Cocoa farm and botanical gardens...with a special surprise

Today started off, like the other days, with a bit of bad news. Jeff, one of the kids in our clan, had gotten the same stomach bug I had a few days before. He is feeling better though so hopefully he'll be okay for our venture to the Cape Coast tomorrow.

After that, we began our bus ride to Tetteh Quarshie's Cocoa Farm, Ghana's first and oldest Cocoa Farm. Before our tour began though, we ran into a group of African schoolchildren across from the farm. It was so awesome! The kids were excited to see us, one kid even cartwheeled out of excitement! We went over and played with them, taking pictures, playing soccer and running relay races. We got to hand out candy and pencils to the kids as well, it was great to see the joy on their face. Before we left, the kids impressed us by counting up to 20 in English (pretty darn impressive for 3-5 yr. old kids!) After that, we enjoyed a song that they sang for us, which I have included as a link at the bottom. (Warning: Video may be too ridiculously cute)


After hanging out with the kids for not nearly as long as I wanted to, we went on the tour of the Cocoa Farm. The farm not only had cocoa but plantains, bananas and other exotic plants and fruits as well. Our guide was excellent in explaining how they use literally every part of the cocoa plant. They use the residue from the raw bean to feed animals, they burn the shells for mulch and they use the vines from the trees and weave them as baskets to carry the beans. This got me thinking about how wasteful I've been with some foods I've eaten. From now on, I'm gonna be more careful before I throw out that extra little scrap.



We followed up the Cocoa Farm tour with a tour of the nearby Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, my camera's battery went out halfway through. Words can't really describe some of the beautiful trees I saw in the garden. You definitely don't see trees like this back home in the States. Lunch after the tour was great and then we got to go to a Woodcarvers' village where most of the clan brought masks, sculptures and purses for their loved ones. Garrett was even able to help one of the carver's out in making a traditional Ghanaian mask. Very neat. I'm sure some of you reading this will be seeing these beautiful crafts in the near future!



Currently we're all sitting in the hotel lobby resting up for our big voyage to the Cape Coast Castle tomorrow. Everyone is making sure they're all packed up and ready to go for our last few days on the coast. Time's flying fast and I wish I could stay a few days longer....

Until tomorrow,
Pat

Marriage proposals, soccer and eating with our hands

Unfortunately, the day started with some bad news. Our trip to the W.E.B Du Bois Center had to be postponed because the center was not open on Sundays. Luckily, the gang would recover and make the best of the day to come.

After breakfast and a short bus ride, the gang arrived at Kwame Nkumrah Memorial Park, a park dedicated to Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkumrah. Our guide ran us through his eventful life, showing us pictures and furniture from his time as president. I found it interesting that throughout his life he fought for women's rights in government and currently his daughter, Samia, is the only female member of the Ghanian Parliament, very cool. Also, various trees were planted in Kwame's name by various American and African leaders, including Jesse Jackson, Nelson Mandella and Robert Mugabe. After the tour, we made our way to the market.

Kwame Nkumrah Memorial Park

At the market, we were bombarded by "vendors" eager to sell us anything and everything, including drums, soccer jerseys and various wood carvings. I wasn't used to the agressiveness of the vendors and eventually found myself seperated from the group, in the house of a vendor trying to decide whether or not to purchase a mask or a carved duck. (For the record, I went with the duck.) Others, like Joanie, received marriage proposals from the vendors in hopes to coerce them into buying. It truly was an insane experience.

After our hectic time at the market, we took a lunch at Frankie's. Frankie's had some great chicken and rice and as a pleasant surprise, I got to watch my favorite soccer team, Chelsea, at the restaurant. As an added bonus, Ghana's own native son, Michael Essien, scored a goal.

Since our trip to W.E.B Du Bois had to be rescheduled, the gang decided to take in a Ghana Premier League soccer game, Hearts v. Hasaacas. The game was pretty exciting as there was a penalty kick, a red card and a number of goal chances. You can see the game's only goal below at the bottom of the page.

After a stop at the hotel, we went to a beachside restaurant for what we thought would be our dinner. However, the restaurant tried giving us the "obroni prices" (loosely translated, "the white man's price.") Luckily, our tour guide George was having none of it and we left. The trip was worth it, however, as we got a great view of the Accra coastline.


Dinner was amazing! Everyone in the gang tried some adventurous dishes. I tried banku and okra soup, which was a sticky, doughy substance and some delicious beef soup. I ate it like the locals, with my hands, and it was definitely a treat. Our dinner also gave us our second marriage proposal of the night, as one of our waitresses proposed to Brad. A good time was had by all and the food was delicious.

Me enjoying some banku.

Currently the gang is enjoying the hotel pool and I'm about to do that myself. Pictures from our business excursions should be up tomorrow. Until then...

Do you guys have google down here?
Pat Zeman

We're here!

Akwaaba! (Welcome!)




We made it! After spending over 24 hours in busses, airports and airplanes, the troops have finally safely arrived in Accra, Ghana.

I could feel the excitement the moment the trip began as I stepped onto our bus. We played games on the bus and in the airport to keep the energy high. One of us was even lucky enough to run into Eric Snow at the Indy airport.

After our short flight to Detroit, the troops prepared for two eight-hour marathon flights to Amsterdam and Accra. These flights tested the endurance of even the most experienced travelers. Most slept, some decided to enjoy the fine airline cuisine, and one blogger decided to listen to this song > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER6Sce4m6KU over 29 times during both of the flights.

We were welcomed in Accra to hot and sticky weather, and at eight-o-clock at night no less! We loaded up the bus and even witnessed a fight in the airport parking lot which provided some much needed entertainment for the tired and weary troops.

Currently we're all sitting in the hotel lobby, not wanting to end our first night here in Accra. Tomorrow, we will touring Accra, Kwame Nkrumah Park and W.E.B Du Bois. Look for pictures to be up sometime tomorrow.

Until tomorrow,
Patrick Zeman