DAY 6 – SATURDAY 11TH JULY, 2015
Today we visited Elmina Castle. As we waited for our buddies to arrive, we stood in anticipation, paired with apprehension, of the experience ahead.
We crossed the wooden drawbridge, over the empty moat, into the vast, white castle. Kujo, our guide, introduced himself to us in the main courtyard, in the shadow of the Portugese church.
After being shown the slave dungeons, Governor’s bedroom, and the “Door of No Return”we had gained a new, deeper understanding of the history of Elmina and what the castle means to the local people.
We soon got to observe a wedding at the church near the school. It gave us an exciting insight into what we would be seeing on Sunday morning.
For lunch, we had Jollof rice and chicken, and pineapple afterwards.
Soon after lunch, we presented gifts to our buddies as Mr Lally captured the moment with pair photographs.
Afterwards, our buddies led us to their houses where we met their families.
The festival was still going on in the centre of Elmina, so in the hot sun, we joined the party.
Today the emotions were up and down, from the horrifying history of Elmina Castle, to the insightful trips to the buddie’s houses and the highs of celebrtiong Gabbi’s birthday with a toffee birthday cake.