The past week has been a blur. Time is going so fast and I can't seem to do anything about it. At the beginning of this week, we were sailing on the open seas from Sierra Leone to Ghana. This was quite an adventure because I have never sailed before. Walking down the hallway in a straight line was nearly impossible. There were a few meals where we had to hold onto our plates because they would slide off the table if we didn't! And at night you would hear odd sounds from things in the cabin that were rolling around. Someone described sailing as "being on a roller coaster you can't get off of" and I agree! Thankfully it only lasted for 5 days. In the middle of the sail, we spent almost a whole day stopped because we received fuel from an oil tanker. This was the first time this method has been used for the Africa Mercy, so our captain was quite nervous. However, the fueling went well, even though it lasted 15 hours. The sea life was spectacular - we saw many flying fish, whales, hundreds of dolphins, and jellyfish. I did not sea a shark, and that was fine with me. :)
Whale sighting!!! haha...that's me near the middle in a lime green shirt. We spent hours every day hanging out on the bow of the ship.
Whale sighting!!! haha...that's me near the middle in a lime green shirt. We spent hours every day hanging out on the bow of the ship.
We arrived in Tema, Ghana, which is beside the capital, Accra, on Thursday around noon. The captain notified us via the intercom that we were getting close to the "pilot station" where we would pick up the pilot to bring us safely into port. We quickly went out to top deck where we had a good view. After a few minutes, the Tema coastline appeared out of the morning haze. Even from a distance, I could see that this port was MUCH larger and developed than the one in Freetown. I was expecting to see beautiful rolling mountains like the ones in Freetown, but instead saw only flat land. We slowly drifted into the port, and saw a small group that was waiting to welcome us!
The sign said "Akwaaba" which means welcome!
It was so cool to arrive in the port and be welcomed by locals and the Advance Team that went before the ship. As we waved from the deck, I recognized Erica, a previous roommate of mine, and several other friends. The group began to sing praise songs and dance. It was a wonderful day! As normal activity resumed on the ship, it was amazing to feel the morale boost from arriving in a more developed port.
On Saturday, I ventured into Accra with Maree and Dorike. We took a tro-tro (they were called poda-podas in Freetown) into the city. This was our first time seeing Accra, so we had no idea what to expect. I had heard that Ghana is one of the most developed countries in Africa, so coming to Freetown here was a bit of a shock. I am so thankful that I was able to be here for a week before going home. Maree and I felt so ridiculous in the tro-tro because we were constantly pointing at things like traffic lights, hotels, and luxurious homes in amazement, which was the opposite of what usually happens when foreigners come to Africa. If I had come to Ghana before Freetown, I would've been shocked by the poverty that is here, but instead I am so amazed by the wealth. In Freetown, there were VERY few displays of wealth (such as homes or cars). Here I've seen brand new cars (BMW's and Mercedes) and huge, sprawling subdivisions of homes. There is still poverty here, but it isn't as obvious as in Freetown. I'm so glad I was able to visit Ghana for a short time. I realize that if I had gone directly home from Freetown, that would be my only experience and view of Africa. While I loved Freetown in many ways, at times I felt hopeless because there is SO much work to be done there. So it was nice to come to Accra and see that not all of Africa is like Sierra Leone.
Independance Arch in downtown Accra.
A few hours later...second coconuts!
A vendor selling street meat. Yum!
As you can tell, instead of eating a proper meal at a restaurant, we chose to eat random items from the market. I am so glad we did - the experience was more fun, and I learned much about the local culture. It was interesting to note the similarities and differences between here and Sierra Leone. Although there's a lot of poverty here, it doesn't come close to Freetown. Also, Ghana has never had a civil war, while Sierra Leone has. I have even noticed a difference in the people's attitudes. While walking through the market here, people didn't yell at us to come buy from them, and I nobody asked for money. Also, since Accra is a slightly touristy place, the locals are used to seeing foreigners. It was nice to not be the center of attention while walking down the road, and not have people yelling "opatu!" at you. Well, in Ghana they say "obruni" but they would just say it to us, not yell it.
