Finally some generalizations

After a year spent in Ghana, I think, I already have the right to make some generalizations about this nation and believe them to be true. Some things I find particularly interesting (not as in bad, as in different) and I want to remember:

• They don’t know how to swim, though live close to the water. Mainly it’s not their “fault”, more of the fact that the sea has great waves all the time. Though people, we met at Nzulezu (the village on stilts) knew how to swim quite well.
• They don’t know how to blow bubbles from the bubble gum:) It was funny see Charles learning how to do that:)
• 95% of population could live happily eating only fufu or banku every meal, all day, every day. They eat it with hands. Sometimes it’s interesting to observe adult people in suits dipping hands in the soup…
• All people are born with the feel of the rhythm and dance whenever there’s a chance. Everybody dances, young and old, boys and girls… Most ways of dancing are too physically close for my taste, but they do enjoy it none the less.
• They don’t take alcohol, instead the most popular is sache water:) though when you go out somewhere you’re most likely drink coke, sprite, fanta (orange, lemon or cocktail) or pineapple juice (more rarely orange or mango juice).
• Ghanaians are selling nation:) you can buy almost anything on the streets while standing in the traffic jam. Most likely you are to hear: “Pure water!” (selling sache water), “Yes plaintain!” (plantain chips that can be salty or sweet), “Coco coco” (cold coconut and chocolate drink), “Yes pawpaw” (papaya). But also you can buy stuff for your car or house like 10 rolls of toilet paper for example.
• Generally Ghanaians are not a cheating nation by its sense. For example if you buy coke or beer in glass bottles you are expected to take the bottle back and everybody trusts you that you will do that. Though they don’t mind getting paid more than they should – bargaining is a very important to skill to master.
• Maryna observed an interesting fashion trick – often girls wear shoes that are two sizes too small and guys – the ones two sizes too big. I haven’t found a logical backing for this fact.
• Every Sunday (more rarely Saturday) they go to church looking their very best and spend a lot of time there. They read bible and other spiritual books every day. Whatever the book is about, either it’s relationships or managing your finances, you may find a version with tips how good Christians do it.
• I believe Ghanaians are quite nationalistic people: Friday’s are traditional wear day (not jeans;)); they love their music – the hip life (new popular songs) and the high life (old songs that are always popular); they really don’t like it when you say anything bad about their country, even as a joke (don’t let me comment on this one).
• One thing that is lacking in this country is the long term thinking and planning. That’s one of the reasons we’re facing a huge energy crisis these days. It’s not that bad for households (individuals can adjust quite easily), but I can’t imagine how hard it should be for the business. I heard when there’s “lights off” the production costs raise almost 5 times due to usage of generators. Just amazing…
• ...it can go on and on and on...
  

**************************************************
I'm very much into one type of songs these days (Keistuoliu teatras;)). This one seems to be appropriate here:

Atsigrezkite, skrendantys,
Iskeliaujantys, stokit,
Pamojuokite verkiantiems,
Visiems pamojuokite:
Pavelavusiems, liudintiems,
Stotyse susiguzusiems…

Pamojuokite snaudziantiems
Issiilgusiems, laukiantiems…

Pamojuokite tolstantiem,
Nepaliaujamai krentantiem
Nelabai apsirengusiem
Pamojuokite krentantiem
Atsiliekantiem, tylintiem
Uzmirstiem, nusivylusiems…

Pamojuokite kylantiem
Nemyletiem, o mylintiem…

Bet tiktai tu nebaidyk
Ryto strazdo giesmininko
Tu tiktai paklausyk
Ne siandien, tai rytoj jisai uzgiedos
Tik lauki...