So I'm not one for writing blogs or doing anything of such nature, but I'm hoping it will beat writing repeat emails. And there is so much to talk about here that emails almost seem too long. Living in Ghana has been much more initially relaxing then I would have ever expected, I have felt less overwhelmed living here than I ever have in New York, though I can't figure out why. The weather probably has a lot to do with it, the sun is so hot but so calming. And being in the air conditioned houses feels fabulous. It's hard starting a blog two weeks into my stay here as there is so much to explain. We've just begun our four month stay here but already it feels like we've lived here forever.

Our first week was just orientation, every day all day in the sun. But as boring as it was... I feel most of the information was helpful, especially the notes about common customs, such as not offering a gift or pointing at something with your left hand. The dorm situation here is amazing, much better than in New York. Here we have huge rooms and a common area with a high ceiling. Even our bathrooms are huge, though mine has a tendency to leak and the shower curtain just hangs there, keeping absolutely no water from splashing all over the floor. The area where we live is really nice, a quiet suburb of sorts with schools and hotels and a wine shop. And a place called ChurCheese that is eerily reminiscent of Chuckie Cheesies... Everything bears some resemblance to Barbados, the people are just as friendly and prone to waving.

My first week of classes was much less like school than I was expecting... My schedule is as follows

Monday: Nothing!
Tuesday: History of the Atlantic Slave Trade 10:30 to 1:30 and Documenting the African City 3:30 to 6:30
Wednesday: African Dance 8-12:15
Thursday: African Popular Music 11-1:30
Friday: Nothing (again)

So I have more days without class than days with class, which works out fine for me. And so far I have no work or readings, so my week has not even felt like I have been back in school. All my classes are small and the teachers so far seem great...typical school stuff I guess.

I don't want to make this first posting too too long so I'll end by saying we spent the weekend at an amazing little beach town/faux resort called Big Milly's Backyard in Kokrobite. It was only 45 minutes outside of Accra and the tro tro ride cost just 55 peswas. For a weekend of food, sun bathing, and dancing I spent only 22 cedi (including the room!) which is an extrodinary feat coming from somone who spends that much on dinner and hookah for one night in the city.

Finally venturing outside Accra without the restrictions of the NYU program was rather refreshing and we plan on doing it much more often... but for now at least I have a week (well really a mere 3 days) of classes left until my next weekend. Peace.