So today I had a good day. Like a really great day. Usually I don’t blog about everyday things but I felt as if this could be an exception. This morning I woke up and we lost power. It was gone until about 4:30 and left around noon. So, approximately for four and a half hours. Luckily, I got water boiled for my coffee before this whole charade happened. Sama and I decided to clean our room. We swept, mopped, wiped down the screens, the windows, I cleaned my closet, the bathroom, we even wiped down the counters and the fridge. Amazing! My mom’s cleaning has actually rubbed off on me. It was actually really fun because It was the first time Sama and I have had to just chill and joke around. She is actually the best roommate I could have asked for. And all day I was in gym shorts, a tank, and a headband. No makeup, no nothing. It felt great to just be hanging out in the room. FYI, we didn’t have classes today because it is Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday. I have mentioned this name before, but he was the first president in Ghana, and the man who basically led this country to independence. So, in other words, a huge deal.
Anyway, after cleaning, I went downstairs and grabbed us sodas, and got some pasta delivered to my room (yes you can have food delivered to your room! Kind of cool. I think Muhlenberg should pick that up.) We ended up just chilling out on our porch and enjoying the sun while we swapped stories about school. She is in a sorority at her college-Clark Atlanta University. Its ridiculous to hear how much more intense greek life is in the south. Holy crap. We discussed getting paints for our room so we can write quotes and do some doodles. Here we are allowed to paint the walls and do whatever we want. I personally want watercolors so I can try my hand at creating a mural next to my bed. We also have a wooden wall divider and want to decorate it with some fake flowers. Our room is so decked out. I love it.
We then went to Maxmart for some groceries with Camille (Sama’s other half). We actually got really lucky because for some reason a new Maxmart just opened across the street from us and it is BEAUTIFUL. They have a coffee shop and I almost fainted. But, my reaction to seeing coldcut turkey slices was probably the most priceless moment. I actually got down on my knees and started hyperventilating. Haha. For those who don’t know, I am hopelessly addicted to turkey sandwiches at home. I have one everyday without fail. Either that, or a chicken wrap. Both are practically delicacies here. When you do find them, they are likely to not uphold the American standard either. Such a bummer. But I decided that one day I will splurge and get the turkey slices for 12 cedi. Its worth it. I also found mini wheats and had another little episode of happiness. I gave in to that temptation…
Anyway, I got back to the room and we found that our power was back on and I got so excited to charge my laptop. Its pretty funny how disabled you feel without power. This has been probably the sixth time its gone out so far (all congregated in the last three weeks) and its been getting more frequent the longer we’ve been here. I’m scared to see what lies ahead. I love how excited I get when it comes back on though. Its like finding money in the laundry. It’s such a treat. It felt so nice to have the privilege to charge my laptop and phone. You have no idea.
I made egg salad tonight. I can’t believe I actually made something. Like I even boiled the eggs, diced green pepper and onion, etc. It tasted pretty good, but it needed pepper and celery salt…I might have to invest in some. I also got materials to make potato salad. So pumped. You feel so accomplished when you make food here. However, I started feeling kind of sick today…weird stomach stuff. I didn’t actually get sick but I felt really unsettled. Headache, the whole works. So while Sama hosted a mini dinner party in our room, I passed out on my bed. I bet I looked super attractive. I feel asleep with my feet hanging off of the bed because I didn’t want to get dirt on my sheets. Haha I am so conscious of being clean now. Even though I hardly feel clean. It was a really great day of relaxation. I think I finally understood how a day should feel like in Ghana. Relaxed.
Kim was telling me something Joe said while observing her blog. “It seems like it’s so hard to live”. There’s actually no better way of putting it. It’s hard to live in Ghana because of all the little quirks it has. It’s hard. But I love my room. I love feeling independent (for the most part) and I love the feeling of being in control. I don’t really know what people do in Italy and London besides see shows and learn how to do a headstand. I get to learn how to live differently. It’s pretty cool when you think of it in that way, huh?
Tonight I also had an unfortunate experience. I am prefacing this by saying that the reason I blogged today was mainly because of this and even though its kind of creepy and scary, I think its necessary to paint the picture of what can sometimes happen here. I was in my room watching Pride and Prejudice (my comfort movie) and I wasn’t aware of one of my windows being still open. I was too absorbed in the movie to notice that a man was looking in and watching me (Mind you, I am in my pajamas, meaning little to no clothes considering how freaking hot it is here). He knocked on my door and asked for a light. I told him no, sorry and he left. He then came back and started talking to me through the window about how he wanted to come in and have a blunt with me. I told him I didn’t smoke. He then continued to tell me that he wanted to come in and have a conversation. After I told him there was no way I would let him in my room simply because I had no idea who he was, he insisted we have a conversation through the window. I told him no thank you and paused the movie to go put my laundry outside to dry on my balcony. I slammed the balcony door hoping he would get the idea. However, I soon discovered he had gone out onto the walkway to see me from the balcony and attempted to continue our “conversation”. I gave him one word answers and then went back inside. Of course, he then came back to my window and started talking about how I had the “cutest ass” (sorry for the language mom and dad) he had ever seen. I pretended not to have heard him and told him to go away. I went over to my door and bolted it twice.
He followed me back onto the balcony side once again, and this time I completely ignored him. I walked back in turned on my music very loud and ignored him again when he came back around. I thought I had finally gotten rid of him until twenty minutes later he knocked on my door AGAIN (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) and tried to talk to me again. “Hey, I don’t understand why you won’t have a conversation with me”. I replied, “This is called stalking”. And then I just started yelling. “I did not ask to be hit on right now, Go away. Go, I don’t want you here.” Finally, after he got offended at my yelling, he left. I actually could not believe it. Even in my room I am not safe from Ghanaian men.
I just thought that these experiences are valuable because even though they are infuriating, I learned something. Ignore ignore ignore. As Kim says, “turn the light off”. Of course, being me, this is hard. I am awful at saying no and always feel bad because I don’t want to hurt feelings. Ghana is curing me of this particular sentiment I used to hold dear to my heart in America. I think it’s a good thing. I know I’ve been told I need to work on it. Perhaps this is the reason I am here. Haha. I also learned to always have the window slats closed. Anyway, I still have to update the blog from last night. Kim and I went to a Trey Songz concert with two other people from our program. It was a pretty amazing night, so that post will be coming soon. I just had to get this day off my chest. Tomorrow I visit the seamstress and get to have some clothing made specifically for me! I plan to get a strapless top, a dress, a blazer, and a few other choice items. Can’t wait to wear them in America :)
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