Since 28 February, I'm already six months in Ghana, through and learned a lot. In that time we lived through a process in which one first tries, their environment according to personal Habits to change back. Piece by piece fits you always more and eventually developed enlarged understanding of the culture, life and people.
On the preparatory seminars for the stay abroad, we were advised of possible events that we face in our country of destination. It was also about the culture shock model. It is roughly about the "ups and downs of feelings" during the time abroad, but also immediately after the return. The whole illustrated in a graphic, a period is dar. The rash (the amplitude) is specific to each volunteer. A low point at the start corresponds to the so-called Culture shock. For me this has failed, which I'm not unhappy. I basically get used to the situation and only in the detail I have tried to change a few things. Much has also solved itself and one has finally adjusted to it. In retrospect
had to do most of interference points with life in the family. What I had to fight long, the missing, free table was in the home. It may sound trite, but such things have been grappling here. Granted, there was a table that was rather pass as a footstool, and in the light of my shoe size (46), which also limited. Otherwise there was only one small, round plastic table on the vessel with rice, sugar and other things were. At one point I was tired of everything all the time lying on the bed, have to do. Especially are always the slats of slat broken out and my back has also complained. So I decided to buy a table, no matter at what price. My host father referred me to a plastic table, which is relatively cheap and only 20 cedis (~ 13 €) costs. The next day my host mother said to me that I would rather be a carpenter can make a table. You know a carpenter who was in the vicinity of their sales booth in the city. When I explained my desire their dimensions for the table roughly had (1.0mx 0.5m), they said that it was not too expensive. The next day I went to see her stall with her on to the carpenter to be identified. As we walked through the narrow, winding streets of the market, she said to me that I should like to see the table, whether I like him. Somehow I got the strange feeling because I had still not been commissioned. Once there
was already a table ready for me. He was kept very simple but the surface was smooth - all I needed. The price for the shouting AGAINST table was fewer than five Cedi (3.5 €)! I never expected to get to the table and was so cheap very surprised. On the other hand, it took me a little annoyed that I was actually tortured for months and still get to the table was soo easy.
This matter, however, can only transfer to my host family, because every other volunteers, I have visited on his family, has at least a usable table in the home. Shortly after, I've still a cord stretched across the room where I now have my laundry. From then on, my towel was able to dry properly and I had more space for other things. From that time life in the host family was a lot better. As I have mentioned
been closed a few problems on its own. At the beginning were the Internet cafes in Swedru so slow that it was almost impossible to open his mail account. Since it was best to go out on Sunday morning, when most Ghanaians were in the church. Therefore, it was in the early days not many blog entries.
last few months but we have Swedru in a new internet cafe with really good range. Sateliteninternet use and are thus independent of the other Internet cafes, which all depend on one line and therefore slow. There you can browse at least effectively, writing mails and even download small files. For example, an antivirus program was very necessary, because the computers in Internet cafes, all with computer viruses contaminated. The customers in the Internet cafes are again a different issue.
In the first few months I had a problem with it, every day, the 35 pesewas (0.35 Cedi) pay per round-trip to the city. If you consider that you get for 35 pesewas (22 cents) a lunch, that's a waste. Therefore, and at least to drive a bit of sport, I bought a bike. Actually, there are only a few miles to get to the city, but even after a hundred meters I was sweaty as so that my shirt was totally wet. Once in school I was always addressed it funny. Noon to return, you have sweated even more. Ultimately, I sold the bike back. Funnily enough, is just gone out the fare at Lord and a month later again. The taxi price of my course is now only 25 pesewas (16 cents). The low oil price has made in Ghana immediately noticeable!
Some concerns have also used an adjustment phase. The noise in the city and at home I could really get used to what I had not initially thought possible! The radio in the house I get no longer correct. Even if the TV miteinstimmt still, it does not bother me much more. The wrong-headed financial management has become my normal, where it has disturbed me even two months ago.
It really is that one adjusts the beginning and even the stranger, no longer seen as alien.
When new volunteers come to town, I usually think again until what, for the newcomer at the beginning of a problem. Life here has become so normal. You can act a little talk in the local language and knows the prices on the street knows that eating more Ghanaian appreciate and know the different hand signals if you want a taxi in a certain direction. It is known to haggle if you take a taxi just a shorter piece sets journey. It has become normal, that you have to wait until the Trotro (the bus) is full before setting off - and when the two hours lasts. A five-hour Trotrofahrt, where you have very uncomfortable (especially in my size), sitting has become normal and more ...
By adjusting to life here, you got a different picture of Ghanaians. We understand their way of life better and it becomes clear that many know nothing other than the traditional life in Ghana, with whom she grew up ...
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