Dear Kordei

I am sorry for the long silence. I really am, now I understand why some people just ghost from your life. My life took an interesting turn after our last letter, in fact all our lives took an interesting turn since my last letter. I even hate to say the name “Corona”. Such a nice name for an ugly pandemic. That has made life crazy now, to think I haven’t yet seen you even though we are in the same country.

I keep telling people I left Germany the way I came. You remember how I got my visa  24 hours to my flight so I did not have enough time to pack. That’s what happened with my return. Our last seminar was cancelled which was devastating for me, because I had spent hours making bookmarks for everyone.  One beautiful Monday morning, I was called to get ready and leave Germany on Wednesday. It was crazy, I had things to hand over, and ship my box of stuff. I couldn’t even get time to shop for people, which was the upside. I mean I was on stipend, just enough money for my upkeep not enough to buy gifts for all my loved ones.

You understand how some people think you are as rich as Bill gates as soon as they hear you arrived from an European country. Thanks to Corona in a weird way, I was able to avoid unwanted visits and uncomfortable requests for money from people I  barely know.

It was also one of the awkward ways to say goodbye. I could not hug anyone, or even spend one last time with the Café Mittwoch team. I miss them a lot. At least the previous week, I said goodbye to the kindergarten so that was okay. My flight was long but nice because there were a lot of empty seats. So I enjoyed my space with a very nice air hostess who had a chat about dreadlocks with me.

I was excited about returning, but I didn’t like how I left Bremen but I was happy to see my family. The first thing about returning was the heat. I totally forgot how hot Ghana is, I just wanted to sit down and do nothing. After about three days, I got used to it. Being in self quarantine was good for me I should say. It gave me time to reflect and relax. It was like a pause in the midst of all the mixed emotions concerning my departure.

I celebrated my birthday in quarantine but that is another story for another day. Our last seminar was all online, it was very difficult for me to participate. I had good internet connection and all, but bringing myself to talk about stuff was difficult. I was still processing a lot, I still am. I haven’t written anything in months. The change was just too sudden and too much for me. I had left Bremen but I had not moved on.

Well after some months of sulking and talking to my boyfriend about it, it helped. He had also gone through a similar experience after leaving U.K. it may not seem like a big deal, but it is good to talk to people about whatever you are going through. My family has been so supportive; I do not know what I will do without them.

As I said in my last newsletter, I did not think I will miss Bremen so much. I thought it was just year to swing by. I miss riding my bicycle, I miss the random chats with those I work it. I miss my francophone friends in the hostel. I hate to admit it; I somehow miss some of the meals (I can imagine some of my German friends smiling at this sentence).  Speaking of meals, you cannot believe the weight I gained in the first few weeks in Ghana!! eating all the meals I missed. And my skin also cleared, there is really no place like home.

I am happy to be home but I do hope to visit Bremen one day. For now, I will just keep watching old pictures and videos a chatting with friends from time to time.

Al I can say is thank you Bremen and the Norddeutsche Mission for the memories.

Love,

Emefa

Dear Kordei,

I hope this letter finds you alive and well. How is your event business going? Well I have been meaning to write about the weird and stereotypical questions I get all the time. Some are funny and some are just downright rude. The problem of stereotypes is everywhere, from within ethnic groups to nationalities. Some people I believe don’t think their questions are offensive, I call them ‘’lost in translation’’ questions. Because when translating to English, you probably did not think everything through.

Apart from being a victim of stereotype, I guess I have also being a perpetrator but life is about learning and unlearning. I have learnt so much. Recently I spoke to a woman from Costa Rica who told me how some people only talk about South America and forget Central America. Costa Rica is a country in Central America and not south. It is in the little things.

Some people in Ghana too ask me some stereotypical questions or pass certain comments. When One person heard I was in Germany, the first comment he passed was ‘’the racists’’. So far, in Bremen I have encountered the loveliest of people, from the kindness of strangers to the warmth of work colleagues and friends. I have also meant few mean people. They are just reserved.

