Day 2 - Accra

We ventured out for our journey to Accra. A group of 10 of us took taxis to the Accra bus station. Due to the long line and unpredictability in the bus system (buses leave when they are full and it can take a while for them to fill up), we decided to load up in a passenger van. We each paid 9 cedi ($6) and made sure that the van was air conditioned...crucial to us making it to Accra in the heat. I was wayyyy in the back where the ride is extra bumpy and overly crowded. We took the same main rode that we traveled the day before to Cape Coast. The native guy sitting next to me was really nice, well dressed, and funny. He got off before Accra so for the last half hour of the 3 and a half hour ride, we had some much needed extra space! Once at the Accra station we stepped out of the van and were instantly struck my the heat. Our interport student (my new Ghanaian friend), Esenam, had arranged for her family driver to come and pick us up. Our large group was split with 2 friends visiting relatives, 4 friends visiting a village, and the remaining 4 of us, including Esenam, stayed in Accra.

Polaine, the driver, picked us up after we arrived. We loaded up our stuff and drove across town to the hotel where we would be staying. We saw some unusual sightings such as a man sitting on the curb butt naked, just relaxing. Our hotel, The Pentagon Inn, was a large home converted into a hostel-like hotel. Each room had a large king size bed and bathroom attached. The accommodation was quite nice, but still not what we were expecting. The beds were stiff and the shower had a hand held nozzle that trickled with water. We figured out the rooming situation while Esenam went home to put her bags away. She came back to pick us up and we headed to Oxford Street to do some shopping. Polaine dropped us off, then we walked to a bank to get some money and then bargained our way through each shop. After shopping, we walked to a nearby grocery store to pick up some Ghanaian ice cream then took a taxi back to Esenam’s home for dinner. At her home we met her parents, one of her older brothers, her cousin, and their cook. They had set a table and prepared a large spread of food for us to eat. The menu consisted of jollof, fried chicken, baked chicken, steamed vegetables, kelewele, and fired plantain. The food was delicious! We discussed Ghanaian culture and traditions. Our conversations were so insightful and powerful. Esenam’s father spoke so highly of creating a community and about his family. Everyone calls each other, visits weekly, and respects their elders. After dinner we headed back to our hotel then enjoyed free wifi for the night….a special treat after living on the ship!