Ghana Memories Poem

Experiences from trip in May 2008
By Dave, Liz, Fran, Alan, Nancy, Jared, Jolene (compiled by Fran)

We remember

Sounds . . .

. . . the thump-thump from the Oduro kitchen of fufu being pounded
. . . political speeches and loud music blaring from taxis and buses
. . .the Twi language
(especially). . .the greeting "akwaaba"
. . .people talking and singing
. . .people praying out loud all at one time
. . .bongo drums and clapping hands in worship
. . . the singing and crowing of birds
. . .(especially) the rooster crowing at 3 a.m. and again at 5 a.m.
. . .short and long honking of horns
. . .calls to prayer from mosques
. . .musical voices
(especially) . . .the beautiful harmonies of the song which greeted our arrival at the Guest House giving praise to the "lamb of God."
. . .Fran asking where something was at in the kitchen
. . .laughter from both dorms in the evenings
. . . the sizzle of oil when deep-frying plantains
. . .the waves beating the shore by the castle at Cape Coast
. . .the whirring of the fans and the hum of the air conditioners in the Guest House
. . .pens writing in notebooks during Thomas's class lecture (Rev. Thomas Oduro)
. . .rain on a tin roof
. . .children playing
. . .spicy stews from chicken and beef
. . .the refreshment of pure water
. . .mango cobbler
. . .the spicy sourness of millet porridge
. . .fufu
. . .the strong, deep, sweet flavor of Malta Guiness (Note: a strong malt-flavored beverage popular in Ghana)
. . .cup of hot "Milo" (very good)
. . .sweet bread
. . .rice in many forms
. . .the pepperiness of shito (Note: a hot pepper sauce from oil, dried red pepper, dried shrimps and dried fish)
. . ."real" fresh tomatoes
. . .the flavor of plantain chips fried in oil
(.especially). . .when bought on the street through the bus window)
. . .fruits-exotic and succulent, sweet and sensuous-mangoes, papaya, pineapple and avocado
. . .fried plantains and yam chips
. . .fried .green plantains (chips) and ripe ones (kelewele)
. . .deep fried yams

Smells. . .

. . .the sweaty bodies (including mine) when riding the tro-tro to town on a hot sunny day
. . .bodies-wilting and wet with sweat
. . .my own sweat
. . .smells from Fran's cooking in the kitchen
. . .Ghanaian food from the kitchen thanks to Fran
. . .the smell of clean air after a short rain shower
. . .refreshing smell after the rain
. . .the fragrance after the rain
. . .the air after the rain
. . .the salt breezes at Cape Coast
. . .marketplace grills
. . .food cooking along the road
. . .charcoal burning
. . .spices at the Botanical Garden (Aburi) and in the marketplace (Makola)
. . .ripe mango
. . .dessert out of the oven-apple and mango cobblers (very good)
. . .rotten fruit
. . .exhaust fumes
. . .exhaust fumes
. . .smoke from tires
. . .fresh ground spices-nutmeg and cinnamon
. . .fish frying
. . .open sewers
. . .rotting garbage along streets and in the market place
. . .driving back from Cape Coast-in city yet smell of sewage
. . .garbage
. . .the musty smell of the death cells at the slave castle at Cape Coast
. . .smoked fish in the market
. . .fish in the market (not so good)
. . .lamb that went bad when the refrigerator broke down
. . .dorms smelling like dorms at EMU
. . .smell of soap after a cold shower needed from the hot day
. . .fresh smell of soap when washing out clothes
. . .musty smell when I first came but don't notice anymore

Touch. . .

. . .the first Sunday evening at worship. Edgar broke the ice as awkwardness was present by coming around and shaking our hands.
. . .bumping along in the van or taxi on roads not yet repaired from the rain
. . .the cool morning air when jogging before sunup.
. . .the hand of friendship when greeting guests
. . .firm handshakes with calloused hands
. . .firm and new handshake I learned
. . .shaking people's hands
. . .picking flowers for vases
. . .gold leaves on tile wall in Barbara's washroom at Flair Catering
. . .friendly handshake from Good New students and faculty
. . .cold water showers-exhilarating, refreshing, chilling
. . .cold showers
. . .clothing soaked and clinging with sweat
. . .the cook sticky juice of a mango running down my hands and wrist
. . .slimy, sticky mangos
. . .mango juice dripping down my hand
. . .the embrace of welcome, friendship and farewell
. . . bouncing and jarring over half-constructed roads
. . .bumpy roads
. . .the slipperiness of fresh okra
. . .the feeling of fufu when you cut off a piece with your fingers and the way it feels when you swallow it without chewing
. . .touching fufu when ready to eat using your hands
. . .the feeling of cotton cloth against my skin when putting on a Ghanaian-style skirt and top
. . .the textures of cloth in Makola market when deciding what to buy
. . .the mosquito netting over my bed brushing against me at night
. . .mosquito netting every night and morning
. . .thump from pestle while pounding fufu
. . .tears on my cheeks as we parted

Sights. . .

. . .no one smoking in Ghana
. . .a baby being carried on a mother's back
. . .very small huts and not too clean looking
. . .well-dressed on Sunday, beautiful dresses and clothes
. . .warm smiles from the locals
. . .smiles on strangers' faces
. . .children being creative in making their own toys and finding space to play "football" (soccer)
. . .Emilia washing my shoes (when I didn't ask her to)
. . . the scurry of business at the roadside shops. . .
. . .movement of people
. . .masses of people
. . .handmade fishing boats carved from tree trunks
. . .a roomful of enthusiastic 3rd year students at the University of Ghana
. . .cement blocks and half-finished buildings symbolizing what? A failed project or a hopeful beginning?
. . .the beauty of rich black skin tones
. . .fabrics of colors bright and vibrant
. . .the harsh contrasts of poverty and wealth
. . .poverty beyond description
. . .beautiful, green countryside
. . .mango trees, plantations galore
. . .dirty city-trash, trash
. . .dancing, celebration, free worship of God
. . .flower trees of greater beauty than Solomon's robes
. . .congested crowded city streets and sedate, calm village paths
. . .roadside stands selling plastic bags of gari (cassava meal), bottles of red palm oil, and piles of ripe mangoes
. . .people alongside the road trying to make a living
. . .vibrant colors and movement during dancing at times of worship
. . .tro-tros crowded with people
. . .religious signs and symbols
. . .the chapel above the cell blocks that held the slaves at Cape Coast
. . .Cape Coast castle with dungeons and (death) cell and door of no return
. . .interesting signs for business-which had a biblical basis
. . ."Thy will be done" beauty shop
. . .shanty buildings for homes
. . .miles of roadside entrepreneurs
. . .farmers hoeing ground with hand hoes and planting gardens