Well people have asked me and other volunteers and friends very weird questions, some funny, others offensive. The ones I find funny are from the children. I don’t blame them, they are just being plain curious.

One woman once asked me ‘’is it easy to be rich in your home country?’’ I really don’t think it is easy to be rich anywhere or? If it was, we will not have something like top 1%.  I just smiled and said no, and asked her if it was easy to be rich in Germany. She smiled and said no. Probably realised how silly her question was.

My Togolese counterpart was also asked if Togo was a big forest. Another too was asked if they have an airport. He laughed and answered yes. Thank God, I wasn’t asked the same question. I would have been sarcastic and said, ‘’no I swang on trees from Togo to Germany’’. I met a student too in Hamburg who was asked if he came through the Mediterranean. The person was trying to insinuate that is the only means of transport known by most Africans. These questions are pardoned when children ask them but educated adults!  Come on, it is 2020. Use the internet sometimes please. Once again, it is just a small percentage that experience this. Another question I am asked a lot is ‘’Do you want to go back to Ghana?’’ I don’t have a problem with this question at all but the reaction from some people after my answer is the issue. When I say ‘yes’ with so much excitement, some are surprised. Yes, I do want to go back, I come from a home. I love my country’s weather plus the love in the community. I really do miss my family and my best friend.

Let me not spoil your mood with these questions. The ones that make me laugh are form the children. With their cute faces and serious looks. One asked me if I see snakes often in Ghana. I mean where I live in Accra, I do not see snakes. Another asked if I had to walk for miles to get water, I said no. She was a bit surprised and told me she had a book that said people in Africa walk for miles to get water. I don’t blame her, most of the story books from my continent here are filled with pictures of safaris, desert and villages. I then had to explain to her that the book was just a partial representation. I don’t think she really understood because my German at that time was terrible. The recent one was from one sweet kid in the kindergarten. I rubbed some hand cream on my hands; she looked and asked ‘’why are your hands so black? ‘’. I was told to expect questions like this but for months now, none of the kids asked. I just burst into laughter and told her to repeat the question to her kindergarten teacher. I felt so bad for laughing initially because she was sad that I laughed at her question. I just could not help it but that was bad on my part.

I told her my whole body is the same colour and that is how it is. She didn’t seem convinced but I guess I tried.

Well, I hope to write more about these experiences. I also hope to learn from other cultures and nationalities and to not ask weird , stereotypical or “lost in translation“questions.

Have a blessed week.

Ems

Hello Naa,

 Sorry, I have not written to you in a while. Forgive my inconsistency

How are you and how is your classes going? The last time we spoke, you complained about the traffic situation and how that makes you even more tired than your classes itself. Well, I understand you so well. When I used to work in Ghana, it was the same. Though my office was just 20mins away from home, it took me 40 minutes to get there. My brother Dela also faces the same challenge of getting to work early.

Well, I love my volunteer work here, it is not all sunshine though. Nothing is. But I love how it is not monotonous. Monday and Tuesdays, I spend my time in the Bremen Mission Office. Before you even ask, it is not about me evangelizing. It is helping with the administrative work and other chores around the house. Sometimes dull, sometimes busy, sometimes interesting. Tuesday afternoons I spend it with the young ones of Horner Church. We just sit, chat or cook together. This I feel is a safe space for the young ones.  Last week I introduced two of them to the game of Oware¹.

On Wednesdays, there is the ‘’Café Mittwoch’’ which translates to Wednesday Cafes. The Horner church and some other partners provide breakfast for the less privileged in society. As the name depicts, this happens every Wednesday. The team is comprised of the most delightful people I have ever met. What I like about this is the time taken to set the table and food for our guests. I mean when most people I know who do the same, It is a different case, nobody has the time to set a table and garnish the food. It is usually pre-packaged and distributed.

