The people of Ghana

Ghana isn't a touristy place. In this Western African country that's about the size of Oregon you won't find any zip lines zipping through the monkey-filled trees or safari companies to take you out to see the elephants at night. Boutique hotels and resorts with sprawling swimming pools are rare.

And the capital city of Accra is a frenzied tangled mess of dirt roads and corrugated tin homes with the random tall building reaching up for the sky. You won't find a central part of town with a plaza circled with souvenir shops and shaded by trees. In fact, there's little greenery in this sea of browness.

Accra sits right on the ocean but you won't find a walking path winding along the white sandy beaches. No cafes and bars with balconies hanging over the crashing waves. In fact, the beaches are vacant and often blocked off with tall hurricane fences.

No, this isn't a touristy place.

It's the people with smiles that spread from ear to ear that bring this place alive.  Dressed in brilliantly patterned local fabrics, carrying big baskets of bananas on their heads, walking along with friends and family arm-in-arm, the people are some of the most beautiful in the world. They always greet out-of-towners with a friendly hello or a hug. It's downright rude to approach someone and ask a question without saying "Hello friend" first.