Folks are impressed with the garden....

Sort of funny - things that I think are normal get a lot of attention in these parts. The garden is coming along - in a weird way of course, the Liberian way, the Coconut Plantation way.

Andrew, the gardener has decided that he is the "Executive Manager" of the Garden and now does what he sees fit so planting tomatoes and squash next to each other in the small bed is just how it is gonna be LOL. And don't even get me started on his landscaping aesthetic of the the front of the house... But he is proud and he actually enjoys gardening so who am I to judge eh? Things are growing under his watchful care and now that we are collecting enough condensation/fresh water from the air conditioners the plants seem to be doing much better.

Garden Bed

Folks have been by to see the garden a colleague here and there and even the property managers bring folks over to show that the "garden." Those who have heard about it I guess have never believed it - yes you can grow tomatoes and such in Liberia - it just takes care and time. And so I pay them no mind when they see the garden and find it awe inspiring that an expat is actually improving their area...sigh
I bought a few plants from a local nursery and well 2 1/2 out of five survived and to me that seems about right considering the conditions they were handed to me lol

Can't wait to find out what that white puffy thing is going to release?
Spiders? Locusts? God Help me - this is what happens when you
buy plants from the side of the road.

I have also convinced Andrew to water the "bushes" and other plants surrounding the house. This would normally seem a gluttonous use of water except now we are collecting water so we can be generous! Now we need dirt! Dirt? yes DIRT! the land surrounding our place is pure beach sand and we are at the bottom of the small hill (towards the ocean) and so the wind and light rain daily wash away the sand. As we water the bushes so too the sand is washed away creating holes and exposing roots (and attracting ants). So now I need to find a resource for dirt. A LOT of dirt. I am also thinking of building a small framework to stop the erosion of the yard, like dunes on ocean beaches, steps if you will. So I have found some cheap wood and I could make this dream reality but then I have to remember I am in Africa.....If I create a system to "trap" dirt and sand when the rainy season arrives what will happen? Will I  be creating a mosquito breeding ground? Will the dirt just become MUD? Thus sand then becomes the chosen answer because it dries quicker in the sun and doesn't hold moisture for long...sigh

Not sure I mentioned how hot it is here today!

Last night/today was my first experience with heavy rain here in Liberia. And now I am beginning to understand the gravity of it all. We saw our FIRST mosquito since arriving-and it was INSIDE the House.

Check out the new life on this "dead" stick.

But such is life if beautiful Monrovia! Back to the garden. Andrew did teach me about the Magic of Africa. Surely in the western world we are familiar with the concept of plant cuttings..but roses for instance take need and care to root and grow. Well here in Africa, or at least Coconut Plantation, the rule is: Cut branch from a tree/bush/plant you like, dig a hole and stick your branch in the ground, wait.  Well....as you can imagine when Andrew took a bunch of sticks and put them in the ground surely I thought he was mocking me - "Yes, Mike they will grow..." Surely, after work Andrew hangs out with his friends and makes fun of Mike waiting for his branches to grow- like some twisted mean lesson in a Liberian Folk Tale.

LIFE! Four weeks!

Well - The sticks are growing new life - UNBELIEVABLE - every stick that Andrew planted has blossomed leaves - truly Magical MAGICAL. And I can tell you I have never - Never seen such will to live as watching a "dead" stick over FOUR WEEKS actually survive to the point that the leaves are bright, warm, vibrant and just plain full of LIFE. So magical these little sticks, these PLANTS have given me the hope I have needed.

The trust in fellow humans: Andrew, the hope that all is never lost: dead branch, trust in God that life goes on after death, the hope that Liberia will flourish again.

Paynesville Cemetery

Passed a cemetery on the way to Jola House (so many things and everything looks the same dusty brown ) and asked the guys to stop on the way back.

We did but I moved quick and just took two photos as there was a funeral taking place and a grave digger spotted me - I have to teach Dillon how to use the camera LOL

I thought it was interesting and that folks may want to see these ornate above ground burial places.

Evidence of War-Bailey Bridge and Palm Cabbage

Thought here and again I should post photos that depict the "signs of war." Really, they should be labeled remnants. The true signs of war is the way the people of Liberia are suffering physically, mentall, financially, and emotionally.

