Shake & Snap

Akwaabe!

Well two weeks later and finally there is my blog. I am enjoying work and life in Ghana too much. I was busy enjoying life and people who are following me on facebook can confirm that;-) I do not know where to begin, so much has happened. Let’s start….

I finally got to know my sweet colleagues from all over the world and spending our free time together. It is really remarkable how IBM selects these talents from all over the world. We have a complete different background and cultures, but our passion to get to know each other cultures and stepping out of our comfort zone is alike. It is like I know them already for a long time.

And then our client the Ghana Tourist Board in the west region. Sitting in the office of our boss Mr Hammond every day, with a picture of Atta Mills (President of Ghana) framed against the wall watching over us. Together with my Chinese colleague we are getting a process in place to get funding in for projects that has only one goal: To banish poverty and let the local communities benefit from the money that tourist are spending in this beautiful country. Further we have almost finished our education and teach the teacher classes to get the staff of the tourist board up to speed with excel, word & PowerPoint. They have only 1 computer in the office, and with 10 employees you can imagine that they have some catching up to do. Fortunately they will get new computers next week donated by an NGO, so that is good news.

Everyday I try to taste a new African dish, (one time eating with my hands.....) I miss the vegetables so much and my sandwich filet americain and ‘gerookte osseworst’ !!!! Further we were introduced in the mystics around the local policies, politics and the roles of the Chiefs and the Tribes in the communities. Very interesting, and very difficult to understand as an outsider.

And then the Ghanaian handshake! I love it!!! Shake and Snap…. It is not the one we are used to back home where you need to give a firm handshake. Nope, this one is soft and weak;-) So how does it work? You shake hands in a gentle way, you hold each other hanging on the other person's middle finger with your thumb and middle finger, while the other person does the same, then try and snap your fingers (still with the other person's finger in between yours) if you get a 'snap', you have done it. Two weeks and I have it under control!

What a great country, what a great experience to be here! Time to go to sleep….

Speak to you soon!

Who is Esi?

Esi is my Ghanaian name and every child born in Ghana is named after the day he or she was born. I was born on a Sunday and according to the believes in Ghana, Esi is the passive, sensitive and warm member of the family. She tends to be shy and likes to keep to her self, but is very aware of her surroundings and usually is the secret keeper of the family.
Well if you know me... a lot of things described about Esi doesn't sound really like me. But with a few days before I leave for my 1 month assignment for the IBM Corporate Services Corps I am really curious about that other person in me. Again I am leaving to travel the world. This time to work in ...and experience Ghana. Together with 10 colleagues from all over the world.
Questions, questions, I have so many....I do not know what to expect, a country I have never been to, with people I do not know, working for The Tourist Board in Ghana, with my Chinese colleague I do not understand over the phone, And what the customer really wants from us ........ I honestly do not know.
Well, THIS sounds like me, a new experience, out of my comfort zone, looking forward to it!