My Thursdays and Fridays are well spent at a Kindergarten. I love the children but sometimes they can be a bit challenging when they scream and I can’t scream back at them. I love the kindergarten system here, they learn through play a lot. There isn’t even a blackboard. Every morning after breakfast, they sit in a circle, talk about the activity for the day and count who is present or not.  I think this activity helps them to learn how to count and be confident. They do play a lot, life is so beautiful at such a stage. Because they do not understand English, I am forced to speak German with them which helps me improve on myself. Some go to the extent of teaching me new words too. We all send our own breakfasts to kindergarten so that is fine but lunch can be challenging sometimes because there is no salt or pepper. What amazes me is that, children at that age always forget the routine things they are supposed to do, like washing of hands , clearing one’s plate etc . You always have to remind them but one thing they never forget that Friday’s desert is Ice cream. The ice cream factor is stuck in their head like a melody.

I applaud the caretakers at the kindergarten, the love, patience and care they have for the kids is amazing. They are firm but in a loving way. It sounds all rosy but kindergarten days are the most tiring. The first time I went there, I came back with a headache. I still do get them after working there sometimes.  It is probably just playing with them but I think the idea of being alert all time in order to make sure every child is safe is what makes it tiring as well as the constant noise, murmuring, singing, shouting and crying. Even though I get home tired, it is always a joy to see them again the next time.  I sometimes get so involved in the games that I realise I am actually having fun and not just casually playing.

Sometimes I work on weekends but it is not that often. Weekends are when I catch up with my family, my series, get some exercise done and cook. It is also a lovely time to hang out with my friends at the hostel.

That is my volunteer work here. Hope to hear from you soon.

Lexicon

1. Oware-  A  board game that requires 48 seeds. A typical oware board has two straight rows of six pits, called „houses“, and optionally one large „score“ house at either end. Each player controls the six houses on their side of the board, and the score house on their end. The game begins with four seeds in each of the twelve smaller houses.

Dear Naa Kordei,

It is the final month of the year, so soon my stay here will be over and I will be back in Ghana. This is my first time away from home for Christmas. A bit sad, I will miss my family but somewhat excited I will be missing the holiday chores. Whew! The harmattan and the dust, and all the cooking and baking. A girl needs a break. People are pretty geared up for Christmas, with decorations already popping up on residences, shops, schools and offices.

I can’t wait to see how Christmas is celebrated here. Fortunately, I will be spending 24^th, 25^th and 26^th with some amazing families and the New Year with my aunt.  I am yet to go see the ‘’Weihnachmarkt’’. This is a month long fare in the city center, I hope ‘’Schmalzkuchen’‘ will be there, I really love that snack because it tastes like ‘bofrot’¹. It is probably German Bofrot. There was another time food experience I had. Let us save that for the next food chronicles letter, which might be after the festivities.   How about you? How are you preparing for the festivities in Ghana? And the whole ‘’Year of Return’’² celebration?

Sorry I have not been able to write to you. As you know, life is full of ups and downs and I guess I have been really down. For some time, I didn’t know why, I could not understand and then it dawned on me that I was homesick. I have a way of distracting myself or not talking about my petty frustrations but it reflects in other parts of my life. For example not writing to you after weeks.

It is funny how one’s emotions can switch because you are homesick. Sometimes you are happy and other times you are sad. The random thoughts and memories that pop up in your head. Snapchat and Google photos even make these worse by reminding you with the pictures that come up from the past. It is a middle ground; I wish I could bring a part of me in Ghana here. That is a reminder that certain things in life aren’t a win –win. You just have to play with the cards you are dealt with.

You were asking if I have found a best friend here yet. Hahaha! Not yet. Such a short time to get a best friend. Everybody is too busy. Most of the Bremers I have encountered are very reserved until you start a conversation with them. I am not used to that, you could casually have a conversation with any random person in Accra. However, not here, I once told one of my German Friends that I think most people are reserved because they think it will make you comfortable when they do not talk to you. But there have been gatherings where I have approached the meanest looking person and had the most delightful conversations. The same way some take the bold step to approach me first and it is always a refreshing conversation.

