For Those Travelling to Ghana

Some helpful tips:
1. Bathrooms - Unlike some countries, Ghana doesnt have squat toilets and I haven't really seen any pit toilets (except for the "public shitting grounds" alluded to in one of the guidebooks). Everything seems to have indoor plumbing. However, you also won't find toilet paper, soap, nor paper towels (those are to be provided by the user). And if the water is out, the toilet general doesn't flush, no matter how much plumbing there is.

2. Getting attention. Instead of saying "hey" or "yo" you make a snake like sound. It's similar to "Psssssst" without the P or the t sound. Kind of rude sounding and one of the expats who had been in Ghana for years really offended a Canadian woman on his trip back home.

3. Abruni - this means "white man" and might be considered offensive, if everyone who said it didn't have a big smile. Even the kids love shouting it and they get so excited when you respond to it. Which brings me to

4. Kids - they're everywhere. They seem to be in every doorway of every town. They say hello, smile, stick out their tongue, and love it when you respond. Like, getting an Abruni to smile and say hello is the ultimate victory. Which only makes them more fun. Also, there are some streets in Ghana that feel very ghetto by home standards and might feel dangerous, if there weren't kids everywhere. Oh, and when they are carried strapped to mom's back they're very cute.

5. Transit - There have been numerous posts about tro-tros, but only because they are essential, ubiquitous, and cheap. Although we usually have to ask people where they are going (there's often a lack of signage) we (almost) always find the right one and it usually leaves within a few minutes. With 5 people per row (they even have a seat that folds out to allow someone to sit in the aisle) they can easily hold 30 people. If that's not your style, then take a taxi, but be aware that some taxis are actually "shared" taxis and are like tro-tros on a smaller scale. They cost a little more, but only travel a fixed route and leave when they are full. The other taxis which take you (and only you) to anywhere you want are called "dropping" taxis and cost much more.

6. Water - No drinking fountains anywhere, but everyone sells 500ml bags (or "sachets") of water for about 400 cedis each (4 cents). So while I buy a lot of water, it aint breaking the bank.

7. Backpacks - A ghanaian with a backpack is just not seen. If they have luggage, they balance it on their head. I've seen luggage, a speaker, a coffee table, bowls, a stack of tooth paste (for sale), wooden boxes of pastries, and lumber. I don't know how they do it. I have to say, that given how hot it is, having anything laying against your back or body sounds uncomfortable. The head is definitely the way to go.

8. Trash - There's not really many public trash cans so littering is everywhere. Sometimes, people will unofficially decide that something is a public trash can. Look in the whole in the conrete and find trash, that box left by the side of the road has more trash thrown in by others. I think if a homeless people put out his cap on the street all he'd get would be more trash.

More to come.