T.I.A.*

Well, We've been in Ghana for a week now, and I'm starting to get settled into my life here in Africa...starting to find my way around campus, making new friends, and learning the cultural quirks, though I continue to feel incompetent and embarrassed in any new situation.

I wanted to share just a couple of the new adventures I've had in my first week:

Laundry--Today I did laundry for the first time since being here. All laundry is handwashed and air-dried. Most international students pay a washer woman to do their laundry, but where's the fun in that!! I don't think I did a great job at it, but the water was dirty when I was done so that's a good sign that I was at least mildly affective. Embarrassing pictures of uscrouched in the shower stall with buckets of soapy water, wringing out piles of wet clothes, are soon to come.

COLD SHOWERS--Because we're in the rainy season, it's pretty cool here. I'm really glad I brought my jacket, but the temperature makes the fact that our only bathing option is an icy cold shower mildly depressing. We've adopted the military-style shower...Rinse, turn the faucet off, soap up, faucet on, quick rinse off.

Church--Last Sunday I went to my first Ghanaian church service. It was AWESOME! The walls of the sanctuary were open to the outside, and it was kind of cool because it was raining out. But through the open walls, we could hear hymn singing coming from neighboring churches on all sides. It made me feel like I could go anywhere in the country and still be surrounded by the voices of believers in song. It was my favorite moment of the trip so far.

That's all I have for now. Classes start tomorrow! I will try to post pictures soon, because Jon is starting to show me up in that department.

**T.I.A.--"This is Africa." Referenced in the movie Blood Diamond, this common phrase refers to the unpredictable, unconventional, and--at times, for foreigners--potentially confusing or frustrating nature of this wonderful continent.