On Sunday, one hundred crew members were invited to visit a church in Accra. As we pulled up to it, I couldn't believe my eyes. After going to many churches in Sierra Leone that had dirt floors, wooden benches, and no AC, this was a shock. Having a building that is so expensive just strikes me as entirely unnecessary now. The best worship services I attended were at churches that had nothing, yet they chose to praise God anyway.
Joyce and Comfort on the left are good friends of mine, then us five on the right are roomies! Love these ladies.
After church we were invited to the home of a woman from the church. Lunch was catered and she told us to relax and enjoy our time off the ship. We really appreciated her hospitality.
Well, flight for tonight was postponed until tomorrow morning. I will be flying directly to DC, then going home by train the next day. I will write again soon about leaving the ship.
God bless!
The sign said "Akwaaba" which means welcome!
It was so cool to arrive in the port and be welcomed by locals and the Advance Team that went before the ship. As we waved from the deck, I recognized Erica, a previous roommate of mine, and several other friends. The group began to sing praise songs and dance. It was a wonderful day! As normal activity resumed on the ship, it was amazing to feel the morale boost from arriving in a more developed port.
On Saturday, I ventured into Accra with Maree and Dorike. We took a tro-tro (they were called poda-podas in Freetown) into the city. This was our first time seeing Accra, so we had no idea what to expect. I had heard that Ghana is one of the most developed countries in Africa, so coming to Freetown here was a bit of a shock. I am so thankful that I was able to be here for a week before going home. Maree and I felt so ridiculous in the tro-tro because we were constantly pointing at things like traffic lights, hotels, and luxurious homes in amazement, which was the opposite of what usually happens when foreigners come to Africa. If I had come to Ghana before Freetown, I would've been shocked by the poverty that is here, but instead I am so amazed by the wealth. In Freetown, there were VERY few displays of wealth (such as homes or cars). Here I've seen brand new cars (BMW's and Mercedes) and huge, sprawling subdivisions of homes. There is still poverty here, but it isn't as obvious as in Freetown. I'm so glad I was able to visit Ghana for a short time. I realize that if I had gone directly home from Freetown, that would be my only experience and view of Africa. While I loved Freetown in many ways, at times I felt hopeless because there is SO much work to be done there. So it was nice to come to Accra and see that not all of Africa is like Sierra Leone.
Independance Arch in downtown Accra.
There is nothing as refreshing as coconut water on a hot day. It is so amazing to watch how quickly he cuts the top off with his machete. Then after you have drunk it all, you hand it back to him to chop open and scoop out the meat.
First coconuts.
A vendor selling street meat. Yum!
We bought a mango from this woman, who cut it up and bagged it for us. It was so juicy and delicious.
As you can tell, instead of eating a proper meal at a restaurant, we chose to eat random items from the market. I am so glad we did - the experience was more fun, and I learned much about the local culture. It was interesting to note the similarities and differences between here and Sierra Leone. Although there's a lot of poverty here, it doesn't come close to Freetown. Also, Ghana has never had a civil war, while Sierra Leone has. I have even noticed a difference in the people's attitudes. While walking through the market here, people didn't yell at us to come buy from them, and I nobody asked for money. Also, since Accra is a slightly touristy place, the locals are used to seeing foreigners. It was nice to not be the center of attention while walking down the road, and not have people yelling "opatu!" at you. Well, in Ghana they say "obruni" but they would just say it to us, not yell it.
On Sunday, one hundred crew members were invited to visit a church in Accra. As we pulled up to it, I couldn't believe my eyes. After going to many churches in Sierra Leone that had dirt floors, wooden benches, and no AC, this was a shock. Having a building that is so expensive just strikes me as entirely unnecessary now. The best worship services I attended were at churches that had nothing, yet they chose to praise God anyway.
Joyce and Comfort on the left are good friends of mine, then us five on the right are roomies! Love these ladies.
After church we were invited to the home of a woman from the church. Lunch was catered and she told us to relax and enjoy our time off the ship. We really appreciated her hospitality.
Well, flight for tonight was postponed until tomorrow morning. I will be flying directly to DC, then going home by train the next day. I will write again soon about leaving the ship.
God bless!
No comments:
Post a Comment