This has been a rather bumpy week for me here in Ghana, but I’m slowly learning about the culture and soaking it in.
Yesterday I turned 20 years old 5,000 miles away from my family and friends. As a birthday present to myself, I got my hair braided. Three Ghanaian girls worked on my long, thick hair for two and a half hours.
I gave them each one cedis for a tip. They looked at me with shocked expressions on their faces. I wondered why as I walked away and then I recalled that the minimum wage in Ghana is under two cedis a week.
It was no skin off my back, and I’m just glad that I don’t have to worry about my confused, frizzy hair getting in the way anymore.
One fellow exchange student made me a handmade birthday card. Her sweetness was very appreciated during this early transition period.
I’m becoming more accustomed to the local food now that I can move about the massive campus to find it. Two nights ago I tried fufu for the first time. It’s sort of like eating a big ball of potatoes in a bowl of goat soup. There’s a catch though . you eat it with your hands!
I still haven’t conquered the fish heads yet.
I drink approximately three liters of water a day, and I’m pretty sure I lose 2.9 of those liters due to perspiration.
We visited the beach in Accra this week.
My lack of athletic ability caused me to basically be bumped out of a game of water volleyball, and I know those who know me would not be surprised by this.
“That’s why I play the piano,” is always my response.
I was sitting at a table by the beach with some other exchange students, when all of a sudden this man walked over and kissed my hand.
I’ve been wearing a ring on my left hand to deter random men from giving me one of those Ghanaian marriage proposals I’ve heard so much about.
He looked down at the ring and inquired about my husbands’ whereabouts. A guy from New York was sitting at our table and he told the man that I was his wife.
“Well, sir, your wife is like an electric current!” he said. “No, no, she is a temptation to all mankind!”
Of course our table then burst into uproarious laughter as he walked away. My apprehensions during the earlier parts of the week are slowly being washed away with the assistance of thoughtful exchange students and friendly Ghanaian.
Now I’m just waiting until I can start doing some volunteer work and really learn about the culture here. If you want to read more about my time studying abroad in Ghana, just check out my blog at www.kimberfoli.blogspot.com.

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