Arrived in Accra

Arrival: After spending time in Atlanta with some of my closest friends, I hopped on plane to Accra. 11 hours later, here I am. I was picked up at the airport by Eric and Rose, two people I'll be working with during the next few weeks. After fighting traffic for over an hour (and I mean fighting!) I arrived at the hotel where I'll be staying tonight. I got dinner at the hotel: chicken, rice, and salad. Tomorrow I'll get breakfast and get picked up by Eric who'll drive me to the Buduburum camp for an orientation. I'm not as jet-lagged as I'd imagined. The time difference is only 5 hours (Boston/Atlanta time + 5).


Strange encounters/random thoughts on Accra so far: (1) My salad was dressed with ketchup and mayonnaise--not sure if that's a local thing or an it's cheaper thing or what but for whatever reason the salad was dressed with ketchup and mayonnaise. (2) The little kids around here like to giggle and point at the white girl. (3) The music is better here than in Boston--good rap, reggae, and r&b--love it! (4) The weather feels awesome! 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit and 85-90 percent humidity--hello, Louisiana summer!


Fund-raising update: The final count for money raised was $3230. In just 30 days! To all of the donors as far apart as Boston, Atlanta, and Southern California; as diverse as Wellesley faculty and staff, members of the athletic department, high school teachers, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension community, family, and friends...THANK YOU! Y'all are awesome! Thank you too to everyone who is supporting me in non-monetary ways. It's really been incredible. If you're reading this and didn't get a chance to donate, you are still welcome to do so, and I'll make sure the money gets in the right hands.


I should be able to make it to an internet cafe. If you want to reach me, email me at madeleinebrumley@gmail.com. It's such a pain to try to check my Wellesley mail when I don't have my own computer.


I'll have to sign off for now. I have to go wander around and see what Ghanaian New Years are all about. See you in 2011! :)