Arriving in Ghana

Stepping off the plane, the first sensation was the intense heat and humidity. After only a short relief while we were in the small airport meeting a Ghanian friend, we were back outside and searching for a car to take us to our destination.  Immediatley, we were surronded by a group of young Ghanaians who eagerly took our bags and carried them to our friend’s car.  Amid the confusion, we discovered that the car did not have enough space to fit all of our luggage plus all five passengers.  We began searching for a taxi but as we were five white people, the price for the taxi immediately rose above the normal rate.  After some intense negotiations, we were finally in a car and heading to our destination.

Throughout this first experience, I definitely offset my culture shock experience by remembering what life had been like in India.  There too, I had arrived at night and I remember the same feelings of apprehension as I travelled through an unknown city, through chaotic traffic, along dark streets that were lit only now and then with a streetlight.  When we finally arrived, I was very glad that it was the right place and I was looking forward to a bed.

After entering through the house gates, we saw the front yard of quite a large house.  Checking with my friends, I learnt that this was quite a luxurious house for Ghanaian standards.  What I remember most is the humid heat that penetrated every room in the house and made me sweat constantly.
After eating my first Jollof rice, yams and beans and drinking pure water, I collapsed on the bed and fell asleep immediately.