The weather is getting cold and as the trees shed their leaves and look naked, we… human beings put on more clothes. Very soon, all the green will be gone. Sometimes I find it confusing, especially when I am about to sleep. Under the duvet is too warm, without the duvet, it is too cold. In several cases in Ghana, when you see the sun shining. You know it is going to be a hot day, not here. Rain or shine, I always check the temperature for the day and dress accordingly. My coordinator says ‘there is nothing like bad weather but bad clothes’. If that is what rocks their boat, then so be it.

I hear it is yet to get cold. I am waiting to see, I am sure I will have to write the letter in Ga³ or Ewe⁴ for dramatic purposes.  Speaking of clothes. Let me talk about this before I leave to the youth meeting. Remember watching movies and seeing people walk in high heeled boots all over the place during winter? Or even heels in general? Let me put my disclaimer once again. I don’t speak for the whole Germany. I don’t even speak for the whole Bremen either. I barely see women or men wear heels here, yes, they are sold in shops and occasionally I see someone in heels but not as often, as I thought I would. It seems my darling Bremers rather dress for comfort than fashion. I notice most people rather dress to look comfortable.

Well, we will talk about clothing and my work soon. These were just random thoughts that came to mind and I thoughts I could share them with you. It is bye for now. Take care.

Lots of love,

Em

P.S. please write and tell me about your Christmas celebration.

Lexicons

1. Bofrot – snacks made of dough containing flour, yeast, sugar, butter, salt, water and eggs (which are optional), and deep fried in vegetable oil to a golden brown colour.
2. Year of return – Ghana has designated 2019 as the Year of Return to commemorate 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in the United States. The government has been running a massive marketing campaign targeting African Americans and the diaspora, and various events have been arranged.
3. Ga ­– language of the Ga ethnic group which can be found in the south of Ghana
4. Ewe – language of the Ewe ethnic group located at the east of Ghana, and some parts of Togo as well.

Dear Kordei,

Sorry I have been away for so long, seminars and work have kept me busy. I miss Ghana… there I said it. I miss the banter when bargaining for the prices of a good, I do not miss the trotros¹ that much but I definitely miss some of the quibbles and squabbles that happen over fares and seats. I miss walking in the market and then hear a random person say ‘’Obaa wo y3 kama’’² or ‘’Tumtum Ahuofe’’³, that alone can brighten anyone’s day.  I miss eating Fanice⁴ on a hot day and having kenkey⁵ for breakfast. I miss the way most Ghanaians are quick to listen to one another’s problems and offer solutions. I miss how sometimes we just can’t mind our own business.  I miss the fact that almost everything can be repaired and I don’t have to buy a new one. I miss the people and the hospitality. Ghana has its downsides as well but this letter is about Germany not Ghana.

These experiences I am about to share with you have created this question in my mind. Do people make up a system or does a system make the people? That’s your food for thought. Kordei, I don’t even know why we try to discriminate against one another, because we are all one. The same God created us all, just different cultures and influences. You would think that a country that has constant supply of water and variety of detergents would lack unhygienic people but Nope. Hygiene is really a personal thing. It just dawns on you that we are all the same.

Where there are rich people, there are poor people. Where there is sanity, there is insanity. The same way where there are pleasant people, there are the unpleasant ones. During the summer, I did not like taking the bus and the tram. Why? Because it had a funny smell, some sweaty people and I am guessing who bath by just washing their face and armpits.

The same way on a hot day in Accra and you are quite unfortunate to sit close to some of the trotro mates⁶. You might leave the trotro with wrinkles because of all that grimacing. I have met some trotro mates who practice good hygiene though.

