Kokrobite Beach

I've gotten into the swing of school and all my classes are going really well (I've met a lot of students in the Geology department, I think they just like me because I'm white and nerdy). This weekend a group of girls from our program trekked to Kokrobite Beach about an hour away from Accra. It was a bit of a struggle getting there, when we got to the overcrowded main tro tro station in Accra we had to ask around but finally a driver said he was going in our direction and miraculously all eight of us fit in one tro tro and we arrived at Kokrobite about an hour later. What we found there was the Mexico equivalent for Euros. That might make it sound bad, and this place was truly awesome, but it was swarmed by Europeans. We stayed at Big Milly's Backyard a charming yard of huts, houses, small shops with local crafts, a bar, and a restaurant right on the beach. We stayed in an outdoor loft above the bar and stage where they had drummers and dancers friday night and live reggae bands on saturday night.
When we found out there was an Italian restaurant down the road, our white, american, girl selves couldn't resist. It was a lovely outdoor place, run by a Spanish woman and her husband with a glorious menu. Hmm maybe we should have known better... an Italian restaurant, run by a Spanish woman, in Africa. That's too many nationalities mixed in one and consequently Keni and I paid the price (Keni especially, that's all I'll say).
During the day on Saturday we lounged on the beach, swam, and made friends with some of the local rastas. Stella (my home girl; see picture) and her twin brothers run little shops on the beach selling their hand crocheted clothes and they gave us free coconuts that we enjoyed on the beach. That night I proceeded to dance the night away with Stella to the live reggae bands, she was all about it (imagine Charlie Brown and the gang's style of dance but to reggae music). For the most part it was a pretty harmless trip, we made friends with the staff and all eight of us got back in one piece with plans to visit again. As wonderful and paradise-esque as it was, I was glad to be back yesterday to a real shower and bed.

A few things I've learned/found/experienced so far:

-My nose has endured the worst stenches known. Everyday I seem to come across a different, worse one.
-If you tell your professor that you are tired of taking notes he might let you leave class.
-I have discovered the origins of the term "big booty"; it is synonymous with "Ghanaian woman"
-My feet might be clean after I'm home for a month, so January. (at least they look tan)
-I've started making bets with myself on what possession of mine will start to grow mold next (my jeans took the cake yesterday, today it's a pair of sandals)
-If you need a question answered, ask five people and then see what answer you get the most, it might be the correct one!
-When Ghanaians I know said hi to me on campus I responded "hi how are you?!" and waved violently which is apparently a bit overly friendly and enthusiastic based on their reactions.
-As an American, the best way to have a good time and enjoy yourself is to accept that you are white and laugh at all of the frustrating and backwards ways of life here that are different from home.
Miss you all!