Canopy Bridges and Cape Coast

This morning I woke up to the sounds of worship outside my room. Not just the sound of a preacher or a soft hum of singing, it was so loud and intense our room started shaking. Ghanaians sure know how to do church. They were howling, clapping, and yelling “praise the lord” to the sound of drums. It was just so lively I couldn’t help but think America might be able to learn something from them. However, the biggest problem with the devoutness of Ghanaians on Sundays is that there is no place for international students to eat.

Two days ago was the trip to Kakum National Park and Elmina Castle. The day was a complete rollercoaster of emotions. Kakum was hands down one of the most beautiful forests I have ever seen. We walked across the canopy rope bridges that extended over the treetops of vast stretches of the forest. The trees were so thick that you could not see the ground so all you could see into the distance was a carpet of greenery. It was gorgeous. There is no way anyone afraid of heights (aka mom and Kyle) could have walked across the creaking bridge that had some scary thin and fraying pieces of ropes holding up the bridge..like in Indiana Jones movies!, with any peace of mind. One more point, I was a little surprised that Ghana appreciated and recognized the importance of nature enough to protect such a beautiful forest. At the end of the trail, a vendor sold honey straight out of the forest and I’m sure you all know I love honey. It was honestly the most delicious honey I’ve tasted, minus the dirt mixed in..true organic produce! 

Following the hike, we ate lunch at a little eatery where I got a Coke (which is always contained in a cold glass bottle-old fashion style) and a variety of African foods. The lady who cooked was gracious enough to include a side of French fries which don’t taste like American French fries probably because of the oil used. The other dishes included fried rice, fried plantains, noodles with a SPICY red sauce, chicken, red red (beans, lentils, sometimes avocado, black-eyed peas). Very satisfying meal.

When we arrived at Elmina Castle, the mood completely shifted. The white walled castle, located right on the coast of the Cape Coast was founded by the Portuguese and later handed off to the Dutch as a trading post and place for missionaries to stay and spread the word of god. I surprised myself by discovering how emotionally invested I was in the experience- I guess this was one of the reasons I came to Ghana. It was just so hard to place myself there and realize it was at this EXACT spot that humans performed such a horrendous act. When we entered the dark dungeons, a stench so strong it made your eyes water overwhelmed your senses. It was in these dark cells that Africans were packed like animals with very little ventilation. They were beaten, raped, killed, exposed to illness all around, and if they survived this treatment, they were eventually shipped off on the Middle Passage. I thought about the Black Diaspora and how black people can be found in all corners of the world because of the Transatlantic slave trade (and other processes for that matter). I also questioned how such a process led to the spread of Christianity in Africa and its dominance today in Ghana- it is strange to think about how the suppressed have come to accept the religion of their suppressors.  

The student guides told our group before we entered that we cannot blame ourselves for what happened in the past and that regardless of skin color, we are all one. However, I could not help but feel guilty because of my skin color as I walked through the castle. Was I entitled to feel so emotional? Were the African people also touring the castle blaming me for what happened?...the list goes on. I came to the conclusion that I was blessed to have witnessed such a historical site because I was there to learn from the mistakes of humans in the past and to prevent further crimes against humanity from occurring.

On a lighter note, I went to the mall to try and buy a camera but the cheapest one was 400 cedis which is absolutely ridiculous. And my computer broke. No bueno. I did buy groceries- bananas, peanut butter, and bread to help me survive the lack of nutrients in my diet. I spotted nutella on the shelf but knew my mom would kill me if I purchased such an item in Africa for around ten US dollars. I’m now starting to feel like I can navigate my way around the city, bargaining and riding on tro-tros and taxis. School started today yet I still don’t know when or where my classes are… but this is Ghana and things don’t run like in America. I had my first lecture, but it didn’t happen. I waited in class for almost an hour but the teacher never showed up. Oh and I spent the first half of my day at the hospital again, only to find out that I could get no medicinal treatment…I’m just praying I never get seriously ill because I don’t know what I would do! Now I am off to trek across campus to meet my friends who live in the International Students Hostel to eat at a café that has spaghetti!