There's nothing better in the world than a hug from a Ghanaian child

I had my first "Documenting the African City" class today. After being warned about the excruciating documentary editing process, the lack of equipment we're given to use and several technical difficulties (our professor kept telling the TA "Head is dirty, head is dirty", referencing to the VCR.... I stifled my laughter in the back of the room as best I could), we got to go out on our first field trip. All of my classes here are very hands-on and interactive, traveling out and about in Accra and elsewhere (Take note NYU professors; you can teach without lecturing, and *gasp* we can learn too).

Anywho, we piled into the van and headed to Labadi. Now, so far the economic disparity of the city has been pretty apparent. Mercedes SUV's drive through Old Accra where people are living in crumbling ruins of slave forts. In Labadi, we saw the huge gated development complexes, with the Mercedes SUV in the driveway and a satellite dish behind the house, all right next to slums with no running water. The professor's intention of bringing us here was to inspire us to find ideas for short documentary and ultimately our final project. We walked past a football pitch, where some of the local boys were playing with sneakers while others played barefoot or in sandals. They all of course smiled and waved.
We walked through the rest of the neighborhood where all the houses were. We were given 5 minutes to walk around and be inspired some more. Directly behind the roadside shops were kids everywhere, playing in the few beater cars and a giant dirt pile. As we walked up, all the kids smiled and started waving, yelling "Obruni! Obruni!" (which is Twi for "Whitey"... not in a bad way of course... I need to learn my Twi curse words) as they ran over to us. The smaller children ran right up to to give us hugs, three or four at a time on both sides with arms spread and big smiles. By far the best hugs I've ever had in my life; there was so much love and happiness in that embrace, it could have been a Coca-Cola commercial. Here they are playing in a giant dirt pit and an old truck, having the time of their lives playing and tackling foreigners for hugs. American kids see strangers and hide behind their mom (or nanny if you're in New York), but all the kids here are so excited to wave at you and so happy when you say hello. It makes me wonder if the kids living in the gated community have as much fun and get as much joy our of such simple acts like a hug from an Obruni.

By far the coolest experience I've had yet.