Takoradi Ghana

hey everyone,
I am writing to you from Takoradi, Ghana. We are at lattitude 4 degrees and longitude .01 degrees. being on the equator as so, it is damn hot. You cant sit in the shade without sweating a waterfall. I suppose Brasil wasnt any better. If it werent for the ships freezing cold temperatures I would probably go insane.
This is a third world country and looks as such but Manaus was pretty poor as well. However, Takoradi makes Manaus seem clean, calm and safe. We walk through litter strewn streets getting our idea of personal space torn to shreds as men try to grab our wrists and to place bracelets there that they will later try to make us buy. You can see below the one stalking me and my friend maria all the way to the market.

A walk to the market is about a mile from the ship and in this heat it is hard not to get dehydrated. The streets reek so bad that I want to constantly throw up and the people harrass me no matter where I walk. People are throwing live goats and chickens into the backs of cars, legs tied. There are children running about grabbing at you and black and green foaming water on the streets. If thats not overwhelming enough, there are large holes in random areas of the street. one of my friends actually fell in one and had to get stitches on the boat. The whole ordeal was very difficult to process and not all that enjoyable.
Today, however, was much improved. We went out into the jungle and walked on canopy bridges which I will post a photo of when I get the pics from my friend. I left my camera on the bus... will never do that again. Got it back though. after that we went to eat lunch and watch the bamboo orchestra. They were spectacular and had us dance with them which was really fun but unbelievably hot. You have never felt hot until you have visited the equator.

Tomorrow I am going to see the old slave castles and dungeons. It should be educational and apparentally emotional. I may also be sleeping in the canopy of the congo on a platform or a few other things I probably shouldnt mention until they are done. If I do my mother might have a heart attack or something. I assure you I have a level head on my shoulders. I wont get into too much trouble but life is boring and pointless without a little risk!
In any case I believe it is my dear brother Zach's birthday! Happy Birthday bro! Below is a picture of your present. I bought it in Manaus! I know its the evening or something there but its actually night here and so I feel like I can say I hope your day is a good one!

Yes I got you a hammock. If you havent noticed, people at CSU like to get hammocks out when the weather is nice, but yours is way cooler than any of theirs. Not to mention im sure a girl wouldnt mind curling up in it! ok too far. ha ha. I love you little bro! have an awesome day!
Anyway, I hope you all are well. I still really enjoy getting email (gefuller@semesteratsea.net) So write me! I am now going to finish watching Sherlock Holmes (which you can tell is showing in my writing) and find a few people who I wish to speak with about plans for this week. Talk to you all later!


Genevieve Fuller