“Peanut butter and jelly?” Jeremy said. “I’m going to make you a jelly and tuna sandwich. That would be pretty good, too.”
I ignored Jeremy’s comments and continued making one of my favorite American meals. After all, Jeremy and his friends had introduced me to red red, a popular Ghanaian meal, earlier that day; so I thought it was necessary for me to return the gesture and cook them something traditionally American.
Tell, a fellow American exchange student, assisted me in this endeavor. We cut the top off a large water bottle and used it as a bowl to mix powdered milk in it. What are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches without milk?
About four Ghanaian guys had a sandwich (or three sandwiches, to be exact), and they loved them.
The search for peanut butter earlier in the evening proved to be an adventure as well. Tell and I wandered into the Bush Canteen (an outdoor market on campus) and gave loud, over-exaggerated descriptions of peanut butter to the women in the market.
During this quest we ran into three Ghanaian children who were playing football (soccer). There were twin boys who were 4 years old and one 6-year-old.
We had those boys giggling and running all over the market playing soccer with them and swinging them through the air.
I had a good laugh when one of the 4-year-olds looked at Tell and said, “Oburo-ni, give me the ball!” Which basically would be the equivalent of him saying, “Hey you, white boy, give me the ball!”
I went into the Bush Canteen this evening and ran into the twins again. I gave them each cookies and they scampered off smiling and giggling.
I can’t wait to start volunteering with the kids here in Ghana. I’m hoping to go to an orphanage or an after-school program on a regular basis and really get close to some kids.
We eventually found some peanut butter, a treat the twins absolutely had to try, and hurried back to the international student hostel (ISH) to feed the curious Ghanaians.
Today I spent the majority of the day at the beach, soaking in those rays in February. I did stop to think of you poor people freezing to death at ETSU, and don’t worry, there have been moments when I have longed for a hint of the cold weather you are experiencing.
I ended up making friends with the teenage guy who booted me out of the water volleyball game last time. He actually gave me some really good advice about how to stay safe at the beach and warned me of robberies and other such things.
He told me which people I should watch out for and reminded me to always stay in a group, a fact I have heeded very well since my arrival.
Ghana is only a dangerous place if you are over-trusting and under-cautious.
I must say, this country is becoming more appealing as the days go on. To read further, check out my blog atwww.kimberfoli.blogspot.com.

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