The Last King of Jamestown

Date: 31/01/2010
Time: 18:00
Location: Accra, Ghana


Yet again another week at sandals has passed. I try to look back and see what I have done. And honestly I am ashamed. Classes are great, but what else have I to show after being here now 3 weeks. This week consisted of class, homework, going out, and doing two cultural events. I will tell you though the things that I did were absolutely fabulous. As I sit here not feeling well, feeling like I want to throw up I will explain the chain of events.
NYU in Ghana offers a Documenting Africa class. Basically a class where groups can decide what topic they want to document then they go out and film. Well this past week they showed us previous documentaries from the previous students. All were quiet controversial, some I enjoyed, and some I was getting very frustrated with. First, I will give a big round of applause to those that did a documentary on homosexuality. For those of you that do not know, Homosexuality here in Ghana is Illegal. The sign at the airport welcomes everyone except those of homosexual orientation. It is something that you can be imprisoned for, and a subject that is very hush hush. The society does not take any notice to it. And as the documenting teacher clearly stated, “they look just like normal people” This cause a lot of commotion amongst us that were sitting watching the documentaries. It was nonetheless a great movie and something that will be interesting to see and try and spot here. Another documentary example was one made by the black students from NYU that came here. It talked about what it means to be black, and how they are oppressed, and a lot of other things. This was one of the documentaries I got very angry with. I will not say much more because I will just rant and rave, but it was extraordinary to see that in today’s society people have still not gotten over race issues. I realize there are still issues but I get very angry at the issue of blacks being oppressed still. I will say that there are probably places in the US and some other places in the world that there are still some people out there that have a racist view against black people… but to say that you are still totally oppressed is a very bold statement. If any race could say anything these days it would be the Muslims. The two biggest groups that are under fire these days are Muslims and homosexuals. Anytime a Muslim steps into the airport, they are guaranteed to be searched, not a black person anymore. There are black people making millions, there are black people getting into university everywhere, I do not see black people getting stares on the streets, and I see blacks and whites socializing every minute of each day. I may be ignorant in saying all of this, but I think every person is in some way is as if a black person says they are still oppressed they are not opening up their eyes properly and are still shadowed by the history, which may I add… you do not hear Jewish people anymore talking about how they are oppressed anymore, as well as Japanese from when the Americans basically imprisoned them too. As you can all see, it is a very sore subject as it is with everyone, but this was a film that really got to me.
I am sorry to all for starting on a very serious subject. I figured I might as well start on something more serious than the sandals trip idea that I have been talking about on every other blog that I have written. The only day of sandals I had this year was well…went for a night swim at one of the hotel swimming pools on Wednesday night, then Thursday night was wine on the outside top porch balcony, and Friday. Hah shall we talk about Friday night adventures (our adventures always seem to happen on Fridays, but ah well.. that is what the beginning of the weekends are for!).

Friday all started with seeing royalty. For those of you who know that I am indeed half English (the other half being German), but I will say that I was not able to see the queen of England unfortunately (but Chase did this past semester in England) Even better I saw the King of Jamestown. We took a trip down into Jamestown (The poorest part of Accra) and went into the Kings quarters. We were welcomed and also dismissed with traditional drummers, and also welcomed and said goodbye to the king traditionally (for obvious reasons). It was such a surreal experience. We shook with two hands as if you just shake with 1 that is disrespectful, you can never cross your legs in front of an honorary figure as that is also disrespectful because if you cross your legs then you are showing the souls of your feet. This is the idea that the king stands on the holy so by not standing on the ground you are not showing your respect. The king also never directly spoke to us; his linguistic would answer all questions that were asked. What made us feel even more special though, ready… the king actually spoke to us! The last words came from him. Traditionally the King never says a word, but he personally thanked us for coming to learn about their culture, and was happy that he could provide us with some insights. He was very soft spoken (just like the Krieger-Redwood- Turner family! ☺ ) It was one of the highlights of this week. I feel so royal being in this country. As a normal tourist you would never be able to see the King- and we were able too- man it feels good to brag about it!

