Running water (and other luxuries) (March 1)

I was awakened from my mid-morning nap (yes, mid-morning) with resounding cries of ‘the taps are flowing!!’
In a mad dash I headed towards sounds of splattering water. The first shower sputtered & choked; still hopeful I ran to the next floor where I definitely heard flowing water.

Another wonderful cold shower. And I don’t say it sarcastically. The power & water have been especially problematic the last couple of weeks. It’s interesting – the things that would halt our days at home don’t receive the bat of an eyelid here. Electricity goes out during class – no problem. The fan is usually turned off at the start of lecture anyway, because someone is cold. I, however, am normally hot as balls, disgusted by the sweat rolling off my back and the pool forming just below my boobs.
No consensus is needed. He who acts first makes the decisions. The fan stays off.

The professor can continue without PowerPoint and the class manages to follow along just by listening! In the US if the professor attempts to move forward without visual aids the class revolts. We can’t be expected to learn if not entertained, right?

No running water? Grab a bucket and get in line at the water spicket. That’s not an excuse for skipping lecture or work.

When it rains however, rumor is most professors don’t even show for lecture. Unfortunately, the only time it rained I didn’t have class.

I didn’t come here for things to go smoothly, hence the name of this blog ‘misadventures’. If everything was easy I would have too much time to drink.

So this post is for my dad, who called me after reading the last post, worried about my physical & mental health. When he called I was lounging in a nice air-conditioned house with running water, a backup generator, fast internet & mindless television. My friend Jenn has family contacts in Accra – a few pilots who fly for major companies in Africa. They tell us to pop in at any time and urge us to eat home cooked meals and lounge all weekend. (By the way Dad, they fly a King Air 350 & 200 if that makes sense)

His call nearly brought me to tears – not because he cares, I already knew that, but because I realized I’ve probably worried a few people. This post is for anyone that has worried. I won’t tell another story about why Africa has been coined ‘The White Man’s Grave’. I won’t bitch about spending most of my time waiting because no processes seem to be in place. I won’t mention how mid-morning naps are absolutely justified after my 7:30-9:30 am class. (ok, I crossed my fingers) I’ve focused on these things not just because they happen, but because it’s more entertaining than when things go well. Who wants to watch a show about someone’s perfect life? Unless it’s on E! TV…

I’ve mentioned that I enjoy Ghana, but hate Accra. If it was that terrible I would leave, so here’s why I’m staying:

Plantain chips & fresh guacamole
Full meals for less than $1
Big bottles of beer for $1.50
Beaches
Mid-morning naps
Mid-afternoon naps
70% is an A
No one laughs when I sweat profusely
Zero to walking out the door (including shower) in 10 minutes
People still ask me to marry them despite deformities on my face
I always have a good excuse for skipping lecture. (No faking the doctor’s notes)
Lots of time to read
Playing Frisbee
Egg sandwiches
All-you-can-drink nights at Champ’s (X that one out…)
Fresh pineapple for <$1

Besides, if nothing went wrong I’d complain about boredom and then I couldn’t blame anyone else.

I’ve also had inquiries about classes – yes, I have them.
I’m taking:
Monetary Theory, Int’l Banking & Finance, Int’l Marketing, Drumming, Traditional African Dance, & Twi (language).

Each lecture is two hours long and two of my classes also have 1-hour tutorials each week. Sixteen hours a week in the classroom, thousands (it seems) free to find ways to fill free time.
I only have a slight issue with one professor – the rest are respectful and interested in why I’m here. I’m growing accustomed to the style of lecture – at home it’s fast-paced, here it’s more recreational. A little more joking & laughing, less complaining from students, and no homework. Grades are determined by one exam at the end of the semester. That is why 70% is an A. They aren’t necessarily easy, but most of the challenge is in self-motivation. Professors don’t take attendance (although it’s easy to tell when I’m missing) and don’t assign work to keep us on track. I don’t think I’ve ever taken a comprehensive final, and am realizing now I should’ve checked the ‘70% piece of cake’ attitude at Immigrations.