But there are physical signs that symbolize the war existed, and not everything is obvious as I have come to learn.

This photo depicts a "bailey bridge." If you are familiar with armed forces, you know this term. This bridge is carried on a tank and when troops need to pass over a terrain where bridges once laid, the tank is able to put down this style of bridge. All through the countryside you will find these bridges - as even today the only way to keep peace in Liberia is the thousands of UN troops stationed throughout the bush.

The UN is also responsible for delivering water - and constant convoys of white UN tanker trucks deliver water to the bush counties and villages.

Other signs include what's missing - for instance our compound is called coconut plantation because of the coconut trees - and I have come to learn why there are no other trees along the beach - not because our landlord planted trees no no. Sadly, before Charkes Taylor, coconut trees were  abundant and along the shore especially coconut trees were "plenty." During his reign of terror and the lack of food in and all the folks hiding out in Mamba Point, Monrovia, the people chopped down the trees to get to the edible fiber found in the center of the coconut tree trunks, this food is known as "palm cabbage."

And so the lack of coconut trees is now so painfully evident to me every time I walk the beach.

Jola House - Dwear

D wearing one of his own designs.

Here is a photo of D, the only male trainee/staffer at Jola House. He is a dynamic young adult who has a lovely, supportive girlfriend who came to the open house.

D is not only good at tailoring and finishing, but unlike his colleagues D can sketch new designs, create patterns, and produce his own original work.

In the photo above he is wearing a jacket he designed and made himself!

Below are photos of a hat he also designed and made - notice the lining and finishing details.

Winston modeling Dwear hat

lining of hat

Very cool - I asked him where he gets his inspiration (there is no tv, no magazines, no outlets to creative inspiration) he said it all comes from inside! I love this guy! I am really hoping that I can help D with his dream to have his own line of clothing - I brought with me different men's magazines, like GQ and Details, I am going to bring them and give them to D to help him be creative and maybe inspire his mind.

I am also going to commission him to make me an outfit! So we will see!!! so excited! Big hopes for this guy!

D hanging with BK (My Driver) and Dillon (My Security)

Jola House - Open House and VP Visit

The Jola House team! and VP Boakai

Oh my goodness the last two days have been intense to say the least, working on Jola House in the midst of home drama (nothing to worry about).

Let me first explain a little background, the logistics of what it takes to volunteer, and then the last two days.

Elfreda Mayson is a Liberian, who fled Liberia with her family early in the wars…her husband is a successful OBGYN in New York, and her three children are in university throughout the US.  She decided that she needed to return to her homeland and help the women of her community. She has an MBA and degree in interior design. With education, skills, money, and a spirit that is unmatched she founded the Jola House

To recap here is the Jola House website:Jola House

(And yes the website is on the to do list – remember I just started)

I found Jola House through my efforts to find handmade quilts – Gary mentioned that he had seen a quilt display at one of the local hotels – we went and found a Jola House card wedged underneath the glass countertop of the reception desk – but it was not legible – we finally diverted the attention of the attendant I went behind the counter and was able to retrieve the card and next thing I knew Gary and I were visiting Jola House.

Jola House sits about 35-45 minutes by car from city center – and is maybe 10/12 miles. The road is paved but the further you get into Paynesville the more treacherous the potholes! And once there, it is dusty, dry, HOT, and a small village setting of bombed out buildings, huts, and squatters.

Obviously, this town was once a vibrant neighborhood, now just a remnant of the war. So how do I get there? Well I hire a driver with a 4 x 4 truck (with a/c) and a security guy/assistant. Yes it costs ME money to volunteer and it is not cheap! I hired Dillon a recommendation from a friend, he is 27, smart, clean cut and survived the war by fleeing Liberia to Sierra Leone. Dillon found BK, who is 25 about 6’4” and looks like a tall lean Kanye West. BK just graduated A.M.E. University with a business degree and has a dream of opening his own used car business.

So I was able to hire them both for Friday and Saturday which turned out to be perfect because we worked well together – and we all learned a lot about the world.

Before: everything hung on a rack with no price tags.

Merchandised, with price tags!
 (Yes those bottom two cubes will have product
 by tomorrow morning - it is being made!)

