Do Not Be Alarmed!

This was originally meant to be a sort of cautionary email to Janers (mom), in preparation for her visit to Ghana next year. But then I thought, well, Eileen (David's mom) is also visiting next year; she too might want to read this. Then I thought, well, the whole Mooney family should also probably have a look at it.. So then I just decided I would post it on my blog, thereby making it available to everyone! Here it is.

Things occur here in Ghana, which, by American standards, would be perceived as odd or even shocking. By Ghanaian standards, however, these occurrences are nothing more or less than normal. Here are some things you should be prepared to encounter. Do not be alarmed by the following...

Someone petting your arm. Your white skin is different and weird. It's not rudeness, it's just curiosity.

A man exposing himself to take a pee on the side of the road. It happens all the time and is considered totally acceptable public behavior.

People staring at you. You might be the first white person they've ever seen in real life!

Children saying/singing/yelling “Obruni” around you. It just means white person. They will be so happy if you just wave or smile at them!

Diarrhea. Ugh.

Church. People will cry, laugh, dance, fall to their knees, lay on the ground, roll around, speak/ yell in tongues, scream, bang their fists on the walls/ pews/ ground, or any number of other symptoms of hysteria.

Breasts. Women will breast feed openly and at anytime: on the bus, in church, on the street, while cooking dinner, in the market, or anywhere else the baby is hungry.

Policemen with big guns stopping your vehicle. The police do routine “customs checks” at the borders of districts and regions. If your driver hands the policeman some money then continues through, it is payoff. It happens.

Physical punishment. If a child misbehaves, sometimes he/she will be caned or otherwise beaten. The cane is just a long thin tree branch. It is just part of life here.

The amount of oil in/ on your food. Just know that Ghanaian foods are generally very oily.

The crappy-ness of the vehicle you're in. Yes, it is a tad woebegone, but yes, it will get you there!

Chaos. Tro stations, markets, and cities appear to be in a constant state of incredible chaos at all times.

People asking for money. Because of the media and rich tourists, some Ghanaians assume that Americans are loaded and ready to pass out the bills.

People trying to overcharge you. Again, it is because you are white. If you are aware that it is happening, don't allow them to charge you more. Insist on the correct amount.

Smells. Some places are really stinky.

Animals. Goats, sheeps, and pigs are everywhere. There will be one in or on top your tro at some point.

Yelling. It seems like people do a lot of yelling here. You might think someone is angrily shouting at you,but in actuality, they are just saying hello or asking where you're going.

Gigantic scary machetes. Everyone has one, and it is just their lawn mower. And tiller. And tractor. And axe. And shovel. And scythe. And butcher knife.