Februuary 9

This past weekend our group went to Cape Coast and to Kakum National Park. Touring the slave castle was very intense. I was expecting the tour guide to give us more of a Ghanaian perspective on the slave trade, but he did not. The castle was so beautiful over looking the ocean, it was interesting to be in such a beautiful place where people were being sold and treated like animals. On Sunday we went to Kakum National Park and hiked through the rainforest. We walked over 7 rope bridges 40 meters above the ground. The canopy walk was so cool! We didn't see any monkeys or other wildlife but we it was cool just to be in the rainforest.
This is the fourth week of classes and they are going well. The professors show up about 20 to 30 minutes late and usually leave class early. Last Thursday our Human Rights in Africa professor walked our of class because 1 of the 500 students had not read the assigned handout. Apparently that will teach the students to read, or that's what the other Ghanaian students told us!
I am definitely starting to feel more comfortable getting around in Ghana. It is frustrating when the taxi driver and tro-tro drivers try to charge me more because they don't think I know the price. We have started to learn that if you know how much the ride should be we just pay the exact change and not even ask because more likely than not they will over charge us.
I am working at the orphanage 3 mornings a week, helping in the classroom. The first day I walked in one of the kids ran up to me and said, "Are you taking one of us?" It was so sad, I don't know how many of them well be adopted or how long they are able to stay.
My home stay has been good, not at all what I expected. Everyone is really nice, but the people that are there the most speak Twi, which after only having 3 weeks of classes I am not able to talk with them other than ... "Ete sen?" which is how are you? Our host mom is expected to be back beginning of March.
The food has been an interesting transition. It is very spicy but good. We eat a lot of rice, beans and plantains. My host family made fo-fou last week for us ... I did not enjoy it. It is fermented corn mixed with water and then pounded, it is not cooked. Your are supposed to eat with your hands with a soup. It reminded me a lot of raw bread dough. That is the only thing I have not been able to eat, so I am pleased about that!