Bags on display

Friday was prep day for Jola House – I went out to prepare the team for the open house, craft the program, coach the speakers, and use what little we had to make an “event.” Additionally, I merchandised and prepared the store so that we looked like a boutique, and the quality products were displayed as such for our guests and the media.

To our delight we learned the Vice President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai would be in attendance! We received his protocol officer, media person, and security lead and we discussed the program and photo opportunities.

My favorite for the day was just bringing excitement and energy to a team already exhausted from doing so much work and preparing for this launch (a Liberian term for every event ). I brought my best and made sure everyone was excited and appreciated!

The team on Friday!

You could tell the energy was getting more and more excited as the day progressed, Dillon helped me clean and price tag all the items and BK acted as a gopher and got us supplies, cold water, and snacks as needed. Was quite a group effort and the Jola team enjoyed having us around. I was proud of Dillon and BK for being so involved and positive.

When it was time to coach the staff on their parts of the program it took all of me not to sob. These women came to Jola less than a year ago malnourished and without a livelihood – and today they were proud partners in a business, a Liberian woman business.  I coached the women and they were so excited, I heard their stories and helped them to focus on key points and phrases and shorten their speeches so that it would have the greatest impact – to say they were thrilled is an understatement – they had limited reading and writing skills but they could get by – and so I hand wrote at their request (we have no printers at Jola as Elfreda was robbed of all her computers and equipment two weeks ago). And so I used lined paper and LARGE print to write their speeches and then they practiced – it was awesome!

At the end of Friday I was exhausted EXHAUSTED – and the guys brought me home, we did a little sightseeing on the way –

Getting home, I jumped in the pool and then learned from Vamsi that we had to go to dinner with his colleague and some expats. At dinner, I mentioned my day, and my expat friends affirmed me for my work but were all too nay say about the VP arriving at all. They were so condescending and so – that is so sweet of you to think your little event will get any attention! OMG – thanks for all your support!

Saturday arrived and the guys brought me out to Jola and the energy was electric (ironic eh?). The tent arrived, final details of the program were being ironed out, and we were reviewing the whole event once again with the VP’s protocol officer, Jack and media person, George. Everyone was excited and buzzing and sweeping, and cleaning and all was abuzz!

Liberian Secret Service.

The program was to include and opening prayer from Ma Francis, Elfreda’s 92 year old mother-in-law! 92 ! Never left the country! A true testament to living!

Then Lionetta was to welcome everyone, Elfreda was to speak, Violet was to give a testimony, the VP was to speak and Annie was to thank everyone. After the program there would be lunch, and then we would move to the front for a ribbin cutting ceremony, and we would shop!

We were ready…and the folks came! We had over 60 guests! Very exciting, and of course now we waited for the honorable VP, did I mention it was HOT!

UN Military

As we sat in the back of the compound on concrete in the sun (yea the tent was useless) we waited and then we heard the sirens, the Jola team went to the front of the building to greet the VP and escort him to the tent. I was not prepared for the UN armed (ARMED) military convoy and the entire security convoy-I don’t know why but there is something about giant UN military white trucks with flashing lights and GIANT UN military men in blue and white carrying GIANT machine guns and flak jackets and helmets that was a little overwhelming as they descending and surrounded the compounded. Once secured the VP was allowed to exit his SUV and greet the awaiting Jola team!

VP meeting the team

The program was a huge success! Everyone was on point, the media person was happy, media was happy, the VP was happy, his entourage was happy – Jola was happy! Then folks who lived outside the compound were standing on their walls and tables so they could peer in and see the excitement! Was so much fun.

Ma Francis greeting the VP

Phew! So good was the program the VP agreed to lunch and talk to the team and the crowd – I was even able to secure photos of Dillon and BK shaking hands with the VP (of course I later realized I did not get a photo of me! Ugh). Dillon and BK were blown away and could not stop thanking me – BK even told me yesterday I did not believe you – and today you helped me to meet my very own Vice President –you are really a friend. So this is what we do yes?! Win-win for everyone!

My security guard, Dillon meeting the VP.

The ribbon cutting and shopping extravaganza was exciting! Did I mention I was in a suit and tie – running around and it was H O T! During the program the heat of the day sent me iphone into meltdown and Mariah’s Obsessed started playing in my pocket – OY! And it would not turn off the iphone was on fire and would not respond so I ran to the back of the compound and tried muffling it in the shade until it stopped – UGH!

