So Far From Urkel

Yesterday I ate a ham sandwich and watched Family Matters. Today I ate hummus and watched thousands of religious Jews pray at the Western Wall of the Temple Mount to begin the rituals of Shabbat (Sabbath) with the Dome of the Rock looming overhead and the Muslim call to prayer sounding in the distance. So I made it to Jerusalem all safe and sound...hopefully my baggage will soon too. I met seven other students from the school on my flight, so that made it a little less stressful making my way from Tel Aviv, where I flew in, to Jerusalem. Campus is beautiful, it looks very middle eastern with a garden growing pomegranates, olives, and grapes (which I am allowed to steal). Jerusalem still feels larger than life...the fact that I'm actually here after so much anticipation might take a while to sink in. Tomorrow is orientation and registration, then classes start on Monday (which is apparently NOT Labor Day here).

Ghana address

For anyone who might want to know:

Erica Boonstra
Calvin College, c/o Dr. Randall Jelks
University of Ghana
PO Box 73
Legon, Ghana, West Africa

"obrunis" in africa

I looked out balcony door of my dorm room this morning and there was no question that I've arrived in Africa. Our flight arrived yesterday night and we made our way to University of Ghana International Student HOstel around 10:30. All safe and only one lost bag (not mine). Our flights went well but I'm very relieved to be here. Traveling becomes emotionally draining very quickly.

I could go on and on telling you about my dorm, the campus, the food, the bathrooms, etc. but, in an effort to keep things short, I think I might adopt this new format for these posts, limiting myself to five interesting, semi-interesting, or not really very intersting things about my life here in Ghana. Here goes:

1. Community bathrooms--many of the bathroom stalls don't have locks on the doors, and oftentimes the toilets don't flush well, which makes a bathroom experience for someone like me, who positively hates any toilet other than my own, the greatest challenge thus far. And there's no hot water AT ALL.

2. Lots of white people--I didn't realize how many other American students there would be here besides our group. Obruni is the Twi word for white person. So far I've only been called that by other white people. It's allegedly not an insult.... :)

3. Lizards--everywhere. Big ones.

4. ISH 2--that's the name of our hostel, and (let me tell you) it's a happenin' place. Last night people were up having a party until 11:30 p.m.! The U of G is not like Calvin at all. Students are everywhere!! Especially at night.

5. NOISE!--Some students have class at 6 a.m. so everyone is up pretty early. I was woken up this morning at 7:00 by the bustle of people and trucks on the street right outside my window.

Alright, that's all for now.

Peace.
Erica