The Real Deal

On my way to work today, I saw a large, baseball-capped “Obruni” (what Ghanaians call white people) walking toward me. I knew without a doubt there was only one person it could be – Uncle Cliff. Although we said our goodbyes last night, he was heading to the nearby Sea Top bar to return a bottle from yesterday. I waited for him, and we shared a taxi into Cape Coast. We said goodbye for real this time, and he headed toward the fast van station so he could share an air-conditioned van back to Accra. He will spend his last few days with Dave and Renae before heading back to the US on Saturday.

Still getting used to the taxi system, and also still unsure of exactly where my school is in relation to other landmarks, I ended up paying 4 cedis again and being dropped right outside the school. I took a few tambourines and egg shakers with me today, and the big wooden chest we cleaned out yesterday sat in the sun all day to dry out. I will bring more instruments tomorrow and start to fill it up.

I spent the first hour or so looking through some of the textbooks I brought with me, brushing up on what to expect behaviorally, developmentally, musically, etc., from children with intellectual disabilities. I am starting to map out what next week will look like, when I actually start doing music. I also thought of a few descriptions that might more appropriately describe what I am doing here, including “music assisted education” and “music supported education.” Combine those terms with “adapted music education” and that’s basically what I’ll be doing for the next six weeks.

Just before lunch, Mary, the headmistress, and I went out into town in search of drums. I had in mind something along the lines of a frame drum, with a head about the size of a dinner plate, which proved harder to find than I expected. We went to two music shops, which more closely resembled Guitar Center than the drum maker I was expecting to see. Although we did not buy any drums there, if I do decide to purchase a guitar here, I can do so there. I don’t know how much they cost, but I had to chuckle when I saw the brand on one of the guitars: Givson. No, that is not a type-o.

When we came back, Mary and I had lunch. On today’s menu was kenkey with pepe sauce and two small pieces of fish. Although I have had kenkey at OU, I asked Mary what goes into it, because it is a yellowish ball with a texture similar to Playdough. She said it is made out of ground maize (which she also said was the same as corn) and flour. The ground maize soaks for a few days to get soft, combines with the flour, and cooks for a long time. After watching the kids using their fingers to dip small pieces into the sauce, I was able to follow suit without much difficulty or mess. We cleaned our hands in a bowl of water before and after. I offered Mary my pieces of fish so that they didn’t go to waste.

Before heading home, I learned some of the songs that I will be using with the kids. They are fun and pretty easy, so I picked them up quickly. When only two kids were left waiting for a ride home, I packed up my things and said goodbye. I cut through the other schools and down another path towards Kotokuruba market. The taxi station where I can get a shared taxi for only 1 cedi back to Elmina is right on the edge of the market. Since I ate yesterday’s pineapple for breakfast today, I stopped for another one, which I bought speaking only Akan! I have been speaking mostly English, partly because the Ghanaians automatically speak English to me, and partly because my skills are still pretty shaky. I have been slowly building up courage and speaking more since arriving in Cape Coast.

I managed to find a taxi heading toward Elmina and jumped in. The ride from Cape to Elmina is beautiful, as the road follows the coast. The sun is shining bright today, and I could see groups of fishermen with their colorful boats all along the beach. The road is lined with tall, swaying palm trees. Although I have only been in Cape Coast three days, I can see a schedule emerging, and can feel myself settling in to life here. Even though I did manage to get myself yelled at by my taxi driver for handing him my fare with my left hand, I still feel surprisingly comfortable here. And that is a nice feeling.

This evening, I plan to visit the Elmina Beach Resort (just across the street) and buy a one month pool pass - something I think will come in very handy after a long, sweaty day at work. Tonight it's back to Eli's for dinner, and I hear we are having okra stew. I will spend this evening preparing even more for tomorrow so that I can feel good going into Friday, and the weekend. I keep telling myself this is the hardest part of what I will be doing at the school - not only getting adjusted and meeting everyone, but also making plans for precisely what the next six weeks will look like. Suffice it to say I have plenty of things to keep me busy!