Day 1 & 2 : A Successful Arrival!

Photo Credit: Houssay

Thoughts from Tim:

Today was a great start to our time in Ghana. My favorite part about the day’s activities was driving through Accra and South Legon and being about to observe how people are living in these parts of Ghana. One of the most notable characteristics of the people that we have encountered thus far is that almost everyone is friendly. People often smile and wave at our van as we pass by, which is clearly much different from living in the U.S., where people are more reserved. I have also enjoyed our first couple of Ghanaian meals. My favorite dishes were the peanut and goat soup with the rice balls and the Yassa (which is actually Senegalese). I am looking forward to trying more of the local food in the coming days. Though it has only been one day, I am already thoroughly enjoying the experience of being in Ghana and I am looking forward to what the rest of the week has to offer.

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What Did We Do Today?

We left Dulles International Airport on March 10th at 6:00 PM EST and 10 hours later, we touched down in Accra, Ghana at 8:30 AM GMT / 3:30 AM EST at Kotoka International Airport!

Photo Credit: Michaela

Photo Credit: Paige

Photo Credit: Houssay

After going through customs, we exchanged our USD for Ghanaian currency (fun fact -- the airport only takes 50 and 100-dollar bills!) and headed to the shuttle that brought us to Yiri Lodge, on the University of Ghana Campus in South Legon. On the tour of the beautiful and expansive university campus, we were able to see the different residence halls and communal green spaces. The university also has numerous academic departments from History to Agriculture, to Chinese Cultural Diplomacy! A lot of walking and sweating, but of course, it was worth it.

Photo Credit: Tim

Photo Credit: Nya

Photo Credit: Dr. Ernest

After the lovely tour, we went back and had tasty smoothies at a restaurant on campus, superb Ghanaian cuisine for lunch at Yiri Lodge, and then took a rest so we can be ready for all of the fun adventures ahead. We ended the night celebrating the awesome 'Queen' Jordyn's birthday!!

Check in on our post tomorrow, when we visit three historical sites and go shopping in the capital!