Today started with a presentation over the history and culture of Ghana. Some interesting things that I learned are that:
*The left hand is considered dirty or improper by Ghanaians. You should always shake hands, give someone something, point, eat, etc. with your right hand or you will offend someone.
*Ghanaians in general love George W. Bush. They admire his "cowboy" attitude. They like forceful leaders and people who go for what they want.
*Funerals are a bigger event than weddings. Your body may lie in the morgue for 6-9 months while they save and prepare for your funeral. The funeral is a huge party that lasts for days.
*Ghanaians eat with their hands, "it tastes better that way"
*It is considered extremely rude to say no when someone offers you water, so rude and offensive that they may be mad at you for days. However you can say no to anything else and it is ok.
*A Ghanaian may politely tell you that you should have some of their food or drink, but they don't really mean it, so you should say thank you......but don't really take any.
Pictures of the Day
The shower in my room. No hot or even warm water. Every shower is ice cold. But that is ok because it is very warm and balmy here. No snow. No ice. Just heat and sunshine. I love it!
These are my maids Lydia and Felicia. While cleaning my room this morning they found the computers and gift bags for the school. They are so excited that we have donated gifts for schools in Ghana.
So now we are headed for lunch and to see the US embassy. There are lots of interesting things to see along the way.
Men and women both are seen everywhere carrying large items on their head. I love the clothes here. They are so bright and colorful.
Most Ghanaians seem to love heaving their picture made.
No explanation needed here.
Lots of people also lying and sitting around taking naps (including several guards who were supposed to be working!) I think it is a way to beat the heat.
Lunch was at a very nice restaurant, lots of atmosphere, jungle theme, menu was bound in leather. I decided to have soup. I thought the Goat Meat Pepper Soup sounded really good. I have never had goat and I love spicy food.
I wasn't prepared for this. There were no vegetables. Just meat and broth. The broth seemed to be straight pepper and salt, a whole box of each. Very spicy hot but no real flavor except pepper. So I dipped the spoon in to get some meat.
This was hard to look at. It seemed to be various body parts and nothing I could readily identify. Upon eating it (yes, I ate it) it tasted a little like squirrel and had a rubbery texture. Couldn't really chew it, just had to swallow it whole.
On closer inspection, we identified what we think was the hide of the goat.........
and the intestines.....maybe. A real food adventure, glad I tried it but.......that was enough. I was full.
Now we were off to the embassy, but I cannot show you pictures of that. It is not allowed. If you take pictures, they confiscate your camera and interrogate you or something. But we met our host teachers and took a tour of the embassy. Then on to more exciting events.
We attended a performance of the Saakumu Dance Troupe. Their energy level is incredible and their dance moves are amazing. P90X or Insanity don't even come close to being this good of a work-out!
