I'm Famous
Trip Start
Jun 30, 2004
1
15
18
Trip End
Sep 15, 2004
Takoradi, Ghana
Monday, September 6, 2004
and scroll down to find "Jonathan Chatterton"
So I spent one night In Accra and concluded I do in fact hate it, it has so much more than lome in so many ways but the 45 minute traffic jams just wound me up no end> So I was very happy to get to CapeCoast and discover it was their annual CARNIVAL!!! Which was quite exciting, it basically led to the town being invaded my tourists, more dancing in the street than normal, music all over town for about 48 hours (not the place to be if you want to relax and sleep), and alot of livemusic. Essentially the music consisted of a lot of reggae, dancing and more than the fair share of "No Women No cry" and a few more Bob MArley Classics! Which was nice if a bit tiring atfter 2 days...Im hearing the opening bit in my dreams now...I heard some interesting immitations too like " No Jesus...No Life" I have seen festivals in the carribean too and the main difference here was the lack of organisation but it was made up for by the passion by which everyone sang/danced/drank/ate etcc..
The carnival wasnt only dancing in the street, a cow was also sacrificed (somewhere) and the highlight for me was the parade where the local chiefs (about 30 of them i think) where paraded through town with these massive ornate umbrellas dancing above them, the chiefs where held on the shoulders of 4 men in what can only be described as highly decorated coffins!(no lid though), the great thing was they where dancing in there coffins (whilst sitting down) competing with the guy behind them who could work the crowd better and generally having a great time> After the parade we all went to the parade ground where alot of stuff was said in the local language, and all the kings paraded in, we all then waited...and waited leading to a few fights between various chiefs followers!!alot of shouting, arm waiving but then sirens where heard in the distance, then a brand new sparkilng motor bike turned up in the stadium did one lap, left and then returned with Id say about 9 new Toyota/LandRover/Nissan 4x4's and the President!! I was fairly impressed by this as I thought I was just going to a party, and even more impressed by the spontanious crowd cheering, his poor security men(you know smart suited men,talking into their sleeves etc>.) where on edge as he sudedenly decided to go on a "meet the people" thing, which lead to the crowd suring forward around me (i was very near the front). My claim to fame is that he waved at me (being the only white man in a crowd has its advantages)> Although I could have imagined it i guess. It was so surprising to me as at a similar event in Togo I think you would only get a similar reaction if the crowd was either paid or threatened with soldiers (or both)
Back to my trip.....I also went to this Rainforest walkway in Kakum National Park, well worth it, basically lots of rope bidges between veryveyr tall trees, you get to about 40 Metres I was told, and it is kind of the Disney land of rainforest trips but it was fun! it was Funded by USAID (shouldnt they be like....feeding starving people??)and I made the mistake of reading the safety notice, essentially it was meant to be 1 person per bridge and 5 people per "platform" (between bridges) I however was the last in my group and had some very excited and nervous Ghanaians behind me who all realised they didnt like it too much and where in a rush to get off, at one point I looked back and there where 6 people on the bridge behind me and then 11people on the patform, It wouldnt be a probelm if your not 40 metres in the air, the ropes look supprisingly flimsy, and the platforms creak as someone else gets on!! But yeah well worth a visit guys and if it collapses you can always sue the US Government!!
Look at this
Polygomy
I forgot to talk about this, in Togo and this johgged my emmory, basicall in Togo and i apears many other countriesd its ok to have many ives, up to 4 is the norm Im told, I discovered over dinner one night, I found the detaisl , interesing!! If youre rich you put your wives up in seprate houses, if you cant afford this you give them all seperate bedrooms and basically, the Husband just rotates where he sleeps!! The president is exempt to his and obviously has many wives, I was told one for every year and then that he has over 100 wives (hes not that old!!!)
So Ive been thinking about how Im going to end this travelpod and there will be 2 more entries, one as a sort of conclusion and a bit provacativley what i think can be done to help "Africa" and then one once I get home and Ive got all freaked out by normal english life!!
Hope that sounds good but now I'm going to make a sort of appeal,
If anything Ive said or anything youve read has tweaked your interest about the "Developing/third world" just a little bit please read more about how the world is horribly unfair and how just a alittle bit of our money whether it be Pounds, Euros or Dollars can go so so far, but my words are weak, if you get the chance to go to a poor country wherever it is just go,
IF ANYONE WANTS TO TRAVEL TO GHANA OR TOGO feel free to get in touch (jwac26@yahoo.co.uk) and I'll help you out wherever I can Ive gathered some contacts in NGO's and Volunteer groups for anyone who is interested in going some time in the future!
If you want to learn more try looking up
IRIN news (www.irinnews.org)
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
HIPC
THe World Bank
OXFAM
Plan International
SOS Childrens Villages
the BBC News website (www.bbcnews.com) has loads of information
Transparency International/TI
