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Article: Culture shock evolves into spiritual connection on Ghana visit.(Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service
- Article date:
- June 19, 1996
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1996 Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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When I first got to Africa, I felt out of place and irritated. By the time I left, I understood where black people came from.
After 21 hours of travel, I landed at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on a day when the sun was liquid hot and my clothes stuck to me. My ``guide'' was nowhere to be found. My bags were left in New York and wouldn't arrive for a week. My only relief at my guest house was a Coke.
I spent my first week struggling not to be an ``ugly American.''
I lusted for a hot shower and for air conditioning, pretending to browse magazines at the Novotel hotel now and then just to feel the cool air. I tried not to flinch at the lizards ...