Packing began with shopping. Walmart, Eastern Mountain Sports and Target had all of what I needed. Sunscreen, toiletries, mattress pads, and Tevas were all dearly needed.Most interestingly, we bought a water filter, which is required to purify the water that comes from the tap. So what you must about Western New York's water, coming from still highly polluted Lake Erie through ancient pipes that lose some 40% (Yes, 40%!) of their volume through leaks, but one can still drink it and not have to be carted off to a hospital. Not so in Ghana. My guidebook says that one should expect to pay some $2 per day on drinks such as bottled water or soda, as tap water will make you sick.
Thus, visitors and tourists mainly purchase bottled water. The rich can install filters or buy bottled water (around $1). However, those options are far out of reach for the poor.
Thus, the water sachet (pictured left) is the only viable option. They are far cheaper than bottled water as they cost around 5 pesewas or about $0.03 USD although My Joy reports the price recently doubled (http://news.myjoyonline.com/business/201101/59478.asp). However, quality of even this water is not always assured as a Ghanaian scientist reported this past December that filtering water was the only way to go (http://news.peacefmonline.com/health/201012/119243.php). The taste is also not always decent, especially to a Westerner.
I suppose this is the path less traveled, at least for a study abroad experience.
That’s interesting. I didn’t know that about Ghana—how the water quality has led to the proliferation of water packs like the ones in the picture. The best option is having your own filter because, while bottled water does the same thing, it’s less environmentally-friendly and more expensive in the long run. You’re guaranteed to get healthy, clean water and do your part for the environment too.
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