Orientation

Today was the first day of orientation, here in Ghana. There are about 50 of us in the CIEE program (Council for International Educational Exchange), and they have us staying in this fancy hotel called the Coconut Grove. It has air conditioning, running water and a swimming pool. I hope this dispells any myths about life in Africa.
We covered culture shock, malaria, money, transportation and some politics, among other topics today. I also learned that I will be living in the Ghana Hostel on campus. (Not the homestay that I had hoped for, but I'm sure this will be equally rewarding in its own way.) I understand that this "hostel" - dormitory - is suite-style living with 2 people to a room. We move from the hotel to our more permanent housing on Monday.
For tomorrow, they have planned a scavenger hunt through the city of Accra, in which we will be split into groups (each with a leader) and sent out to find certain locations. This will mean we have to put into practice the public transportation techniques they taught us about today. Tro-tros are the cheapest and most efficient form of transportation, and I will wait until I've actually experienced it before I try to explain it.

People here go to bed earlier than I'm used and they wake up earlier too. So, I will have to be going to bed now...
Goodnight!
Kate