Friday ended with just of an epic night as of a day. The social mixer that the CRA’s put on for us. This social mixer was for our program and for any Ghanaian student from University of Ghana and Asheshi University, as well as the CIEE abroad program. We popped open a bottle of wine and waited for some of the students to arrive. As the night went on more and more Ghanaians showed up, more and more wine was being “sipped” down, and the night was getting more and more less awkward. But… I love awkward moments so I was embracing it and making friends with all the Ghanaians! Some were teaching me how the Ghanaians’ dance, and then I fell in love with one of the CRA’s. I have a new found love for one of the CRA’s that is an RA for the other dorm building. But as the social mixer was coming to an end some of us ended up going back to Champs. Guess who we ran into? Yes that is correct, the South Africans. This time around we found out that Tess and my South Africans new Sara, Doug’s, and Heathers South Africans. Sara, Doug, and Heather… again ended up having a very interesting night but this night they ended up coming home earlier than Tess and me. Tess and I had a little adventure of our own again. Playing pool for like 3 hours and then driving around for like 2 hours trying to find our place. Mind you the streets of Accra are bustling at 5:30 in the morning. As I was just getting home, people were waking up in Ghana. Great! Saturday was a day of rest. I sat by the pool side and read the 100’s of pages I had to read for Pan-Afracanism. It was quiet a lovely day if I must say so myself and as locals came pouring into the pool the tunes were put on and I could not concentrate anymore so I just swam, danced, and sang along with some of our new found love for the artists here (Ruff N’ Smooth being one of them, and 4 x 4 being another). Then Liza and I had a little date and watched Changeling- what a messed up movie. And to think that it was based on a real story made it all even worse. It is a movie I highly recommend to everyone.
If any of you ever come to Ghana, do not be scared to tried the traditional foods of West Africa. The food is absolutely to die for. Fufu, Red Red, plantains galore, Palava source, Banku.. I could go on and on. Food is obviously something very “holy” to me. Food and me= relationship status. I do not mess around. Today was the day I was in Food heaven. The CRA’s put on cooking lessons for us to learn how to make a few of their favourite Ghanaian dishes. It was Aqua is ma house- representing house 3. Abna is house 2 and Doug in House 4. RA Chris was MIA! I am not going to lie I kind of felt like I was Julie from Julia Julie. Anyone seen that movie? It is a cute movie… I would say snuggle worthy- and if you like food then it just makes you that much more motivated to go and make your own foods. I will say it was a Julie Julia weekend for me because Saturday night I made such a good dinner. Mash potatoes, egg, beans, and peas. It was delicious- LIza can attest to it! But anyway, today was fabulous. I felt like I was on a resort just doing cooking lessons, and enjoying the hot weather. After we stuffed our faces, it was time to go and support Ghana in the final of the African Cup of Nations. It was all fun and games while we were down in Osu town with the Ghanians. Got our face painted, cheered, and cried. Although Ghana were clearly the better team on today’s match the game of football clearly showed them up when Egypt took the only true opportunity they had and scored! This is why I love the game. It is such an unpredictable sport.

I am now sitting in my sitting room feeling quiet crappy. I feel like throwing up, I am hungry but if I eat I will throw up. I am feeling sorry for myself and probably will ring my parents even though they can’t do anything for me. Does anyone else do that? Ring your parents whilst you are at university or somewhere completely different and tell them that you are not feeling well? I do! I do not know what they could ever possibly do for me.. I guess I just like the comfort that they give me! ☺ Love the family.
Before I go… another Christa story. So Some of us wanted to get a gym membership so we went to go visit the gym, Christa came with us, toured it with us and as we were done she said. “Go to the car guys are am going to work some magic!” So. We waited. She came back and said, “Call me the negotiation queen!” She ended up being able to work out some kind of deal. I go later that week to give her how many people wanted to sign up and she said. “Sophie, you ready to hear some good news?” I said, “Um. Yeah!!” and she said, “ I have been talking with the gym and NYU and I am 90% sure that we can get everyone to the gym without paying!” so I was like.. What…. and so the next day- Well all I will say is. “SHE IS GHANA!”
Alright, that is it for me as I am going to go curl up in a ball on my bed and watch Jerry McGuire.

-KR x