yowzah!

So it turns out i will remain in the international dorm. Shit! I’m pissed -- but it was fair. We drew from a hat. I’m sort of -- okay totally -- wishing that someone backed out so I can pounce on her spot. The good news is that I will have internet more regularly, I don't need to move, there are several mar kets near by, and the security is better. The bad news is I won't be living in the Ghanaian dorm and my beautiful, independent roomie4lyfe is leaving me. I’m going to miss her but of course am happy for her, and sad to see her big, red hair go. I’ll be living with another UCSC student Chai – she’s originally from Taiwan but has lived in San Diego.

The international dorm is at the edge of campus so I will be joining a sports team to make more Ghanaian friends. I’m thinking cross country...? but who knows how well that will work in this blazing heat. I cannot believe this is the "cold season" and I am sweating buckets constantly. I may

Yesterday ruled. After lectures we took tro-tros to the markets in Medina. tro-tros are the formal/informal public transportation in Ghana. They are vans (mostly Volkswagens) with a driver and a fare collector to call out/signal where they are headed. It costs roughly 25 cents (pesewa) per ride. I grew tired of the annoyingly slow group decision- plus the culmination of heat and unfamiliar smells – so I made my way from the group in search of a surge protector and COFFEE. (the only caffeine I’ve found is instant Nescafe and it is nar-nar!) No luck on coffee but I was able to find a surge protector for $4 (cedis). I rode a tro-tro back to campus all by myself! It was so exciting. I’m learning to hold my own with haggling and navigating the area.

OMG.I shaved my armpits yesterday for the first time in 6 years and it was so sad! My tattoos and body hair are WAY to popular a conversation topic – so I took the reins on the only thing I could. My pits look weird and raw and I hate it, but it’s a small price to pay for this Obruni. (Twi for foreigner)

Last night we went to a fancy nightclub called Aphrodisiac and danced until the wee hours of the morning. This club had AIR CONDITIONING and crazy hip-hop. I loved dancing! There was a good mix of Ghanaians and foreigners there. I’m so tired now. Hopefully I will sleep on the bus to Kumasi.

I met with Professor Irene Odotei (Auntie Irene) today to discuss my independent study. She specializes in gender and HIV in Ghana and published the only book about it. (what are the odds!?) She is our advisor and is absolutely amazing. I am completely in love with everything about her. She suggested I go North to Krobo Odumasi to work with the Queen Mothers –traditional female leaders in Ghana – that have been managing the HIV crisis with orphans and sex workers by combining traditional healing with Western Medicine and testing/counseling preventative efforts. I am thrilled! I am so excited to use a service-learning approach to rural health where African tradition meets modernity. I will be studying in the Social Work Nursing, and Sociology departments. More on this to come…
We are going to Kumasi until Monday and I will be out of contact. I’ll write more when I return.
xo.