Wednesday, October 30, 2013

I Got a Teacher!

Going into the morning, I did not have a teacher, and I continued to play the waiting game today with a few other teachers. We waited and waited in the school's "Guest Room," on plush blue chairs with "KNUST Basic School" stamped on the legs. In the mean time, we played many mind games and shared a lot of riddles, some visiting adults talked to us about culture and handshakes, and we were invited to the staff breakfast, where we were served tea, bread with jam, and hardboiled eggs.
My friend Erica struggled with
the handshake. It's the one with
a snap at the end like we do at
home.
We continued to wait and wait, and it felt like I was being picked last for a team. Finally, my teacher arrived before her class that begins at 1:30, which is her only class of the day. Her name is Diana, and I was elated to meet her and the 8th grade students I will be teaching. Some teachers have the misconception that we are going into their classrooms to see what they are doing wrong and to implement our system, so I explained how excited I am to learn from her, the school, and the culture of her country. I have only seen one class, so I cannot fully comment on what goes on in the classroom, but it is certainly evident that all of the kids were thrilled to see me. Students offered to carry my backpack into the classroom, and made sure I had a book opened up to the page they were reading from. There is so much that is different when comparing the classroom culture of the United States and that of Ghana, so I will save it for another day and for once I fully understand.

Some of the best news of the day is that I found a place to get egg sandwiches. On the campus of the Junior High School I teach at, there is a group of little stands that have all different foods to buy. This is called the "canteen" and serves as the student's cafeteria. The sandwich was so good, and included some vegetables (no, not bacon), and a hot pepper sauce. The roll was heated up on the pan as well, and smushed down to absorb all of the juices. The best part? This sandwich cost me 1 cedi, which loosely translates to about 45 cents.
These ladies will become
my friends.
Now that I found this out, the "obolo" thing might last a little longer. To counteract the egg sandwich, I went to a market and bought a fresh pineapple and some oranges. Next to that stand in the market is a group of people who make sandals that look a lot like Birkenstock sandals. From what I could tell, they cut the leather themselves, and created the corked bottom. I am probably going to have them make me a pair because my feet get really warm in dress shoes all day long.

1 comment:

  1. Hello my friend! Another awesome story..i think it is soooo awesome what u r doing so proud of u! I look forward to reading ur blogs everyday so keep them coming😊y "obolo" friend! I would like a pair of those sandals size 9 I have obolo feet so wide please😄😄😄love ya , momma cosby

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