, your dark brown. He was referring to all my freckles hahaha. Then, a  few them tried to get my bracelet that I have had on for over 2 ½ years. I almost flipped out. My friend explained how important it is to me and then they left it alone. They were a fun bunch of guys. Just as the boy was finishing my bracelet it starting to rain. Thankfully, yes dad I brought my rain jacket so I put it on. As we were about 10 feet from the gas station a torrential down pour came and I was soaked. We waited for the bus and then headed back to the ship. Tired and hungry we ate and took showers. Then, I just relaxed for the rest of the day. Had dinner and watched a movie. I definitely liked Ghana a lot and want to go back. It is really a welcoming place and English is their language so it makes communication much easier than many countries we will go to. Tomorrow is Neptune Day! We finally cross the equator we start the celebration at 9am. So, I’ll grab some breakfast and then head to the 7^th deck.

09/26/09

Today, is NEPTUNE DAY! Well so much for sleeping in a little. We were awoken at 740am by whistles, drums, cymbols, and loud bangs on the doors going down the hallways. This happened at least 2 times. Since, I was awake I went to have breakfast earlier than expected. We headed up to the top deck just before 9am. Tons of people up there and two men dressed with plastic aprons and gloves standing next to 3 large barrels by the pool. We were told to stand near the pool and wait for the entry of King and his people. As the band of people came up the procession of King Neptune began. King Neptune was covered head to toe in green  paint and wore a grass skirt. It was our ship’s captain. It was probably one of the funniest things I have ever seen. After introducing all of “important people” the ceremony began. Those who wanted to participate were told to form a line near the pool deck and be ready to become shellbacks. If you have never crossed the equator by ship you are called a pollywog. So, people formed the line and the barrels were opened. It was “fish guts” that was to be poured on people’s heads and then jump into the pool. Tons of people did it, but I opted not to. I don’t feel well and I didn’t want to stand around soaking wet and cold. Tons and tons of people did it. It was really cool to watch. It was required for the Crew members who have never done it before. So, in their white uniforms they had to do it too. It was pretty funny. Also, professors and all were jumping in too. The second half of the ceremony is head shaving. Apparently, old sailors would shave their heads during the crossing of the equator. So whoever wanted to got the opportunity to do it today. The first one up was a girl, yes a girl with longer blonde hair. 5 minutes hair…. GONE. I mean shaved to the scalp. This went on for a couple hours. Many many girls did it. Some did half their heads, others did Mohawks, and some just outright shaved the whole thing. An older woman who was a life long learner probably about 70 years old shaved her head. Some of the living and learning coordinators did too. A girl whose mother works on the ship had to be maybe in middle school still had long hair and just shaved it all off. It was awesome to watch, but soon as I heard that razor it made me so nervous for the people in those chairs. I went to lunch and took a nap. We had another lifeboat drill again tonight, always fun.. NOT. Then, I had my bridge tour which I got to see the place where the captain and the crew work out of. It was really cool to learn about the ship and the technology. We are the fastest cruise ship in the world, and that is our greatest weapon against threats or violence from other ships. After that we went and got some dinner and now I’m going to watch Now and Then and hang out. 6 days of straight classes this week. But, then SOUTH AFRICA!!!!! I am really excited to get there!! I’ve got a couple of things planned that I am really excited about and I’ll update you on them the end of the week!