We're Here!

Wow.


Well, where to start? Three continents, four countries and five cities in a twenty four hour span. It has been quite an exciting journey already and we only just got here. Our expedition got off to a great start as the flight from Seattle to Chicago was fast and comfortable. It was lucky that we arrived into Chicago ahead of time as we had only forty minutes from one flight to the next. Because of my smooth talking abilities, Tiffany and I were greeted with a chilled glass of fine champagne as we came on board our flight to Brussels. I noticed one of the flight attendants opening up a bottle for her passengers in first class, so as we passed, I mentioned that the captain had asked me to bring a bottle to the back of the plane. Obviously this didn’t work, but she did feel bad and poured us two glasses! This was the flight that really messed us up as we left Chicago at 6:00 pm and got into Brussels at 9:30 am the next day. Because of some major turbulence, we weren’t able to sleep much. We then spent a few hours in the very quiet but hugely expensive Brussels airport, home to a $14.00 sandwich which I thought was a steal, but was told otherwise by Tiffany! In Brussels, we learnt that our flight to Monrovia was now going to stop in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, before heading onto Monrovia. This was great in that we got to see Accra from the air, which is one of the biggest and most developed cities in West Africa. It was also a pain in the ass as we sat on the tarmac for almost two hours. While waiting in Accra, I read our Lonely Planet book and found that Ghanaians have a wicked sense of humour when it comes to naming their shops. A few real gems are: Covered in the Blood of Jesus Hair Salon, Meek and Mild Preparatory School, Jesus Loves Fashion, and If You Can Read This, Give Thanks to the Teacher Provision Store.

Getting off the plane in Monrovia seemed to me a great introduction into life in Africa. As we got off, we were greeted by torrential rains and 25 degree heat at 8:30 pm! We then made our way onto the bus that was waiting for us outside the plane. Thinking that the terminal was a ways away, we got on like everyone else. The bus literally took us 15 feet to an entrance that was steps from the plane itself! Laughing, we entered the terminal and got through customs quickly. Getting our bags was a bit of a scary experience as I mistook my bag for another big red backpack. This bag drew the attention of a security guard who noticed pills spilling to the floor from inside. I had no idea what pills they were or whose they were, but I thought that someone had put them in my bag. Soon after, I realized it wasn’t my bag and put it back on the conveyer belt; but the security guard’s eyes followed me out the door.

We’re now in Monrovia and for all my readers in Vancouver, you have never seen rain like what I am experiencing right now. Taking bucket baths isn’t that bad as I learned this morning, but when there is this much water pouring down outside, I think there is a better way to wash yourself. I plan on using the natural rain water and take my showers outside at the corner of the house where all the water pools from the roof and streams down into the yard, making it a perfect shower.

The girls who live here at great. Christy, the Visions in Action coordinator has been in Monrovia for two years and she was the one who picked us up from the airport. She seems to know a lot about Liberia and helped Tom Masters, an author in the newest Lonely Planet West Africa Edition, orientating him with the country. We also met Barrie, a girl who is working in Phebe, a town in Bong County very close to Gbarnga (pronounced Banga) where Tiffany and I will be stationed starting mid week. And Taz, an English journalist who is also staying in the Visions house and who writes for several newspapers and radio stations in the area. The house is large with a generator that runs for a good portion of the day. It is in a compound and the office is right next door. There are guards who patrol the lot 24 hours a day. Trying to sleep was a little difficult because it is so loud here. With the rain, birds, frog, crickets, roosters, and people all extremely loud at night, there is never a quiet moment. For anybody who has seen Planet Earth and has heard of the bird that mimics man made noises, Liberia must have an estranged sister of the bird as it only makes the sound of a tractor engine turning over. With dozens of those all sputtering at once in your backyard, you can imagine how it would be difficult to sleep.

This is getting long so I will wrap it up. Today we are going into Monrovia proper to visit the market and get cell phones. I haven’t been able to take pictures yet as it’s too wet to bring out the camera, but I promise they will come soon.

Much love,