It was pouring rain when we landed in Accra on Friday night. We left the airport to the cheers of dozens of PC volunteers who had been waiting for our arrival (nice touch, Peace Corps). We got a police escort to the college campus that we're staying on (also a nice touch), but it wasn't as effective as they are in New York.

 

Ghana, or at least Accra, is developed, but certainly not by American standards. The interesting thing is the contrast. There is an American style supermarket right near the Peace Corps office. Next to the market is a Shell station that was servicing BMW SUVs, but behind that was the sort of dilapidated housing you might imagine when you think of an African village. Things here just generally look less polished. Stores are very small and look crumbling from the outside, but the businesses are legit and shopkeepers generally friendly. Roads are often unpaved, even in parts of Accra.

 

The campus we're staying on is nicer than I anticipated (According to PC policy, I am not supposed to divulge my exact location on the web. I find this policy disturbing and sensible.). Imagine the worst motel you've ever stayed in with bug-infested bathrooms in the building next door. But the showers work and the food is good (love that fufu). The first few days are basically an orientation. I've met a number of current volunteers and have some sense for what the next two years might be like, but each experience is so individualized that I won't go into it.

 

People here are friendly and interested in Americans. Thirty-three white and Asian Americans obviously stick out. Yesterday, I was sitting on a bench on the campus, which is mostly empty except for PC people. A Ghanaian walked up to me and we started talking. His English is fair (my Twii is almost nil). He is a student taking a one month referesher course on cable splicing, his profession. I told him I studied electrical engineering in university and worked for an electrical construction company (I didn't say that this was 5 years ago). Instant connection. He showed me the project he was working on and we traded some technical jargon. He seemed very proud to have certification from a US board. I complimented him on his Chicago White Sox hat and started to explain to him what they are because I assumed he didn't know. Because I complimented him on his hat, he put it on my head and offered to "dash me his hat," which means give it to me. Such generosity! I refused, but apparently this sort of thing is common, although it would somewhat crazy in the US.

 

On Thursday, I start my "Vision Quest" which means I'll travel to the home of a current volunteer and stay with him for a couple of days. Should be interesting. Then on to Pre-Service Training where the most important thing will be learning a language. Everyone starts with Twii and depending on my site, maybe another on to a different language. I'll be living with a host family.

 

So that's it for now...So far so good. But it's only been three days! Sorry, no picures yet.

 

Addendum #1: Note about Ghanaian money - my stipend is 50,000 cedis per days, which is about $5.50 at current rates (9,000 cedis to the dollar). Here are a few prices to compare. 1.5 pints of beer - 9,000 cedis (about $1); Ice cream from a cart - 3000 cedis ($.33); Five hour bus ride to a nearby city - 70,000 ($8); liter of gas - 8,500 cedis.

 

Addendum #2: The group - 33 of us started training together. We come from about 20 states, including Alaska, Alabama, Montana, Oregon and Minnesota (to name a few). We range in age from 21 to 64. Most are between 22 and 28.

 

Addendum #3: Note to Penn people - I swore off Philly after graduation (although I did come back to pick up a couch). But on Wednesday, my last night in the US, I brought a couple of fellow volunteers up to 33rd and Walnut. We walked through campus in the rain (I felt like I was a tour guide) and then went to Smoke's. Luks wasn't there, but I looked for him.