Arrival

     After smooth airport and plane travel, I arrived at the Accra airport around 12:45pm. I had been told that when I arrived at the airport someone from the agency would be there to pick me up. After getting my bags and going through customs I was helped by and airport worker who said he would help me find the person I was supposed to be meeting. However, we could not find anyone, so he called the guy arranging my trip and he said he would call the guy who was supposed to get me and find out where he was. While we were waiting for a call back I changed my money, bought a phone, and received many proposals or confessions of "love." It is quite strange to have everyone notice you everywhere you go and watch all that you do (I am not a fan, however I have met some nice and some interesting people).
        The guy finally got there and apologized for being late. He had been stuck for some time in the horrible Accra traffic, which I was going to experience soon. We got a taxi and I thought I was on my way to meet my host family and all was good. Wrong again! He dropped me off at the Tro-Tro (mini-van that they stuff full of people and use like a taxi for longer distances) station, bought my ticket for the tro-tro, put me on it (alone) and said my contact person would meet me at the end. At this point I am internally freaking out and am incredibly nervous that once again no one would be at the end of the line.
       I also had no idea how long of a trip it was going to be and I was definitely not prepared for the 5 1/2 hour ride!!! The ride gave me a lot of knowledge of the culture here however. I learned that honking is another language down here, with various different meanings: move out of my way, you are going to slow, I want to pass you, I know you (to people on the street or other drivers), you have white people with you, or when I am really frustrated that traffic is not moving I hit my horn to release anger. The rules of the road = survival of the fittest. My tro-tro driver thought driving down the middle of the road was better then staying in his lane on the right. Goats... Goats roam free here and can be found EVERYWHERE!!! We almost got in an accident when a herd of goats decided they wanted to cross the road (I have learned that this happens daily), then we were almost ran off the road by a herd of cattle that got loose and decided to have a stamped on the freeway. One had long horns and was heads straight for the window I was leaning against, luckily my driver saw and quickly swerved away. The sun goes down at 6:00pm here and because my ride was so long it was pitch black when we finally arrived at the tro-tro station around 6:45pm.
     Once again, there was not a soul there to pick me up. My driver asked me if I had called my ride yet, and I said I would when I got out and so he went to get my luggage. I called Prince and got no answer. I am about to have the biggest panic attack of my life when the driver introduces me to Albert. Albert works with Prince and said he was there to pick me up. Still a little unsure about Albert and the whole situation I began to follow him (he took my luggage for me). We got a taxis, put my stuff inside and were off, once again I was told Prince would be meeting me wherever we were going, however and this point I was quite doubtful! About 10 minutes later we arrived at my host families house and I met my host mom and my "sisters" (the other volunteer girls also staying with my host family). Prince was not there because he had gone to get a light bulb for my room, but I felt comforted when meeting the other girls. Prince arrived and he and Albert put my bags in my room, put the light bulb in, and helped me set-up my tiny mosquito net. Prince and Albert stayed and chatted with us for a little while and then they left. My sisters and I ate dinner and talked for a while and then it was time for bed (at 8:00pm). In Ghana, people wake and sleep with the sun (5:45am & 6:00pm) which has thrown me for a loop as I am experiencing jet lag and am not ready for bed. Prince said he would try to find me a fan as soon as he could, but in my room it was about 85 degrees and I most certainly could not sleep. Welcome to Ho, Ghana :)