Beach Day

Date Written 27 January 2011

Today we finally went to the ocean. Legon is probably about 5-6 miles away but we have not yet been to the beach. It was quite stunning, very long, developed in only developing world charm, no high rise hotels or pavement in sight.

Swimming was an altogether interesting experience. While wave hopping was similar to Maine, the ocean was so warm. However, there was some trash, mostly plastic bag bits it seems although only once did one stick to me. Otherwise, you just felt them rub briefly against your legs. I tried largely in vain to bodysurf although trying to do that and hold onto one’s sunglasses (essential to see the waves) was difficult. We also played a great game of beach football (soccer) with our guides and some other beach goers. It was fun and my team won. I was relieved that I was not totally awful and almost scored once. We took the most cramped tro tro ride yet. We fit five across in several rows on the way back despite the usual number of four across which is cramped to begin with. We needed twenty two spots in a van that in the US might legally seat 12. Fun stuff though and we made it back to campus directly since we essentially chartered the tro tro for a nonstop ride.

A couple nights ago, we discussed the upcoming trip to Cape Castle and the tours of two slaves castles in Cape Coast and Elmina. We will be staying in a beautiful oceanfront hotel on stilts, within sight of the Cape Coast castle which was used in the slave trade. In the past, some students were particularly affected by the tours of the slave castles. It depends on the tour guides as some simply spell out the facts while others make the experience more vivid. Apparently in the past, some students took issue with the fact that the hotel was so close to the castle, one even pointing out that for she knew, she was sleeping on the very ground her ancestors were buried. Our program director also pointed out that for the first time, there are more black students than white ones in our group, a change to the usual make up of one or two black students per trip. It was an interesting discussion none the less and more exciting since we leave early tomorrow morning.

I will try to post more over the weekend!