Day 4 - Accra

We met Polaine around 8:30am and he drove us across town to the Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. We arrived just after 9:00am but visitors aren’t allowed until 10:00am. So, Polaine took us back to the National Theater for a tour. His brother works there and we were given a tour around the building. We even got to see a rehearsal for a production that is taking place later this month! After our tour, Polaine drove us back to the Memorial Park where we were given a private tour. Polaine was hooking it up with the tours and inside scoop! After our tour we drove back across town for lunch with Esenam and some other friends. We met at Melting Moments, the restaurant near her school. I ordered the special of the day, Banku and Tilapia. I ordered a different variety of pastries for the road and after lunch we said good-bye to Esenam for the last time. Then Polaine drove us to the Oxford Street one last time so that we could stop by Koala (the grocery store). We bought a Thank You card and chocolates for Esenam’s parents as a Thank You for their generosity towards us during the duration of our stay. Polaine suggested that we visit one last market area before boarding our bus back to Takoradi. So, he dropped us off and we ventured through. We had already bought more than we needed but Jamie and Ian found some bracelets that they liked and we bought some ribbon to tie to the chocolate for Esenam’s parents. We found Polaine, which was a struggle being that we were downtown and there are buses, people, and vendors everywhere! Polaine drove us to the bus station where we gathered our stuff and took some last minute pictures with him. He made sure that we loaded up and didn’t overpay, then headed on his way. We sat on the bus for an hour before it was full and ready to leave. While waiting on the bus, women selling food and a variety of items came on and tried to sell to us. We politely denied and sat in the heat as we swatted away mosquitoes and waited patiently for the bus to depart. Once the bus finally departed a pastor stood up and began to give a sermon, then a lengthy prayer for the journey to Takoradi. Some passengers gave him money and others just worshiped along with him. Once on the road and out of town I was thankful for my ipod. I listened to music until we arrived in Takoradi. Although, at one rest stop I bought a loaf of bread through the window and truly felt like a native! We got off the bus and took a taxi back to the ship. After the long journey we were tired and dirty. Showers and bed is all that was on my mind.