Part 2 of 3.

Oboruni.

All foreigners here are referred to as "oborunis," (pronounced oh-bru-ni), and you can't go far without hearing it shouted at you. Literally translated, it means "white man," or "foreigner." Nothing offensive really, but I know it will be something we'll hear until the day we leave. It does become frustrating at times though, as you hear it more times than you can count, day in and day out. Whether it's the cute little girl running down the street, or the old man trying to sell you something you'll never need, it's one of the few things that will remain constant here. I'm not going to pretend like I can simply laugh it off each time, because I certainly haven't, and there's no way I could. I also feel that in a way, this is the opposite of what should be happening. I know I'm white, and I know I'm funny looking. I also know I'm not from Africa, and I've never been to Ghana... big deal.

Does this mean that everyone and their brother should point, laugh, shout, hiss, or snap their fingers at you? Unfortunately that's the way it is. I know it sounds pretty insignificant, and perhaps something that shouldn't be bothersome. But whether I'd been here for 25 days, or 25 years, it wouldn't matter. I, and ever other oboruni, will be treated as tourists, or "the white man," forever… Not to mention that the hissing is probably the rudest, most inconsiderate way of trying to get someone's attention that I've ever encountered. I've given up responding to it, and instead wait for an effortless "hello," which often doesn't come.

It's a little absurd though, because all my life I've been taught that living in a "colorblind," but color-conscious, society is something that we strive to do. If this is the kind of attention we draw, simply because of the color of our skin, it becomes a little perplexing.

So, is this some weird form of racism? I'm not sure I'd go that far, because I don't think that many direct their actions or words in a purely malicious way- and they aren't people we would normally think of as "racist." I'm in Africa, so I will certainly stick out, regardless of the length of time I'm here. I'm sure we all agree that it would be nice to be able to walk outside and feel like you fit in a little bit, though.

But, maybe that's something that I don't need. I mean, I really don't… I'm only here for nearly three more months. So, now I think back to why I came to Africa, or at least the answer I gave to anyone who asked "Why Africa?" The first thing that came to mind, or at least the most honest reason I gave, was because I wanted to go somewhere that not many people had chosen as their study abroad location. I didn't want to go somewhere with beautiful landmarks, artsy tourist attractions, crystal clear waters, or anything that fit the mold of the image first formulated in our minds when we hear "study abroad."

The portrayal above seems to describe, or at least appears similar to, the place we call home; somewhere I feel I "fit in." And ultimately the one thing I wanted more than anything for the time I'd be away was the most opposite thing you could find from home.

So, would Africa be this magical place different from anything I've ever known or encountered? Because I really did want to spend four or five months of my life away from everything I'd had at my convenience for the past 20 years.

Well, there's no arguing that this place I wanted to go, Africa, would be somewhere that I certainly would not fit in.

I've found almost exactly what I was looking for- somewhere I don't in. Where the people, food, and pretty much every part of the culture is the complete opposite of any place I've ever been. It might sound questionable to a lot of people, but I'm happy I'm here.

It sure beats the below-zero temperatures that will hit Wisconsin before you know it.

Good luck :)