After a long-delayed flight from New York, we finally arrived in Accra, Ghana! I was greeted with "Akwaaba," which means welcome. English is the national language of Ghana, but over 80 different languages are spoken! Most of the people I have met speak English, Fante, and Twi. After picking us up from the airport, Kathryn informed me that the chargers we were meant to pick up for the IIAB batteries were unavailable at the store from which we had planned on purchasing them. In fact, the man at the store said that we were unlikely to find them anywhere in Ghana. I soon realized that this experience was simply the first of many instances in Ghana and the rest of Africa when even the best-laid out plans can quickly fall apart. Once again, patience and the abilities to go with the flow and act on your feet are critical here. Fortunately, we were able to solve our problem relatively quickly, as we located the necessary chargers at the Goal Zero office in Accra. It was very interesting to hear about their work in Ghana, which focuses on installing lights and solar panels in schools. They were also very interested in my plans and seemed eager to hear of my results. We finally drove to Cape Coast, which is where we will be staying for our first two weeks in Ghana, and it gave me a chance to do a bit of sightseeing from the car. All of the buildings here are very colorful, and goats and chickens run around freely. Many street vendors walk among cars and along the side of the road selling products ranging from candy to fabrics, and they all carry buckets or boxes of these items on top of their heads! I can't even imagine the balance required to maintain that hold while weaving between cars, and the women somehow make it look easy. We arrived at Kathryn's house in the late afternoon, and she showed us all of the beautiful African art she has inside the house. Kathryn has taught a course in African art, so it should come as no surprise that her house in Ghana is so appropriately decorated. The house also has quite a few chickens and roosters, the latter who seem to be slightly confused on their role. These roosters make noise at dawn, as expected, but they begin making this noise around two in the morning. I may have to have a talk with them about their very loud interruptions in the early AM.
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