There is one male trainer named "D" here is a photo of him. I am going to write more about him in a post - because I think he deserves his own post - I don't know a lot about him but I do know that out of the whole team he can actually design and create: he even designed and made the jacket he wore - he wants to have his own Label called D wear.

Dillon in back presenting the VP with a portfolio. Sorry about the
pic, it was crowded and the media was to my left so they prevail, eh?

Post on D: Dwear

Finally FINALLY the VP left (I was about to kick him out) and even more folks arrived to shop!

It's Over!

Well now that the best was over – I changed into shorts and a tshirt and completely passed out in the work room! That’s when the Jola team started thanking me and hugging me and we were all having a good time! I gave the iphone to one of the women and she wouldn’t put it down she loved taking pictures with the iphone.

What a great day for Jola! And for Liberia! And for Me!

Week 4- Just like anywhere else in the world....

As I celebrate week four living in Africa, I can't help but realize it is no different in some ways than any where else.

Racism, Prejudice, Office Politics, Relationship Issue, Meeting New People, Insecure Folks, Welcoming Folks, Bad Roads, Dirty Bars, trash on the street....please even Chicago and NYC, etc has roaches and rats, eh?

So we have no water - big woop! Water will get here eventually right?

So a quick note to say I made it this far - heading to Paynesville to work with Elfreda and Jola House and pick up some items.

I could not have made it this far without the support of my Family, my Friends, GOD, and of course Vamsi.

Living every day to the fullest!

Newspapers

Here in Monrovia there are plenty of newspapers.Some  counties also have their own papers. Getting a newspaper is not as easy as you think. There are no delivery people and there are no news stands oddly enough - they are not distributed to markets either.

You can find men walking around with bundles of papers, but usually I only see them when driving but today on my return from the market I bumped into an old fellow whose name was Augustin. I mentioned that my grandfather had a similar name and did his friends call him Augie for short? He said no and was confused but asked about my grandfather which I thought was sweet.

When I told him I wanted one of every newspaper he about panicked and changed the topic to business and so I walked away with about a dozen papers some from today and some from yesterday.

I asked him about his route and he told me he usually goes by this way every day at 10:30 -I would look for him! He was very happy to say the least.

Now these newspapers run from $40 Liberian Dollars(about 50 cents US) to $25 Liberian dollars (about 30 cents US).

Most of the papers are quite political and are biased towards one of the MANY  political factions here in Liberia - as much as we complain about the two party system in America - imagine not being able to count how many parties and what they actually believe versus their corrupt motivations for money and status.

Most papers are less then 10 pages and usually only just a few articles complaining or highlighting about something/somebody they don't like - and sometimes highlighting candidates from their party positively.

Two popular Newspapers

A lot of the paper is filled with official advertisements mostly USAID projects seeking employees or subcontractors. The quality of photos and reproduction is almost silly - if not embarrassing but they are produced as part business/part propaganda daily!

The writing quality well - let's just say sour English does not translate well to the written page. And those who have opinion columns tend to write phonetically and sound "sour." Well it is just plain silly.

Garden Update

The garden is moving along a little slower than I expected - just a teeny bit. Though I had a strong start, "growth" seems to be slowing down - lol. The tomatoes have sprouted and I am working in stages to test their durability in the sun and heat of the day. Mamie and Andrew want the tomatoes to succeed as much as I do - So we are tending to them like children. We have planted one tomato into the bed as a test. And after two days it seems to be ok. Time will tell.

Five Squash plants are now in the ground.

The squash are showing themselves to be quite hearty - we will see if they can stand the heat and sun - I am hoping that as they grow and spread they will help to create an energy in the garden that will welcome more plants.

Test Tomato in the bed.

The basil seems to be doing well and gaining self confidence. Andrew has transplanted some small shrubs and some are doing well and some are not.

Shrub Cutting Andrew planted 3 weeks past.

I asked Andrew why the yard has no grass and he said when no one was living here he got tired of tending to it so he just ripped it up - SIGH. I told him that was sad and so we are now watering the small patch of grass at the base of the palm tree and in just a few short days it has spread and turned emerald green - there is HOPE!