I had an experience with a pervert on the bus but I will have to tell you about that ordeal in person. People will be people! I know people say most nurses in Ghana are rude but for me I have been fortunate to meet the lovely ones. It is in Germany that I have met the rude ones. Since I have health insurance here, I decided to do a check-up. I have already been to a general physician so the next was a gynaecologist. My coordinator helped by giving me a list of those near my vicinity. Apparently, Gynaecologist here are hot cakes, they are busy and booked more than a salesperson trying to meet his target on a deadline day.

Everybody has a breaking point, for some time I was somewhat homesick. My German has gotten better over the months. At the first place, right after I asked the nurse for an appointment, she quickly told me they are booked for the year so until next year . I asked her if she knew any other place, I did not even finish my question and she said no. Right opposite that building was another one, I went in and this second nurse was even worse. She did not even let me greet and she said no appointments. I then said okay, I am ready to book for next year and she still said no. She did not even want to listen to me. I thought my German was that bad so I tried to ask her if she could speak English and the no was stronger than ever. I got to the parking lot and I just started to cry. Like real Annalise Keating7, ugly face tears. I decided to give up on the gynae appointments and then see a dentist.  In addition, thank God, I found a sweet, warm and hospitable dentist practice (Besters & partner) in the Vahr. The nurse though could not speak English, was patient with me. When I asked about a gynae nearby, she politely asked about the horrible place I visited earlier. I told her they were all booked. She then told me she did not know any other else. How sweet of her.

Then again, people will be people. The same day I met rude nurses, I met a sweet one too. The same way sometimes, someone can be inappropriate in a bus is the same way someone can offer you a seat because you are carrying lots of things. I really admire how the young ones still offer their seats to the senior citizens in the bus and tram.

Oh yeah, a new gynaecology practice opened up close to work so I have already booked one for this year. And oh yes. The nurses there were very lovely to the extent that I nearly forgot my earlier terrible predicament. They were so patient, one of them did not understand English but she was patient with me when I used to my phone to translate and talk to her.

It is funny how we are quick to  comment ‘’ This can never happen abroad’’. Some things may never happen and that is true. but when it comes to human behaviour, we are all way more alike than you think.

Kordei, this is to say that we are all one. We think, we cry, we laugh, we feel. We are one, so why the hate? Brings me to the question: Do people make a system or does the system make the people?

Have a great week!

Your Borga,

Ems.

Lexicons

1. Trotro – a minibus that is usually overcrowded and it is a common mode of transport
2. Obaa wo y3 kama –  Twi language from Ghana  for You are such a nice lady
3. Tumtum Ahuofe – Twi language from Ghana for Black beauty
4. Fanice– vanilla ice cream sold in a small sachet
5. Kenkey – cooked fermented corn wrapped in corn husks
6. Trotro mate – Assists the trotro drivers by collecting fares from the passengers
7. Annalise Keating – Character played by Viola Davis in ‘’How to get away with murder?’’

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Dear Naa,

So sorry you had to spend hours to get your hair done. On top of that, you just could not sleep well because of the headache. Black girl hair problems are real. You know, after I had short hair for over a year, the wig became like an ex you never want to see again. Itis just an occasional business now. Why aren’t lots of ladies comfortable just walking around with the afro? I mean just wash your hair and go. I see ‘wash and go’ tutorials on YouTube and the products used is definitely not ‘wash and go’. I think every type of hair has its struggles.

I honestly thought our Caucasian sisters just wake up and move but nope, not that way. It all depends on your hair type. Can you believe some have to shampoo their hair everyday or every two days? I don’t know about you but that sounds like a lot of work to me. Looks like the hair struggle is everywhere. It is just sad that over the years, beauty is defined by having silky long hair and light skin. But thank God the narrative is gradually changing. We are all beautiful, whether your hair is kinky, straight, curly etc. No matter your skin colour, you are beautiful.

I am beginning to appreciate walking around in my natural hair more often. Because of the versatility of hairstyles that we do, some people find it hard to understand how the black hair works and always struggle to recognise us as soon as we change our hairstyle. This all happened at the seminar, when one lady complimented my hair and asked how did I get it to look that way. Mind you, I had braids. As soon as I told her that I attached extensions, she was amazed. She could not fathom how I had managed to add extra hair and it looked like mine so much. I just laughed and let it go.

