The Countdown Begins Again

Here's the low down on Ghana. I like Ghana, but I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon. It wasn't my favorite port. I spent a lot of time exploring the areas around the ship, and finishing up my bartering interactions for my psych project. I also visited the Slave Dungeons in Elmina and Cape Coast, which is where they stored slaves for weeks before shipping them west. It was such a humbling experience. And finally, I got to explore Accra with my social psych class for our field lab. We spent the first part of the day at Osu Children's Home, playing with kids and doing yard work. And then after a short break for lunch at Afrikiko Tam Tam, we hit Oxford Street for a scavenger hunt for the market. It was one of the better class field labs I got to participate in, because we were able to learn a lot about social psychology in Ghana while still having fun.

Looking back on the voyage, it makes me really sad knowing that I'll be home in two weeks. I can't believe time has flown by so fast. By the time I get off, I'll have been in eight new countries. Today is the last study day of the voyage (which hopefully means good food – tacos?).

We've spent the last four days writing, studying, and working like crazy. It's essentially the equivalent of finals week here. I've turned in most of my work so I really only have one exam and a few group projects left to finish up after our last port, Morocco. So right now, I'm planning on finishing up most of my work before Morocco so I can just enjoy the last few days on the ship. We have a big alumni ball, including a nice dinner, and my friends and I are all trying to make the most of the last few days. We're counting down until we get off the boat in both anxiety to travel more and/or go home and because we don't want to ever leave. It's hard to think that I'm not coming back and that my friends and I will never be together like this again. But it's also nice to know I'm going home – back to normal – in Indiana. I'm excited for the summer and even next semester. Plus I have a lot of classes to catch up on at BU. But I'm not going to worry about that now. I'm just going to take it all in. The ship life is great. Where else can you walk up a flight of stairs and have someone make you oatmeal? Nowhere. I've definitely been spoiled this semester, and I know I'll miss it.

UPDATE: There were no tacos, but we did have a cookies and cream ice cream bar, so that was pretty exciting.

Also, here's a picture of one of my favorite families on the ship – the Mayes. I tutor Tim (the kid in red) every day and I've gotten to know the entire family really well.