Patiently, I will wait for the beach grass to spread...

Tomorrow I head to the county for a meeting at Jola House so I will pick up some plants and bushes on my way back into town.

Soon enough my garden will be ready!

Jola House - Next Steps! (and witnessing war recovery)

Elfreda is in glasses and Himidie is in orange

Yesterday I had the pleasure of escorting WORLD ORT and Elfreda of Jola House to the local SPARK office at the University of Liberia. This outing was a whirlwind of learning!

SPARK

First it was so exciting to see NGO's (World ORT, based in the UK and SPARK based in Holland) collaborating to help the people of Liberia. Their work compliments each other. So while SPARK is building an entrepreneur incubator on the UL campus and will be able to coach Elfreda with a business plan, they will also be able to provide her with a small guaranteed loan. In addition they can provide her resources and coaching to secure additional investors and clients while giving her access to research and market analysis.

What was also exciting is that Richard, the Chief of Part for SPARK, Liberia hires Liberians. So it will some day be a self sustaining locally run and supported organization. And Himidie, seen in the photo, was a bright, savvy, young woman, who immediately assessed the situation and approved Elfreda immediately as above standard! So we were all so very excited. Next steps include a variety of forms and templates and then hands on coaching by Himidie. All this will take place by Wednesday next week!

What does this mean for Elfreda and Jola House:
1. She has the support she needs to feel affirmed and continue her mission.
2. She has the support of SPARK - to coach her business, build her business, and insure her sound financial success.
3. Gary and WORLD ORT are working to have Elfred create "trainers" of her work to go out into the bush counties and create small regional Jola House production centers. Giving Elfreda the leadership standing, and helping to supply her with "product."
4. She has me to help her as a colleague support system, Sales Training for her and her team, and marketing to help her build loyalty for her brand and her work right here in Liberia let alone abroad!

A very good day!

Himidie and Elfreda lunching at The Office

After the meeting Himidie and the SPARK team took us out to a local hot spot called The Office - serving local Liberian food in a trendy setting - it was a great "find."

The girls dormitory being refurbished.
The black canister is a water cistern to
which water is delivered by diesel truck.

Additionally, I learned about the war. Since the University is in the center of many government buildings, the university suffered during the Charles Taylor uprising. The building SPARK is residing is a bombed out girls dormitory that is just now being rebuilt. There are NO windows and each office has its own generator we walked up two flights of stairs using flashlights while workers all around us were "fixing" the building.

SPARK office - with no windows and three
office mates! Note how dark it is!

Amazing to witness the spirit of rebirth!

A worker repairing a cement wall - in the dark.

Jola House

Yea - me modeling an apron

Gary from World ORT introduced me to an amazing Liberian woman by the name of Elfreyda Mayson. Absolutely an amazing woman - she was lucky enough and privileged enough to "escape" Liberia during the  days of Samuel Doe. She left with her husband, an OBGYN, and her children. Her husband has a successful practice in America - and her children are all graduates of American Universities.

All aprons come with two matching
pot holders,

Elfreyda, with her degrees in business and interior design, and with the support of her family, has returned to Liberia and started an enterprise, Jola House - you can read about her organization at their austere website:

Jola House Creations

She is an amazing woman doing amazing work - I surely will be telling more about Jola House as I have agreed to help her with PR and Marketing- but for now I wanted to post some images of the hand dyed and hand made products Elfreyda is teaching her apprentices along with business management and professionalism.

Plush Doll

I need to call Elfreyda and check in on her open house this weekend - I promised to help her.

So here are some of the items available. I plan on helping her sell them in America - so get your check books ready - there is a resource for Elfreyda to ship her items with the help of the Liberian Government!

Hand dyed batik Bathrobe! Comes in many Colors!

Another Batik Robe

Hand Dyed IPad Cozy!

There is so much More!

My new friend Larry.

So yesterday with Larry and his friend Garu was interesting. Lawrence being older,  and few friends in Monrovia tends to go out of his way to be dramatic….and to say he shouldn’t be driving is an understatement! He drives too slow, in the middle of the road, and does not look ahead so we found ourselves always sitting behind a taxi that gets pulled over. HE did take the time to show me a few sites, including a bar we have never been to, A  lagune beach – which is behind the Chinese Embassy Compound and quite lovely with a quiet lagoon-of course this was too close to town for my comfort – meaning too close to raw sewage – let alone a lagoon that traps the sewage! But definitely a place to try out in the future for sure.