  Photo: Braids.

What brought up the hair talk was this: Imagine you were clueless about the nature of the Black hair. You saw someone in pixie haircut the night before, you wake up the next morning and here is this person walking around with long hair. I am sure you will wonder about the secret to the overnight success of this hair growth. That is what happened when my colleague from Ghana decided to take off her pixie hair wig cap, wash her hair and appear in her long natural hair. This time it was the guys that were shocked. They were wondering how she pulled that off. So many questions. We just sat them down, gave a mini lecture and had to talk about protective styling as well.

Photo: Pixie Haircut Wig Cap

Photo: Natural Long Hair

It got to a time I got tired of explaining. One time, I appeared at a gathering in a top bun. One woman just exclaimed ‘oh you have cut your hair!’. I just smiled and said yes because I was not in the mood to give a lecture.

Here is another one: I love top buns because they are fast and easy to do before stepping out, so I go out in them often. One fine morning, I had used my shea butter and some water for the hair. And because I was in a hurry, I didn’t it mix it well so there were some white patches. I arrived and one woman asked what was in my hair. I told her it was shea butter and water. The next question was ‘Is that what keeps your hair up?’ LOL, this 4C black hair¹ is magical my dear, it defies gravity.

 Photo: Top Bun

Well, it is quite expensive to get your hair done here. Therefore, get ready to spend or become your own hairstylist. So if you have plans of relocating, please go and be an apprentice for your local hairdresser for some time. It will come in handy, trust me.

African hair is beautiful. Its tight kinky curls, volume and colour are unique. We stand out and we have to embrace it. Probably I am saying this because my hair is at a good manageable length.

My dear friend, I have visited a salon here but that is another story for another letter. Enjoy your braids and sometimes slow service of our dear hairstylists. Take care and have a lovely week.

Lots of love,

Ems.

Lexicons

1. 4C hair: it is the name used to describe the texture of a particular afro hair type. It is has extremely tight curls and coils.

Liebe Kordei,

Hmmmm…ei… I don’t even know how to start this one. You know how I love food and how I like trying new things, but my sister, I don’t know what would have happened if I stayed with a host family. Probably I would have learnt some German cuisine but the ones I have tasted so far…hmmm.

I am a breakfast person so I love the bread. Various tastes and varieties, I love jam, sausage and bacon. Breakfast meetings are my favourite, whatever the options are. I will definitely get something I like. The only thing is that I don’t really enjoy sometimes the way the meat is cold and not cooked. So I usually stick to butter, jam, salad, fruits and eggs.

For lunch, it is usually a hot meal. The first seminar was a good place for me to taste everything. I did not like the taste of some so I did not even ask for the name. The meal I enjoyed most was Kartoffelauflauf and Schnitzel. I don’t mind taking that again. I also love the way they make their potato salad and the barbecues. Enough of the lecture on the German meals I love before you think it is all rosy.

Baby girl of life, all these things have no spice. Once again, I ask my question: Who lives like this?Sometimes I am sure there is not even a pinch of salt. As my Auntie Akpene will say: ‘Pour lots of black pepper on it, you will be fine’. So at tables, the salt and pepper shakers are my friends.

Let me tell you about one experience I had. I was in town and I was so hungry. I saw a food stall, in there I saw bread and what looked like a fish fritter. It was fish fried in bread crumbs. I definitely knew that the taste will be bland to me.

What I was not mentally prepared for was the how cold it was. When I say cold, I mean cold like chilled water from a fridge. I was so disappointed and sad. I mean, I forgave the lack of spice but cold!! COLD!! I was so frustrated that I dumped it in the nearest bin before I realised it is wrong to throw away food. I could have carried it home and heat it. I just found a café, drank coffee then went home to eat some wild jollof¹ and chicken wings for the win.

