Getting Around in Accra

I have been in Ghana about a month at this point and I have taken all forms of transportation that are available within Accra. Therefore I see this as the perfect time to talk about the interesting ways to travel in Ghana. Based on the order of price taxis come first. While taxis allow for less walking from junction to actual destination they come at a steep price. Taxis can range from 4 cedi to over 20 depending on where you want to go and how well you can bargain. Therefore, in order to get a good deal on a cab you have to be willing to play the game. For example a cab going from Osu, an area in Accra, to the University of Ghana, in Legon, "should" cost about 5 cedi. However, cab drivers may start the price at 12 cedi. To be clear THIS IS NOT A GOOD PRICE. The best way to handle this is to say "dabi tisso tisso", which is Twi for "no lower lower". By speaking Twi it shows that you are not a tourist that will pay anything. The cab driver will most likely come up with an excuse about why he wants to charge more but if you are able to stand to the price you know to be correct you will be able to get close if not exact to the price you want. A second thing to remember is to never be afraid to walk away. This means you can physically walk away, which will normally bring down the price as well. The third way to handle taxi drivers is when you are in a group you can laugh at the price when they suggest an absurdly high price. This option should only be used if the price is absurdly high because you do not want to offend the driver. Once a cab has been gotten you should not expect to get to your destination without getting lost a little bit first. However eventually you will get to your destination.

Tro-tros are the second most expensive; however, tro-tros around Accra are around 70 peswaas which equates to about 30 cents. The experience of getting in a tro-tro is something unlike anything in America. Tro-tros are fifteen passanger vans that can be anywhere from fine running condition to almost condemn-able. Most tro-tros only stop at designated junctions or stops, somewhat like a metro bus. The "mate" in the tro-tro will use certain hand signals and call out where the tro-tro is headed when it comes up to the junction. Therefore, it is necessary to know which signs signal which places. The reason it is so necessary is because many people will be vying for the same spots on the tro-tro and there are no lines or order to keep your spot. Thus you will have to push your way in and be aggressive in order to get the tro-tro you want, otherwise you will be waiting a very long time. Once on the tro-tro you will pay the mate and sit in very close quarters with all who are on the tro-tro. For people over 5'7" this will be a rather uncomfortable ride but you will get used to it. The tro-tro is the easiest transportation for the best price.

Lastly, are the buses. They are not much different from metro buses in America so if you have ridden on Detroit's People Mover before then you should be fine with the buses in Accra. The only issue with the buses is that they do not run on any particular schedule so actually getting them is more difficult than a tro-tro. These are the three ways to travel in Accra; all are fun and interesting in their own respects and with practice you can make the most of all your travels before you even get to your destination.

The Fantastic Trip to Cape Coast: Part 2

After going to the slave castle the group went to a "botel" this was quite an experience as well. The accommodations were located on top of a waterway where crocodiles frequented. That night the group of ISEP students, including myself, were treated to a fantastic meal. I had three lobsters, a large side dish of joloff, and three spring rolls for only 19 cedi. The meal and the company was great and we had fun watching the Ghanian soccer team win its Cup of Africa match. The hospitality at the botel was very enjoyable, we were even asked to play the instruments that had been set up on stage so we could have more fun. In the morning we had breakfast and got to see some of the crocodiles that were around the botel.

The next day we traveled to Kakum National Park to walk in the rainforest. This was another fantastic experience. I was able to walk across seven small, but stable rope bridges to look at the canopy of the rain forest. The distance from the ground when on the bridges measured from 7 to 40 meters. This was another experience that was very unique and necessary to any individual traveling to Ghana. Overall, my trip to Cape Coast was unforgettable. I look forward to where I will travel next in Ghana.

The Fantastic Trip to Cape Coast: Part 1

This past weekend the ISEP group went to Cape Coast which is a smaller town a few hours outside of Accra. I say a few hours because depending on traffic it can take from 4-6 hours. The bus ride was nice through, it was very interesting passing the many fruit stands and different scenery that cannot be seen in Accra. When we finally reached Cape Coast we went to the Cape Coast Slave Castle. This had been a castle where many slaves were held before being sold and taken through the middle passage. The amount of history in this place was awe inspiring. Never before had I seen the environment that slaves of the 17th and 18th centuries had to endure. The cells where the slaves were held cannot be properly shown in books or movies. The deplorable conditions that were forced upon the slaves that were once housed in the very spot where we stood was astonishing. The view from the castle was truly beautiful with the waves from the Atlantic crashing against the dark mahogany colored rocks. This was made all the more conflicting because of the atrocities that had been told of during the tour. Overall, the Cape Coast Slave Castle has done a fantastic job preserving the very old structure. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and was ready to answer any of our questions. This is a place that any individual traveling to Ghana must go. Even for individuals who are not interested in history, it still creates an atmosphere of desire to know what occurred on the grounds only a few centuries ago.