Sunday, January 13, 2008

Thank you UGA

Aliens from another planet have landed in your neighborhood and have asked you to show them around your town for one day in order to learn about life on Earth. Where do you take them and what do you do?

" This probably isn't what you would see on most tours of the earth" I warn my alien friends as we hover over the choked Ghanaian traffic. " I mean, an African market isn't on most earthling's list of things to see before they die, but it's the best I can do, because this is my home."
Giving a group of aliens a tour of my town was not my plan when I woke up this morning, but hey, we're missing the traffic and they're letting me drive, so it can't be all bad.
Our first stop is the Makola market in downtown Accra. The first word that comes to mind is suffocating, both in terms of heat and amount of bodies moving along the street. The next is invigorating. One can't help but feel the energy that courses through this mass of humanity as we pass booths of fresh tomatoes, smelly fish, second-hand clothes, and soap. There is no distinction of rich or poor, young or old here, only of who will let you pass and who will push you aside. "Hey obroni[white man]! Wo ye den? [what are you doing]" the shoppers call out to me as we pass. As if my white skin weren't enough to make me stand out, my green companions don't exactly blend in. I stop and make friendly conversation in twi, the african dialect, introducing these aliens to the social, as well as the cultural experience of shopping in an African market.
The next stop is my favorite: a children's home not far from my house. As I step off the spaceship, the littlest kids come running up, shouting my name. The older ones hang back, staring at the aliens until I reassure them. I lead the kids over to a field and organise a quick game of what the world calls football; an African favorite. Although the aliens are soundly beaten, they seem to enjoy it and even agree to a quick game of ampe (a Ghanaian jumping game)afterwards. As the red, dust-covered sun begins to set we wave goodbye to the kids and head home.
Before they go, I insist that the aliens try some traditional Ghanaian food. The menu is fufu (a starchy ball of dough) with groundnut soup, goat, and a dessert of fresh pineapple. Full and happy, the aliens return to their ship. "So, this is what earth is like, huh?" one of them asks as they leave. " I like it." I think for a moment and then reply, " well, maybe if more earthlings could see the earth I showed you today, they would like it a little more too. Like I said, this isn't a typical tour. Its a part of our world most people don't see." "Thats too bad." he replies over his shoulder as I nod my head. "I couldn't agree more."