The Ghanain Migrash

    Once I decided not to go with Tahlor and Pierce the first day I kind of lost all plans for the second day as well so on Sunday morning I saw Isaac and we agreed we’d do whatever together. Whatever turned into an SAS trip to a traditional drumming circle. I got a ticket from my friend Chris (he decided not to go) while Isaac and Zach (who also came with us) got the benefit of extra spots opening up. While I was originally disappointed that I couldn’t go out with Dada and Isa, it turned into a great day.
    We sat down, got a brief tour, and saw outside some women making cloth. It was actually awesome. They had a plain white sheet, had stencil like devices that they would stick in wax and then place on the sheet and then, once the wax hardened, they would die the sheet and, upon peeling off the wax, have an awesome design. We watched the women doing this for a little bit and then our drum circle began.
Well, kind off. In the beginning it was actually learning a dance. I think that they expected this to be a quick intro but, due to lack of skill on our part, it ended up taking a while. A long while. It reminded me of my first day at Nyack CIT summer trying to learn all those dances. The steps seemed so simple, but put them together and, man, it was tough.
    After practicing for about an hour and a half, and dripping through a shirt and a half, they gave us a “5 minute water break.” However, once they saw that none of us could move the program shifted slightly and they brought us fruit (little bananas, coconuts and mango (I don’t think I’ve ever had one before)). After the fruit, still physically unable to move our legs, they brought out the drums and taught us how to play. Interestingly they actually use drum sticks on bongos and it makes a cool sound. Some people chimed in with cow bell, and I added my part by shaking some morocco like instrument.
    The music went on for a while and once it was done we had lunch and preformed our dance. We had split into 2 groups and unfortunately for me, the other group was awesome. Ours, well, it wasn’t. They had to stop us midway. It was still fun. As was the final dance they taught us before giving us a performance of their own.
    The trip ended later than expected but it was more than ok because we were having a blast. On the way back we were making good time, until our bus backed into a truck while maneuvering its way through the industrial port. From there, were we could see the ship, it took an extra 30 minutes. Whatever it was kind of funny and no one was hurt. On the ship we showered, had dinner, and took the 8pm shuttle to Accra. We went to some outdoor bar, got interviewed by a Nigerian news station—no, I am not kidding and yes, I did claim I was from South Africa visiting Ghana for a dance recital, and took the 11pm shuttle home. Well, just like South Africa Ghana was pitching a perfect game through 2, but unlike CC and SA Ghana didn’t give it up. Keep reading to learn more about how Ghana is like David Wells.