Ghanaian Style: Day 13

Got another late start this morning and was happy to just take my time and listen to music and read the beginning of “Good Morning Holy Spirit.” Decent read… Anyway, Angie picked me up around 1130 and we headed to her home. I was happy to meet her mother and her three daughters and to just spend some time with her in her home. She was determined to cook for me and I let her! I sat in the kitchen and watched her show me different vegetables while she cut them up and washed them. She made green plantains, yellow plantains and some kind of spinach (with bits of salmon), I forget the name every time. It was great watching her cook and explain to me everything she was doing while she cooked. When the meal was done, we went out on the porch and she challenged me to eat it Ghanaian style…with my hands. So I did. I dug right in with both hands as she laughed at me. Typically Ghanaians eat with just one hand and that is their right hand. I dug right in with both. I must’ve looked archaic. But it was a good meal. Green plantains are hard and they’re not sweet like the yellow ones. Eventually they do turn that way when they get ripe though. I was thankful that she took the time to make a meal for me. I promised her that when she came to the states, my mom would cook for her. Lol. Notice how I said, “my mom.” Anyway after that we headed out to Edmond’s uncle’s funeral. Well they sure don’t do funerals here like they do in the states. Here it’s a 3-day ordeal. We came for day 2 which is the celebration/party. Everyone looked so beautiful in their red and black…hundreds of people were there. There were dancers and drummers and performances and everyone was eating and drinking and talking. It was a sight to behold…well, I’d say for the first 2 hours. But after 4 hours plus of the same drumming and dancing my head was about to explode. I was like, “Ugh when is this going to end?!” We walked to the back area and hung out a bit with Edmond and a few of his friends and cousins, which was nice. I loosened up a bit and talked about the States and the state of the Black church and relationships and just about every subject you can think of. I enjoyed hanging out with them, but I tell you I will be glad to leave Accra tomorrow. I need a change of scenery. I’ll go to church in the morning with Reggie. I won’t speak because they canceled the teen chapel. After that we’ll head out to Kumasi to meet Mr. Yaboah....my home for the next 4 days.