My love of street vendors.
My first car ride in Ghana back in 2010 was an overwhelming experience. I was exhausted from travel, sleep deprived from nerves, and in complete awe of the scenes before me, all very strange and new. Imagine how much more overwhelming it was whenever the car stopped and we were swarmed by people in the streets, all trying to sell something, sticking their faces and their products in the windows, yelling words that at the time I could not discern...
Today this is one of my favorite things about travel in Ghana. It's like shopping without having to leave the "comfort" of your vehicle. Water, snacks, fruit, bread, cold drinks, ice cream, whatever it is you may want will eventually be at your window. And it's not just food. Phone credit, shoes, clothes hangers, towels, books, toys, almost anything that can be carried on one's head.
Whenever I venture outside Cape Coast I find myself playing this mental game of "let's see what goodies come to my window." Usually I am waiting for something in particular, like an apple, or cookies, or a cold Milo drink. If I see and purchase the particular item I want, then I win. It's a great game ;-)
One day I was sitting in the tro-tro in Accra, waiting for it to fill with people (which took two hours) when I saw this:
The woman on the far right has a hot water jug attached to her waist, along with disposable cups and instant coffee mix. This is the first time I have ever seen someone sell coffee on the street! Win!!! Especially because I woke up at 5am that morning and coffee was exactly what I needed.
