Yesterday was our CIEE trip to Aburi. First, we went to a bead-making village and saw how they make glass beads. This involves smashing glass bottles into powder and mixing the glass powder with powder dye. The powder is put into a mold and then into an oven. Once cool, the beads are hand-painted.
Our second stop was at a wood-carving village, which had about 600 people carving and selling items. It was really cool, but very overwhelming with everyone trying to get you to come into their little stalls to look at/buy the carved things. Each one kind of had the same stuff, and there were just so many of them.
The final stop was the Aburi Botanical Gardens. It was such a relaxing place with amazing, huge trees. There were all kinds of plants and trees that I've never seen before. Our guide told us what that each were and the purpose they each served. There was a cinnamon tree and and all-spice tree and they smelled great. There were these little fern-like things in the grass that close up their leaves when you touch them.
Overall, it was a very fun trip, and I'd really like to go back to the gardens. We just didn't get as much time to relax as I would have liked because we had to be back in time for an event for international students on campus with dinner and performances. I had a very full day yesterday, but it was nice. Today is Sunday, and so it is a very lazy day... very little is open and most people were in church all morning. I've heard that the services here are 3-4 hours long, but I haven't been to one yet. I'm sure I will go eventually though.
I'm not sure what else I have to do today besides hang out with some friends I have in the program. Hopefully classes will start for real this week, so I can begin to get in some kind of routine here. Tomorrow I have History of Western Medicine in Ghana. And the others that I've registered for are
Geography of Gender and Development in Africa
African Pop Music
African Myths and Symbols
Intro to Twi
I don't know that I'll be able to do the drumming class anymore, but I have until Feb 6 to have a finalized schedule, so if I decide to add a 2 credit drumming course, I will do it at the last minute. For now though, these 5 classes are the ones I'll be taking.
1 comment:
omg!! Kate, this sounds amazing so far and I'm definitely gonna be reading often to stay updated with the sweet things you are experiencing! I love that the lady left her baby with you on your first night in your room. that would definitely NOT happen over here. I love you, stay safe and I'll be in touch big <3 and I think you should take the drum class
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