Internet connection is very frustrating here in Berekun...

So if white people are like Disney characters to small Ghanaian
children (see previous post), a white person with a digital camera is
like Mickey Mouse giving out free chocolate.

I found this out firsthand after Ghana beat Czech 2-0 for its first
ever World Cup victory. The celebration was unlike anything I have
ever seen. The only US comparison I can think of is a major college
campus after the school wins a basketball or football championship. So
think University of Texas this past January, but the whole country. Of
course, I was only in the small city of Berekun, but I imagine that
the whole country was just as crazy.

One of the many ways Ghanaians celebrated was by forming large packs
and running through the streets (don't worry, not violently). I took a
picture of one of these packs, and before I could look at the screen
to check the picture I had 30 Ghanaian children jumping in my face
wanting their picture taken ("they're flocking this way").

And everyone wanted to dance with me. Everyone wants to know that I
support Ghana (are you Czech?). Everyone wants to see me cheering and
when I walk by they feel the need to cheer extra loudly. The US plays
Ghana on Thursday. If Ghana wins they will advance to the next round,
so go Ghana. I don't think they understand that I just don't care
about how the US does in the World Cup. It's more fun here when Ghana
wins...

Addendum #: Quick note about Peace Corps: it's now for wimps. They
have so many people here on staff providing all kinds of support. Some
of the accommodations are much nicer than I expected. And the living
allowance, while many many times lower than the US, is still more than
I was expecting. Nonetheless, I guess I am still living in Ghana,
which is something. And Ghana is certainly not New York. And I could
still get some difficult housing, so I guess I'll have to wait and see
how hardcore this really is.

¶ 5:30 PM