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Jennifer's Trip
Fun and Games in Cape Coast...
Well this weekend we decided to got to Cape Coast. Jessica (from Canada) went on Wednesday with Birte (from Germany) before she got her flight home on Friday. So, on Friday we (ne, Michelle and Cecilia) went to Cape oast to meet up with Birte. The weekend did not start well, the bus was fully booked so we had to go by tro-tro, possibly the unsafest method of transport ever. We decided to buy four seats for the three of us so we would have more room; however this did not make the journey much more comfortable. It was horrendous, and hot and disgusting and yuck. Neverthless transport as it is here means that I will probably have to use them a few more times.
Anyway, after about 3 hours we finally got there. We jumped in a taxi (got ripped off yet again because we are obrunis) and went straight to the guest house. We arrived at Sammos and were met by Birte. Now we planned to all stay in the same room, as each double room has 2 double beds,plenty of room for 4 people. The guy working on the reception had other ideas. He tried to tell us that there were laws against having more than 3 in a room. However, he was clearly lying and just after more money. He shouted at us, we shouted back, and this went on for a while. He wanted us to pay for another single room but we were having none of it. In the end he told us to wait and ask the man who was working after him. This we did and he let us have 4 in a room no problem.
Now, by this point we were all very hot, very sweaty and not in exactly the best of moods. This situation did not inprove when we realised the 'communal' bathroom had no water. Not a drip. Now you'd be amazed at what sitting in a tro tro for 3 hours does to your hair and how much smell it generates. WE REALLY NEEDED TO SHOWER. So, of course we had to use a bucket. Usually when one bucket showers there is another smaller bucket to tip water over you, not in Sammos. I used my soap dish to tip water over myslef. Oh the joys.
Once we were 'showered' (I use the term loosely) we went out for food. Birte took us to a place on the beach called Oasis.On the way there I was surprised at how poor Ca[e Coast is. There were so many people sleeping on the streets, rows and rows and rows of them. It was all very unnerving and a very strange sight. There were lots of run down wooden huts and collapsing buildings. We were caught in a dilema, it was such a sight to see that partly we wanted to take photos, but on the other hand you have to remember that you would be taking photos of these people solely because of their poverty. It was decied that maybe it was not the best thing to do. We were surprised at how poor it is because Cape Coast is known for being a touristy place, but obviously not everyone benefits from it.
Eventually we got to eat and drink (we took wine with us to the restaurant, no-one cares here if you do that!). As we finished our meal three american medical students came to join us. They sat with us for ages and were trying to imporess us with their tales of the things they're seen while here. On finding out I am Scottish, one of them tried to ask me about Scotland Yard, he went very quiet and confused, when I said that it is actually in London. He also looked quite embarrassed! After having maybe too much wine we left.
On Saturday we woke up with 'wine heads' and went to the Castke at Cape Coast. It was used by the British for the slave trade. We were given a tour of the castle and shown the various holding areas and where the slaves were transported from. There was one particular cell which was quite disturbing, it was used to punish slaves. Four or five were kept in the cell at once and it was sealed, they were given no food or water and were left to die. The bodies were not removed until all 5 were dead. In a holding cell there were marks on the wall where waste and straw had reached - the slaves were kept there before being shipped off and it was never cleared out so all the waste piled up and the slaves had to sit in it. On the whole the tour was quite informative, and the first one where we were not told we had to give the guide more money than we had already paid!
On Sunday we went to Kakum National Park, where there is a famous Canopy Bridge. It is 40metres above the ground and there are 7 pieces to it. I went across the 1st bit and had to force myslef not to look down, all the time i was swearing quite loudly! Once you go over one part, you have to finsih the whole thing, so I had to carry on! I am sure that the view would have been amazing, but I was too petrified to look down, 40 metres is very very very very very high. I kep ny eyes glued on the end of the bridge!
The tro tro back to Kumasi was another joy to behold, and I have never been so glad to get back to Mummys Darl!
Been here 5 weeks, only another 6 to go!
Jen x
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