Monday, May 18, 2009...The Research Begins...Sort Of

Last night was kind of funny in hindsight but it was pretty scary at the time. While our cabin is very nice and homely, being in the garden feels like you’re in the middle of the forest and with no electricity, it was pitch black by 8:00 p.m. We went to bed around 8:30 p.m. but we were awoken throughout the night by crazy noises, some sounded like crackling coming from inside of the house others came from outside like this constant howling/crowing/cockle-doodle-dooing from like 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. I kind of wrote off the noises in the house as the natural creaking of the house and the foot steps outside as the night watcher’s footsteps but Alanna was completely freaked out. So, we lived in fear until the electricity came on at 5 something and I got up at 6 to do Taebo.



Today was our first day at the center. We went around to all of the different offices (Accounts, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry, Microbiology lab, etc.) Everyone was very friendly and welcoming and I am excited about our project. As of right now, we are only sure that we will be making plant extracts but hopefully we can do some biological assays and MAYBE do the rat uterine tests when the medical student gets here in June or July. Dr. George and Dr. Sittie arranged for Olga and Mr. George to take us to the market for food, water and various other things we need in order to prepare our own meals. It was really great, we’ve passed through many markets but this was our first opportunity to really go into the heart of a market and buy things and bargain with vendors. Side note: There are vendors everywhere in Ghana, along almost every road and many stay open through the night. It is just amazing to me, every inch of good space is utilized to its full capacity. I am very impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit of Ghana. In fact, I feel that life here moves at a much more natural pace than in America. Back home, everyone is always rushing, and while the drivers here are no less (or even more) aggressive, people seem to take life in stride. I also like that arguing seems to be accepted as a natural means of communication just as joking around or having a calm conversation. I’ve seen many people argue but with the intent to end it and they don’t seem too emotionally involved in the quarrel.