Early Morning and the Cape Coast Castle

Well, I don't have much more to report since last night, but the internet is working well this morning in our hostel, and it would seem an injustice not to take advantage of that.

I woke up with the bright sunlight streaming through our windows around 7, and enjoyed a leisurely morning reading, journaling, showering (i was almost used to the cold water by the time I conditioned), and now blogging.

Next it's off to run some erands: make sure i'm signed up for classes with our director, go to the bank, send some postcards, etc.

Today is our first day of classes, which seems a bit out of place. We've been having so much fun sightseeing and soaking everything in, I forgot I was here to study! But i'm really excited about the classes I'm taking, and so thankful that I chose this program.

Well, since I still have time, here is some more on the Cape Coast Castle we went to on Saturday:

It stood a few stories tall, with white walls that reminded me of Jesus' warning to the Pharises of their white washed tombs, and blue windows. We went first into the male slave dungeon, where they would cram hundreds of slaves in as if they were cattle into small rooms with one to three small windows for ventalation. Here they would eat, sleep, and defecate, and there was a line on the wall showing how far their feces and dirt and piled up over the years.

We were then led to the small passage they would go to after 6 months to the passage of no return. It has been symbolically sealed.

The first time I lost the battle to the tears in my eyes was when we went outside, and the guide pointed out that above the dungeon the British has built an anglican church...

The second time was when we went to the Cell of the condemed. If slaves were too weak to go on to the ships, they were placed in a room with no ventalation, no light, no food, and no water, to die. Up to 60 were put in there at a time, and no one was taken out till all were dead, which could take up to 3 days. On the floor were markings and scatches made from their shackles and nails. While in there the guide turned off the lights, giving us a better feel for their oppresion, and giving freedom to my tears.

At the end of the tour, the guide made us vow to never let this happen again. I mouthed "I swear", even as I thought of the slavery that still goes on today. I don't understand how one human being can think of another as less then human...

I don't have a pretty way to bring this post to a close, except to say we must remember so that history doesn't keep repeating itself. And if you get the chance, please visit http://www.stopthetraffik.org/default.aspx