Shopping Day in Africa

Tuesday - March 20, 2012 - Well today is exciting.  We get to go shopping.  Anita tells us this will be an experience.  We decided to hire a cab for the day.  This is the most economical way in Ghana.  For 100 Cedis or $59 US currency we get Ike for about 9 hours.  Do that in America. Gas included.  Did I mention gas cost $7 a gallon.  Does not add up somehow.  The cab driver Ike, turns out to be more then a cab driver.  He is a great negotiator and interpreter and more.  Ike picked us up at around 9 AM.  Our first stop was The Art and Cultural Center.  This is a place where many African native craftsman make and sell their goods.  As we entered the area the first person to approach us was the guy who makes drums.  That was on the top of my shopping list.  He lead us to an area where they would sit Donna and I down for drum lessons.  Really a cool experience.  Of course before they started a group of natives showed us their drum playing talent.  Really neat.  After that experience, we picked out a drum that they had made and bartered a bit a struck a deal.  After this purchase we went looking at baskets which were so beautiful.  it is difficult not to buy everything.  The prices are cheap as dirt and the crafts are absolutely beautiful.  Too bad we are limited on the airplane on what we can bring home.  As we walked through the shopping village, we quickly learned that we would not hide from the vendors easily.  The craftsman would come walk beside you inviting you to their section.  We had to be polite and pass by many vendors or we would still be there.  At times the craftsman are on you so much you don't know what to do.  They don't see shopping white people very often, so when they do they are persistent and they all need the sells.  You can just tell. We left the Cultural Center and went to lunch at a place called Frankies.  The closest thing to an American Restaurant in Africa.  They had DIET COKE.  I think the only place in Africa. After several hours or looking and bartering, we found our way back to the hotel.  This made for a long, hot, tiring day, but lots of fun. more to come