Sunday Ghanaian Presidential Elections and guess what I'M DONE!

This past Sunday voting was held for the next Ghanaian president as well as for the members of parliament. At this point just over 80% of the votes have been counted and it looks like the New Patriotic Party, the current ruling party's candidate, Nana Akufo Addo holds the lead with 49.3% of the vote. If neither candidate passes the 50% threshold, which will be announced at 2:00 pm today, then there will have to be a run-off

This election has been flagged as a test for African democracy after there have been flawed polls with violence in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. The election has been closely watched by African democracy activists, as well as by the Ghanaian people, who have only hoped for a peaceful process. For days on end I have seen Ghanaians glued to their blasting radios, listening to any information they can get about the election, and it has been with out a doubt the main topic of discussion among both Ghanaians and foreigners here.


Well in other news, I am done. I finished my last paper and turned it in this morning. Does is feel good? Hell yes. I sure have had a lot of work these past couple weeks, but luckily I have been able to keep my mind pretty on track to finish strong. Also, I didn't fail Twi and that is also wonderful. My brain is currently packed full of new African knowledge and I feel that since this experience has been framed from within the continent my retention of that knowledge will be quite good. I have actually loved writing some of my final papers which have included The Effects of Cell Phones on the Developing World, Major Historical Influences on the Architectural Development of Accra, The G8 Africa Action Plan in Relation to Africa’s Development, The Failed State Syndrome and Africa, and The Globalization of African Music. Interesting eh? Though it was difficult at times to get everything done in a timely manner, I thoroughly enjoyed researching and really digging into all of these topics.

Now that I have completed my work, do you know what this means?
Paaaaaaacking time! (and a little bit of fun in the sun while I still can! It was of course just 9 degrees back home yesterday.)

xoo Ellie

Mepaakyew!

Dear friends and family,

I am currently sitting in my academic center listening to the rain pound down on the roof. It is my second to last Friday night here in Ghana and the different emotions which have been hitting me in waves are catching me off guard. While I have been looking forward to coming back home for the past month, I am now facing feelings of hesitation towards my return(don't worry loves my ticket is still solidly booked).

As my friends and I have been discussing, it is approaching the unknown which seems most daunting. How exactly will we face our transition back to life in the States? Will we just be too busy catching up with our friends and loved ones to think about it? We haven't really been able to process our time here- our last weeks are being spent wrapping up our classes and finals. When do we really take that moment to step back and how will it then effect us?

How will we face the questions from our friends... consensus being- how can you possibly sum up this kind of experience in a passing conversation or even an hour long one? It wasn't a trip, it was 4 months of my junior year of college living, breathing, tasting, smelling, touching, understanding, questioning, and experiencing life in Ghana, a small but highly influential piece of the continent of Africa. Here is a classic cliche, I wouldn't change my decision to come here for a second, from hours spent getting lost in colorful crowded markets, to traveling in cramped stinky trotros, haggling with taxi drivers(no meters in Ghana), getting led in the right direction by strangers, to getting led in the total wrong direction, and undoubtedly becoming a more complete student of the world. I have not only been able to learn about Ghana academically but I was given the amazing opportunity to live it, and for that I am so thankful.

xxo Ellie

ALSO
Here is my shameless plug... As I know if you are still reading this blog you must be interested a bit in my life and of course a part of my life back in the States is rowing and the boat I was in this past year is one of the top ten finalists in the Crew of the Year poll for 2008. So your job? Vote. :)
Here is the link.
This is our blurb:
Trinity Women's Openweight Varsity 8+ - Won the Head of the Charles, New England Championships, and NCAA DIII Varsity 8+ Championship. Was the first DIII school to attempt to qualify for the Henley Women's Regatta and ended up winning the Senior 8+ event. Also nearly qualified for the Remenham Challenge Cup event at Henley before breaking an oar.

THANKS
back to paper writing!

Wli Falls

Well I probably had some of the best fun I have had all semester this past Saturday. It was our last big trip and it was to the tallest waterfall in West Africa, Wli Falls. It lies close to the border of Togo, in the Eastern Region, and let me say--- just takes your breath away. We were able to go directly under the falls and feel the the water pound over our bodies like hail. The rushing of air is so strong and the sound is powerfully deafening. So of course since our group consists mostly of girls, it almost goes without saying that there was a lot of screaming going on.

My Thanksgiving was wonderful... we had a very nice group dinner in our courtyard.... And there was a stellar full-stomached dance party which followed...

OK! Back to finals.