Kumasi

I had a wonderful weekend in Kumasi. Sometimes you just need a break from Accra. We left early Friday morning and it took us about five hours to get there. The bus ride was very bumpy and through lots of winding roads. It made me carsick and I was really happy when we finally made it to Kumasi.

Our first stop was at the Manyhia Palace Museum. We learned about the Ashanti tribe, which is the main tribe throughout Ghana. Of all the things they told us, I seem to only remember information about the women. One of the chief mothers is still alive today and is 112 years old. Also, one of the chief mothers led an army and fought in a war. And who says women aren’t tough?

We then went to the hotel. Kumasi also has a University and we stayed at the Engineering House on campus, which is similar to the Guest Services Center at the campus I attend. It was a really nice hotel. They served us buffet dinner and breakfast. I got a hot shower! It was so nice. It was only hot for about the first minute or so, but it defiantly showed me just how much I am going to appreciate hot showers when I get home. Oh how I miss them.

On Saturday morning after breakfast we went to the Kente Village. This is where they weave fabrics. I was shown how to do it and even got a chance to try it. There were lots of very beautiful fabrics and it is very clear lots of time and effort go into making them. 

After the Kente Village, we went to a village where they stamp the Ghanaian symbols onto fabrics. We learned about the process of creating the ink from tree bark. It is quite the process. We got to help pound on the bark to soften it. We also were given the chance to pick out a few of our favorite Ghanian symbols and stamp them onto a piece of Kente cloth. 

After the craft villages we went to the wood carving market. There were tons of stands full of beautiful wood carvings. I got to work on my bargaining skills here. I got lots of souvenirs and feel like I did a fairly good job at bargaining. I got to a point where I felt comfortable, I was the one with the money and felt like I had control. Even though these individuals still pestered you, it was different than it is in Accra. They were more polite and wouldn’t grab and pull on your arms.

We then had lunch and I had the best fish I think I’ve ever had. It was really good. When it first was brought out to me I was a little skeptical because it look like a dead fish on my plate, eyeballs and all. But it was delicious. 

After lunch, we didn’t have a lot of time but we were able to see a little of the main market in Kumasi. It was almost identical to the markets in Accra. I was able to get some fabric for a dress.

Before we headed back for the hotel we stopped at the Cultural Center, which has a few stores and were able to do a little more shopping. There were tons of beautiful paintings; I now wish I would have bought one. Hopefully I will get a chance to go back.