By Ariyana Griffin
Special to the AFRO
Our group woke up to the peaceful sounds of nature and began walking down a hill from our hotel to sign up for a daytime safari ride. After experiencing the night safari, we were excited to see the trails during the day and hoped to see more wildlife.
Less than 10 minutes into our ride, our hopes came true. Our Jeep paused as we saw a few baboons in the middle of the road playing, completely unphased, as they enjoyed their natural habitat. We passed them slowly on their terms and time, making sure the baby baboons were safely crossed. Instantly, we felt this would be a great trip. As our ride progressed, we saw several animals, from different species of birds to a wildebeest. Although we were unsuccessful in spotting an elephant – our main goal – we were in awe as we traveled through the trail, taking in nature.
Finally returning, we quickly ate breakfast and got on our bus to travel to another part of Tamale. There was a significant emphasis on seeing different towns and regions of the country, so we were always on the move.
On the bus, I learned more about the culture and my African Day name. I was born on Wednesday, so mine is “Akua,” meaning I am stubborn, which may or may not be accurate. According to a postcard I bought, “it is believed that the soul chooses which day a child will enter into the world and that the day of birth affects the child’s behavior, fate and future.” Having something as substantial as a name from Africa felt renewing, and I loved learning about the naming system. It reminded me of zodiac signs and how birth dates and months also have meanings. Our guides and professors allowed us to ask as many questions as our curious hearts desired.
Driving through Tamale, I mentally noted the difference between architecture and other structures compared to those in Akra. The rural nature of the town allowed it to have more trees, grass animals, and nature, altogether. Going at a slower pace for a few days was nice and relaxing. I noticed no highways in either region; traveling was sometimes prolonged due to traffic. On the other hand, I was thankful we had to take the road and the scenic route.
After eating lunch, we traveled more by bus. Once we finally reached our destination, we were free to relax and stretch out, which was much needed after our journey.
The post Ariyana Abroad: Day six on the safari appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