Another food experience was a dinner I went to, my sister, nothing tasted good. I came home sad, it was late so I did not want to eat anything heavy so I just make some cornflakes and slept. They could not even add spice to the grilled chicken. I am even tempted to carry a small container of shito² when I am invited to such dinners. But that is rude. Shito just makes every thing taste alright.

So when I want to eat out, I eat with the Turkish. They are the real MVPs³ and life savers out here with their tasty and spicy foods.

My dear friend, please take in all the spice you can before you get here. I miss you and can’t wait to see you.

Yours ever,

Emefa.

Lexicons

1. Jollof – meal of rice, tomatoes, water, onion, pepper and other ingredients cooked together. Quite popular in West Africa
2. Shito – spicy dark pepper sauce in Ghana and can be eaten with almost everything.
3. MVP – Most Valuable Person

Hello Kordei,

Thank you for replying my letter, it is always nice to hear from someone. You mentioned you have stopped eating kenkey because you are on a diet, my sister, eat well cause you cannot come and kill yourself.

Well, since I doubt my eurotrip will come on, that is because I have just one year, the best I can do is visit as many cities as I can. So I took a trip to Hamburg. I am sure you have heard about it, the original Ghanaian ‘Borga’ hub. And believe me, this is not a lie.

I took a bus to Hamburg, that is an hour and half from Bremen. The ride was smooth and I enjoyed every bit. An hour and a half is sometimes a daily work commute in Accra depending on the distance from your workplace to your house. So travelling with no potholes and traffic is a walk in a park. My days of trotro have prepared me for this.

Back to describing the ‘borga’ hub. It is a big city, the first thing I noticed was how busy the place was and the architecture there is lovely. Now, for the three days I spent there, I definitely heard someone speak Twi in the morning, afternoon and evening. Is there a whole mini Ghana nation here or something?

One thing I really found confusing was the underground trains. If I had not met up with a friend from Hamburg, I would have probably slept at the main station. Come and see your confused friend at the station. But as usual, I love how fast and efficient it was.

There were so many places to see in Hamburg and so many things to do. I could not finish though, but it was really great, from visiting Hafen city, to Elbtunnel, climbing the St. Michaelis church tower. It was fun and as usual, I wished you were there. I just realized I did not eat a Hamburger in Hamburg. I missed the chance to pull off a great pun! I definitely have to do that. Yep! Adding it to the list.

I know in my last letter, I praised the hospitality of Bremers, I was happy about Hamburg too. People approached me to ask if I needed help with direction at certain points, which was rare. But my last night in Hamburg left a sore taste in my mouth. We decided to see the nightlife of Hamburg. Well, after walking and talking, we stopped at a cool club, looked lively and kind of our scene. We decided to give it a shot. The bouncer did the usual, searched our bags and said we could go, just when we were about to enter, another bouncer who he claimed was his boss emerged and said we should go and we were not allowed.

Just when we were about leaving, a group of white people came and he allowed them in, another white person stepped there and was allowed. I peered in the club and noticed there was not a single black person visible. Really!! It is 2019 for crying out loid. My friend from Hamburg tried to ask for an explanation and the rest of us calmed him down and decided to let it go. We moved on to the next place that was so welcoming. We will not let one myopic person spoil our night.

Hopefully, I will get to visit Dortmund and tell you about it too. I will meet the other volunteers again! I know I have not told you much about the introductory seminar. As the name implies, it was introductory. The fila will definitely flow after my visit to Dortmund.

                                                                                                          As always,

                                                                                                          Emefa.

Lexicons

1. you cannot come and kill yourself – It is a general saying when people are tired or exhausted or they give up
2. Borga – Jargon for someone who lives abroad. It can be used as a verb and a noun. I am guessing it originates from the German word Bürger which means citizen.
3. Trotro – one of the public means of transport in Ghana. A small bus which is usually overcrowded and takes quite a while to get to your destination because of the various bus stops.
4. Fila- jargon for information, mainly for gossip