T.I.A. - This is Africa

This is Africa we sometimes say. Every day is not an exciting adventure, especially in Accra. I despise Accra. I’ve always wanted to live in a big city because of its movement. Accra does move, but nothing really seems to get done. The infrastructure of the city is poor at best which makes movement difficult.

Most days after the morning frustrations I’m ready to retreat to my room to be idle, which is unlike me in this amount. All I want is to have a cold beer and escape the heat, vendors, and calls of “Obruni!” Yes, I am white. Congratulations for spotting Waldo.

Today, sitting on the balcony overlooking construction that seems to exist only to provide jobs, my skunky beer – Star, proud product of Ghana – is warm; another power outage. I forget to report the frequent periods without power and water because TIA – it happens and you move on.

I have a very strange and disgusting rash along the outside of my right foot. I consulted the best medical professionals, my friends, and they said TIA “Deal with it when you get home. Just don’t touch me with it.”

The fan in my room doesn’t work anyway so I wasn’t any hotter than normal. It moves but, like the construction outside, doesn’t do much.

I had to get up and do something before my journaling prompted me to take action. My current entries question the value of a degree, preferring to make a bold statement by saying screw it – I have three classes left, I’ve proven myself in someone else’s goal and I’m ready to let my mind have the freedom to decide the question of success on its own and by its own means. No Mom, I haven’t touched the peace pipe; just frustrations of idealism and naivety that plague every young mind.

I went to the mall and bought a fan and a pillow. It’s time to get comfortable – I’ve realized I’m gonna be here awhile. Perhaps I wasn’t in the best state of mind for this shopping trip. The small fan was US$50 – TIA, screw it. I’m quite satisfied despite the expense. My little haven is great, when the power is on, but doesn’t help my idleness.

“The devil finds employment for the idle.” Henry David Thoreau

That was Tuesday night. A few other girls were satisfied with the week’s frustrations too, so we decided to set out for Cote D’Ivoire the next day after classes. We had a guidebook and so a plan. They speak un peu French and I speak Spanish, perfect.