As we traveled towards our destination ( I thought we were going to Kendeja Resort – a “resort” built by BET President and a cohort of African Americans after the war and the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.) a random locally owned bar/café on the ocean somewhere “near” Kendeja. Well, fine – it is daylight and we are traveling with a Liberian friend, so surely we can’t get into too much trouble. As we travel the road to the airport (yes this is how you name roads in a war torn country) we get waved over by the police – and of course my stomach immediately turns. The police come over to the car and want to know who were where we came from and the like – this is how police folks secure bribes.

Larry and I became quick friends because we are both from NY, and even though he is a few decades my senior, a New Yorker is a New Yorker – of course sometimes I think I am Jewish which helped us to get along even further. Well needless to say Larry and I had little tolerance for such bribe techniques and we were quickly confused by the officer’s low comprehension for conversation. So we asked questions at the same time and we both feigned confusion – of course I was scared out of my mind – thinking how Vamsi is 8 hours away and if I mess up while he is gone: 1. I am on my own 2. He is not going to be happy.

We continue to ask the officer questions in return to his questions, “Where are we  from ? Now? Or our nationality? Or where we live? Or who we work for? (Of course, even though I am unemployed the standard response in these situations is nose in the air and speak the acronym USAID – this is how I swept through customs without even stopping my gait.

We could see that peppering the officer with questions was causing him a headache – ha! So upon seeing his weariness Larry then started to ask for directions – and even though I think the officer was still looking for a bribe – I gave a look of satisfaction and job well done to the officer, Larry gave a big ol dramatic why thank you so very much and pulled away – phew – now I really need a cocktail – but no we still had more to drive and Larry and his 4 x 4 skills were going to be put to use shortly.

Once we found the only “paved” road toward the ocean we realized this was the road to Kendeja – and Larry only knew that the bar we were looking for was nearby and we had to take one of the dirt alley’s between compounds and little huts to get to it – so after several attempts and Larry asking locals who had no idea what he was talking about – we finally found MYRTLE BEACH. Yes the bar café is called Myrtle beach – So in the compound we go – and driving through sand and hills it was beyond worrisome that Larry was going to flip the truck – and even though he was prompted by the security man to back in Larry of course pulled in – I knowing all along that surely we would be blocked later (I would come to find out I was right).

The parking lot is completely protected by a high wall – even higher than my own compound – and is quite large at least ¾ of an acre so I was very impressed – until I noticed the wild pheasants running about next to the burning trash heap – but c’est la vie, eh?

We enter the gate through the beach and PERFECTION! A few small palm leafed huts, tables, chairs and UMBRELLAS – not even the Lebanese owned popular expat locale Golden Beach has umbrellas – and even a dance floor, music, and CLEAN Bathrooms – so far so good. Even better was the lovely service from our waitress who could actually communicate with us – I was so pleased – and so excited – I ordered a bottle of wine – yes the very best in your cellar. And this fabulous Liberian owned establishment only serves the best, she brought me a chilled bottle of Carlo Rossi Chardonnay for $25! Hey, when in Rome…..

As a side note – when drinking at anyplace less than an “upscale” expat location, the rule is to only drink from unopened bottles – so in that case you even have to be careful with your water –you must immediately test the cap when the bottle arrives – because it is known that owners refill their bottles to save money. So my choice would have been beer – but as I tend not to drink beer (Local Liberian or Heinekin) – Lawrence and I agreed to share the bottle – lol.

All of a sudden I was transported to another world – here we sat with Liberians – in a safe wonderful quiet (no expats running about) setting, enjoying the surf, a casual conversation or two with other Liberians and the actually delightful bar food – I had fried chicken and chips for $5 – you can’t get that at an expat owned establishment – so I was super excited and it was super tasty – I thought I snapped a picture but somehow I did not – But I will back! I spoke with Sia, our server – I found out her schedule and told her I would return often only if she were here!

We spent a lazy afternoon, snacking, drinking, and conversation.

