taking it to the bank

the day after swearing in, peace corps was to deposit our pay and
settling in allowance into our bank accounts. several of us went to
the city to withdraw some of our money.
we walked into the bank and realized, whoops, peace corps never taught
us how a bank in GHANA works! so we stood there for a moment, not
sure if we needed to fill out a slip or get in a line, and which line
do we use? so we decided to wait in a line and hope it was correct.
it was very clear that we were quite confused, and as usual, the white
people in the room became the center of attention.
what? the obrunis don't know how to use a bank?
so after waiting in line for a little while, i walked up to the
teller. i told him i would like to withdraw 100 ghana cedis. i
handed him my account number.
then the teller informs me that the balance in my account is zero, and
if i take out money, it will be negative 100 ghana cedis.
i ask him to check my friends' accounts, and both of them are zero as well.
the rich white foreigners a) don't know how to use a bank, and b) have
NO money in their accounts.
and that, my friends, is what peace corps is all about: breaking down
the stereotypes that exist in this world.