Finally In Ghana

Before I went to Adanwomase, I took time to get to know Ghana. I visited Cape Coast, which I absolutely love. It was a bustling town by the ocean. Everything was in walking distance from my hotel. When I say everything, I mean food and Internet connection. Catching a taxi was easy so, if I couldn't or didn't want to walk, I had other means of transportation. I enjoyed the walks. Seeing the people, the culture and everyday life. I went there with no expectations because I knew nothing about Africa, let alone, Ghana.

I took a bus from Accra, the capitol, to Cape Coast. I settled into my room and was excited. I was like a kid in a candy store. I did not realize all of art and crafts I enjoy are right here in Ghana. I saw fabric dyeing, bead making, basket weaving, woodcarving and, of course, weaving cloth. I was ready. But first, I'm going to see the sights.

A Great Flight

I had a great flight. It was a 12 hour flight and I managed to get a lot of knitting done. I finished a pair of socks. I prefer 2 socks on 2 circular needles. I know me, if I don't do both of them at once, I'll move on to something else and not get them finished. I flew though the night so it would be day time when I arrived in Ghana.

As the pilot announced the decent into Accra, I began to feel a little sick to my stomach. I still did not have my VISA. Technically, they could ship me back back to the US and all my dreams would be shattered.

The airport was bigger than I expected. The plane landed and we exited outside. They herded us to a covered walkway. It reminded me of the plastic shelters seen at a state fair. The plastic held in the heat so it was steamy. It was like walking into a sauna. I quickly made my way to the building. Once you enter the building, there were 3 lines. One for residents, one for those who had VISAs and "VISAs on Arrival." I proceeded to the far left line, there were only 2 couples in front of me.

The security guard guided me to Room 3. I sat in this cramped, concrete walled room. It had one window that looked out onto the taxiway. I wondered, "what was I thinking?" Then I noticed the curtains were made of Kente Cloth. For some odd reason I felt comforted by its presence. After, the Immigrations Officer finished his call, he asked me why I was there. I told him to learn to weave Kente. He looked at me like I had two heads and granted me a VISA.

I rushed to the luggage claims area. I couldn't pick up my luggage until I had a VISA. I was afraid my luggage was not going to be there when I arrived. I pick up my luggage, grabbed one of the many taxis that were waiting and headed to my hotel.

I know you're getting tired of the ground work but, I thought it was necessary to share with you that this was not an easy trip. In order to become a Master Ashanti Weaver, I had to go back a second time. Have you every wanted something so bad you were "hell bent" on achieving it? If so, post a comment. Tell me what it was and how you overcame your obstacles. I think it will be inspiring for everyone!

On My Way To Ghana?

Sorry it's taken me a while to post. I've been working on a podcast, it took longer than expected.

So, I receive my passport and I make it to the airport. I was still quite nervous because I still did not have a VISA. I wasn't sure if I would get stuck in the John F. Kennedy Airport. If I did, I would have to go to the Ghanaian Embassy to get a VISA. That would delay my trip by 2 or 3 days. I crossed my fingers and hopped on the plane to JFK.

It was do or die. After a 2 hour layover, they asked everyone to make a line for passport check. Was learning to weave Kente worth this? I get in line and wait. It was brutal. The ticket claims person checked each person's passport and would check for the VISA stamp. There's one person in front of me. The Checker opens her passport then asked her to read the date on her VISA. Oh, my God! My stomach was in knots.

Wait did I give you the background on this situation? Well, when I didn't receive my passport in time, I had a"friend" offer to get me a letter from someone who worked at the Ghanaian Embassy. This letter would be on Official Letterhead and would state I would get a VISA on arrival. I'd planned on getting one on arrival, anyway, if only I could get there. This person wanted to charge me $100 US to do this "favor." My friend kept egging me on to do this. I know she thought she was helping but I refused. I would suffer the consequences and do things the correct way. If I couldn't get on the flight, I was willing to stay in JFK to do the proper paperwork. So, here we are.

I had my photos for my "VISA On Arrival" and my Yellow Fever vaccination records in my passport. I just started randomly talking to the Checker. Stuff was falling out my passport. She bends over to help me pick up my pictures. We're still talking she flips to the VISA page of the passport. I dropped my water bottle, I think out of fear. She hands me my passport, picks up my water bottle and tells me to have a great flight. Now I'm not endorsing distracting the Checkers they have a job to do. I just think in all the commotion she though she saw a VISA and I wasn't telling her different.

I boarded the aircraft, a 747 if I remember correctly, settled in and waited for take off. I just had this fear the stewardess was going to call my name and remove me from the plane. We took off and I began to relax into my seat for 12 hours of knitting and/or sleeping.

What would happen when I get to Ghana. Will customs send me back because I didn't get my VISA ahead of time?