Will In Africa

I'm in Amsterdam right now. Needless to say it's been crazy. I've walked from one end to town to the other. Met lot's of interesting nice people and crazy drug addicts along the way. More about that later. Now to the Heineken factory!

Why Ghana?

"Why Ghana?" has been a question I've been asked at least 17 times a day.

If someone asked you to rationalize a particuluar food craving, how would you answer?
Unless you really understand chemistry, food, and your body, your answer would probably be vague and whishy washy. My normal answer to “Why Ghana” is just this--vague and whishy washy.

Let me try to clarify my decision with a simple Four-fold answer.

1. In the past few years I have really gotten into the music from West Africa. Afro-Beat, Highlife, I love it all. In the past few years, I’ve been fortunate enough to play with some fantastic West African Musicians living in the states. Playing and speaking with them has led me to believe that going to the “motherland” will not only be a great way to learn about African music, but also a great way to experience the roots of hip hop, jazz, blues, funk, etc…

2. A lot of people have misconceptions about Africa. I’m sure I have some of my own. I want to debunk them.

3. I can get credits towards my major, Ethnomusicology, and my minor Global studies.


Plus. Everyone I know that has been to Ghana has raved about it.

I’m excited. My plane leaves in 3 hours!
On Another Note I have a bit of a dilemma.
I’m spending two days in Amsterdam before I leave for Ghana. This is great. The problem is my malaria drug may be fatal when mixed with Marijuana.. if anyone can think of other things to do in Amsterdam please let me know!


…of course I wouldn’t smoke anyways. I’m just kidding around.


I’ll post my next entry when I get settled into Ghana. Stay tuned.
Much Love,
Will

Hey Everybody,
This is the first episode of my "Will in Africa" travel Blog. In fact, it's actually the first Blog I've ever made. If you don't know already, I'm going to study in Ghana, it's a small country in West Africa. I'll be there for like five months. Everything is set. My flight is booked with a 3 day lay over in Amsterdam and then, assuming I survive Amsterdam, I'll arrive in Ghana on July 29th . My dad booked my flight (thanks) and I'm sure he'll be thrilled about that "If I survive" comment. I will dad. promise.

Believe it or not, the thing I'm most excited about is not the traveling, but rather all these legal drugs I get to take. I'm starting the immunizations and drugs this week. Let me tell you, we're talking about a lot of drugs. Malaria, Yellow Fever, typhoid, Rabies, Polio, and yes, even diarrhea. I'm especially looking forward to diarrhea. I'm also looking forward to Mefloquine, the Malaria drug. Check this out--according to the National institute of Health, the side effects of Mefloquine include:

• stomach pain
  
• vomiting
• loss of balance
• diarrhea (hey.. atleast I'll have the Diarrhea Pills...)
  
• ringing in ears
• sleepiness
• difficulty falling asleep
• unusual dreams.

Anyways... What could I possibly be doing in Ghana to make the "unusual dreams" and diarrhea worth it?
Stay tuned for the answer and more in the next "Will in Africa" entry.
Peace & Love,
Will

# posted by Will Magid @ 4:17 PM 17 comments