Another (mis)Adventure in Ghana

We've been MIA for a few days, but not without due cause. Michelle Henry and John Donovan graced us with their presence last Wednesday and we set forth on another (mis)adventure around this crazy world called Ghana.

Michelle and John are from the NYC. Let's start with that. And let's finish by saying things in Ghana move slowly. Like, three-toed sloth slowly. So Michelle and John, leave the NYC pace at home and embrace this new world where no decision can be made in less than an hour. Welcome to Ghana.

And so they arrived.

And we didn't waste any time in immersing them into our new world. We planned their trip - off to the wild wild west (Will Smith anyone?). We'll start in Cape Coast, explore Kakum National Park and Elmina Castle and then head farther West to relax by the sea at the Green Turtle Lodge (http://www.greenturtlelodge.com/).

Welcome misadventure numero uno. It rained. It monsooned. For two solid hours we waited at a tro-tro station (which turned out to be the wrong tro-tro station) for a bus to Cape Coast. My non-waterproof backpack happily soaked up the wetness and left me with damp clothes all week. Stinky stink stinky (hefty hefty hefty). We were teased by the locals. And they didn't understand why I didn't need (or want) a hairnet. Haha.

Welcome misadventure numero dos. After finally making a decision (on Ghanaian time obviously) we flagged down a taxi and arrived at the appropriate station. We jumped on a bus to Cape Coast. And for the first time ever, the bus was air conditioned. Oh my. Here we were, a wet mess, looking forward to a sweaty bus ride, but oh no, we had to find a cold bus. Great. And to top it off, we had a preacher on the bus. Michelle and John had seats in the front and I was in the back. The preacher was standing right next to them. He was enthusiastic to say the least. He was speaking Twi, but just about every other word was Jesus or Devil. And after an hour of this (our two hour journey took a solid five hours) they put in a movie. What movie? I have no idea. But in case you were partially deaf they turned the volume up so loud that the speakers became Charlie Brown's teacher. Great. Some Asian blood and guts ninja movie that sounds like 'waa waa waa waa.' And in case you slept through it the first time, they played it twice more. I believe this is the point when John decided this trip was a mistake. But don't worry, the story has a happy ending.

But first, misadventure numero tres. The driver passed our stop. He drove right through Cape Coast. We realized this, but we're not in America. There's no turning around. There's no stopping now because we would be homeless in Africa. Not too good. But maybe I'd find a black mamba to snuggle with.

And so we sat on that freezing cold Asian ninja movie bus for another two hours and landed in Tacoradi. Michelle made friends with a local who graciously took us to a hotel. We passed out. I woke Michelle and John up with bread and water (sorry for the disappointing breakfast John aka Cinderella) and we reevaluated. We were now almost to Green Turtle, so we decided just to continue on. After catching (the right) series of tro-tros we arrived. It was paradise. A pristine beach dotted with palm trees and pink huts. And Star beers (40 oz of course) for $2.50. Paradise. Here's when Michelle and John finally started enjoying themselves. And I enjoyed this.

And there we were, finally. Beachfront property. We played in the ocean. We canoed through a mangrove forest. We saw toucans (toucans!). I adopted two snails and affectionately named them Barack and Michelle (tribute to Stan for that idea) and let them slime their way around my canoe seat (slimey little boogers). Michelle has the beautiful photos from this and I'll get a link up soon. We also explored a local village. It's surreal - the stark contrast between the pristine beach and the primitive village. It's magical. Africa is a magical place.

And I'd be lying if I stopped there. You see, at Green Turtle, you keep a running tally of your food and drinks and pay at the end. Room charge = Lael's BFF. And beer, good ol Star Beer, all 40 oz of it, is only $2.50 (and that's in Ghana Cedis). Oh, dear. (I did have a bar tab close to $40 after two days.) To add to this problem, we made friends from Amsterdam. Trip and Marlin. And we made friends with some Canadians and a few Ghanaians. And John decided to teach them how to play UNO ala Stieglitz family style (aka you draw = you drink, you cheat = you sing a song on the table). If you play cards with me you know I cheat, not in a mean way, but in a 'I always know what cards you have in your hand because I have wandering eyes' way. So I was busted. I sang Happy Birthday, Michelle and I sang Pi Pi ADPi, and David sang Canada's National Anthem. Stop here - David sang Canada's national anthem - what?!?! We also heard many a Dutch song and a few improv numbers from John (who still swears to his innocence).

Oh, and I'd be an awful blogger if I didn't mention misadventure numero quatro. This is best captured by photos, but those are on Michelle's camera.

Michelle was the only one (of the five of us) who brought soap and shampoo. I mean, come on, we're in Africa, who uses soap? So I decided I'd shower with her so we could share the goods. We are staying at Green Turtle, and it is community showers and bathrooms. So there was no escaping the wrath of John. He heard the words 'Michelle we can just shower together' and he threw on his speedo and invited himself in. Yes, we were all in bathing suits, and yes there are images worthy of lifelong blackmail. If you're lucky you'll see some, because they are hysterical. But then again, what happens at Green Turtle stays at Green Turtle (or is that Las Vegas?).

And so, after enjoying some more rays and yummy meals we packed up and ventured into Cape Coast. We toured Elmina Castle, the major hub of slave trade servicing the Caribbean and the Americas, and Kakum National Park where we walked the rainforest canopy. David will update you on these, so hold tight. We're at the mercy of the internet, which in turn is at the mercy of electricity, which is never predictable. And so you shall wait patiently. But in the meantime, enjoy the following images from our Super Model Documentary Hour (Superstar anyone?!).