Dance Productions

Thursday- Saturday, May 5-7
The past three days I have had dance shows every night and all have gone successfully. I will put up pictures as soon as I get home so everyone can at least see the costumes. Unfortunately, the stage is outside and it was too dark for my camera to get a good video, so I do not have the production on tape. The paint that was used for our faces was poster paint, so our eyes cried uncontrollably and they burnt for almost twenty minutes after the paint was applied. We dealt with the pain; however, and the second night they were carful not to put it to close to our eyes. On Thursday we had practice in the afternoon, but very little got done. We were able to work out costume glitches because the seamstress did not finish the white people’s costumes on time. We tried on many different outfits and finally came up with something that worked. We then ran back to our rooms and got ready as quickly as possible to back to the show on time. When we arrived back at the theatre we were told all of our earlier preparation was unnecessary because we would be wearing different outfits. We needed to wear leggings and black tank tops. We passed around clothes until we all found things that fit and looked appropriate for the stage. My group, Hybrid, was the first to perform. The production started only thirty minutes late, which was maintained for all three nights and after my performance I was able to sit in the audience and watch the remainder of the pieces. The following days Cami, Sarah, and me spent the time after we performed and before the curtain call in Mickey’s office studying for our Twi exam we would have on Sunday morning at seven thirty am. On the final day of the production we were held after like usually, but this time the time from ten to midnight was not spent on critiques, but we were given food and beverages. Unfortunately, the foreigners were singled out and we were given our food at a different time although the meals were identical. We were unsure why it was done this way, but none of us were thrilled about the process. We soon got over it and just enjoyed our last night with the performers, many of which we may never see again.
On Tuesday, May 3rd I had my dance exam and it did not go flawlessly, but I am very glad it is over. I spent many hours practicing with Atsu and Mickey and also with Sarah. I listened to the music over and over and also watched a video of the TAs performing. I do not feel like I could have prepared anymore, so we will see what happens with grades. After the exam we had rehearsal for the production and it was after two by the time we returned to our rooms for bed. Wednesday, the following day, dance exams continued, but those of us who had already performed were not obligated to attend. However, I did have dance for Atsu at six. Sarah and I made our way over to the theatre right on time, but no one was there. So we went over to the dance exams so I could help get the foreign students lined up to perform. We stayed until the end and at eight we went back to the theatre for another dress rehearsal. We were the only group without costumes, but we performed anyway. Again we got out extremely late and thankfully Ben was around to drive us back to our hostel.
Thursday was the first day of the performance and I was suppose to go to the Togolese Embassy to get my visa, but it rained and we did not want to go to the ATM and to the passport photo station in the rain and mud. Instead I just studied and went over to the studio at three to try out costumes.
On Friday I went to the Embassy with some of the girls I would be traveling with. We first went to Osu to fill out forms and pay for the visa and then we went to Macola market, while we waited for them to process. It was an extraordinary market experience. I did get lost once, while I was looking at watches and everyone else went to look for fabric, but I ended up finding my way out. I got rings, bracelets, earrings, and watches. I found the oatmeal I like, which I really needed to replenish and everything else I needed. I am so glad I got a lot of my souvenir shopping done and made it back in time to get ready for the evenings performance. I was unable to go back to the embassy to pick up my visa, but thankfully the girls did it for me.
The following day they made there way to the Benine embassy and filed for our visas and returned to pick them up later on that day all without my help, which was extremely kind. Therefore, I was able to get other important things done during the day. I desperately needed to get to the seamstress prior to leaving for Togo and Benine or it would be impossible to get everything made in time. Therefore, before the show on Saturday Sarah and I made our way to Madena Market. The trip was successful we both got tons of fabric we loved and we did not need to ask once where to go. Sarah led us right to the fabric section of the market and as we were walking to the trotro station I spotted different types of shoes. I got two more pairs of flip flops, which made me extremely happy. I was bent over looking at shoes and someone grabbed me around my waist, I swung around with anger in my eyes and to my great surprise it was Mickey. It was hysterical to see him in such a large market on a random day. We all made our way to the trotros together and unfortunately we picked the wrong one. We sat for about ten minutes before we decided to change trotros for one that would be leaving earlier. We got on the new vehicle and took off immediately. Sarah and I got off at Firestone and followed the descriptive directions leading to the seamstress. I have explained them in an earlier blog, they involve turning at refrigerators, a brown wall, and a mango tree. We found the place with no glitches and when we arrived the seamstress was incredibly patient. We both had about seven items to give her and she did not write anything down. We are both still nervous, but I have not had a problem before so I have faith that everything will come out right. After the market we went right back to the hostel to study for Twi before I had to leave for dance. Thankfully the water was back on and I was able to shower prior to the dance show unlike the previous two days because the water had not been flowing.

-Thankfully one of my friends that is out of the country traveling is allowing me to use her computer until she gets back. Therefore, if I make my way to somewhere with internet I can get on facebook fro the next fie days!! I will get back on as soon as possible to type up my weeks worth of adventures in Togo and Benine.