5 Months In - What is Ghana?

Just today I got a WhatsApp message asking me 'How is life in Ghana?'  This is a question I get asked a lot by friends and family back home.  But ‘how is life in Ghana’ is a question I am still grappling with myself.  Beyond the wide range and rollercoaster of emotions you can go through in one day (from being deliriously happy at making a new friend or learning some Twi, to feeling like crying at your desk when nothing quite goes to plan, or often spectacularly off plan...) But it is just hard to sum up how life is on a daily basis, what do you see, who do you speak to, what are the challenges, what makes you laugh.  So here is a selection of photos from the past month to give some Ghanaian flavour!

 Ghanaian signs are great!  After climbing the largest hill around (it was sweaty) we were greeted by a sign at the top informing us all we needed to get fit was some pineapple and watermelon juice.  Duh!  We have been doing it wrong all this time...

 

Although apparently cat and goat are also a good combination, as offered at the chop bar near my office.  Don't be confused, chop bars have nothing to do with chops...

 

 

On the topic of food - COCKROACHES.  They love our apartment block, and they really really love our neighbour's kitchen.  After seeing around 100 of the little blighters in on his floor we decided to get the full exterminator kit out (improvisation with tea towels) and blitz the place.  I still think the cockroaches might have one over us though.

Cycling fashion has hit Accra!  Who knew you could pick up such a stylish piece of kit.  Surrey hills watch out.

 And the style continues in the office - Xavier's birthday present was a local made shirt for traditional Friday.  When in Africa!

 

Ghana can be full of surprises - some of them good ones such as a guy selling cinnamon croissants on the beach - yummy!  And yes, life in Accra means being an hour away from some beautiful beaches, bonus!