As we watched the sunset, we decided to leave as not wanting to drive after dark ( I was 100 percent for Larry not driving after dark!). We paid our bill and our respects to the owner and thanked everyone for their hospitality and promised our return.

Of course, as I knew, Larry had to jiggle the truck out of a very tight spot – once we escaped that near catastrophe, Larry wanted to take a  “short cut” he now remembered back to the main road – omg MISTAKE – Larry drove too fast so he wouldn’t get stuck in the sand and next thing we knew we were stuck in small circle of huts and trees, and a gaggle of children.

My fear was not that we would get hurt – my fear was that Larry was going to run over one of the children or even worse yet the well right behind us – I prayed very hard and Larry had to do a 250 point turn and the children looked OH SO confused running around with their brightly colored buckets jumping from the well pump – oh my goodness dear God protect these children from my crazy friend – then oh no out of nowhere a brood of chickens scattered followed by dogs – oh surely this was going to end badly – but no! By the grace of God and Larry’s experience – and probably my screaming from the back seat- we escaped hurting anyone or anything and finally made it back to the main road whence we come.

Driving back to town at sunset was long and slow – traffic was bumper to bumper as we live on Mamba Point and there is only one road to the peninsula – so we did finally and safely return – but of course by then I needed a cocktail.

It is not always a pleasant morning...

Today not so good.

Vamsi says I have more medicine than some
COUNTIES in Liberia.

For the past 24 hours I have been experiencing unpleasant abdominal indigestion, bowel movements and well just near diarrhea. I don’t think I am suffering from anything more than too much coffee, too much alcohol, a diet that is just not “regular,” and still recovering from Fridays exhausting journey. All that a little bit of nervous stress energy – which we all know I am prone to be a worrier when the worry virus takes over.

What’s to worry about – well little things seem big when you are already worrying LOL. So the “security” lights on the back of the house are out – and they won’t be replaced of course until Monday when “office hours” for the compound resume – I could surely make a stink – but then I would  be complaining on the weekend and that would lead to bad relations with the Lebanese management who were already here due to the cable being out and Mamie forgetting to tell them until after 6 on Friday – so they thought we were upset and came on SATURDAY morning which was embarrassing – because we really don’t care nor watch that much tv but just wanted it fixed for when we do – Mamie has been a source for many a miscommunication because she wants to properly “represent/advocate” on our behalf.

I have decided that this week I am going to bring an “interpreter” to the house so I can speak with Mamie about hygiene, priorities,  and external communication in general.

So surely, the lights are not big of a deal normally, except that I live in a fishbowl – and there is plenty of security and compound staff that mill about – and surely they are not trying to look in or listen and such – but surely they have free range – and it just is one sense of security that is now missing. It is even more uncomfortable because Vamsi left this morning for two nights and three days and well – A definitive sense of being alone – he may or may not be able to call as mobile phone reception is not all over the entire country – and as he travels to different counties he is extremely busy and of course exhausting. Traveling is not easy – I know this now from my simple trip to Bensenville – I can’t imagine traveling for 8/10 hours on these “roads” and then having to meet with your regional staff and the government staff.

So not returning until Tuesday evening will surely leave me with a sense of being on “high guard.”

That and this persistent stomach issue – of course there are so many “things” one can contract from so many “sources” that your mind circles when you are already not feeling well – Do I have worms (yes worms) we already know two other people who have suffered from worms. But I check my stool with utmost attention when feeling even the slightest upset stomach. This is the way of visiting Africa – and no, there is no vaccination for worms – you just do your best to drink bottled water and not eat any “fresh foods” from unknown sources.  Here at the house any vegetable or fruit is washed in a bleach and filtered water solution – even limes for my cocktails or soaked for five minutes. I walk around with wet ones and constantly disinfect anything that comes from a store. And when the tv repairman came afterwards I had to wipe everything, the remote, the door handles, the windows, to keep possible contamination as most folks don’t wash their hands.

How I wash fresh food

Of course there are other bacteria and micro organisms – and I do my best to avoid them – and I have plenty of medicine a closet really. But it is all so prohibitive –

Even making simple breakfast can be a chore – Though I procure eggs from the Lebanese supermarket and they are imported from Europe – they still need to be washed. The onion and tomatoes need to be soaked before sautéing. Oh then there is the actual gas stove – seems like a plus eh? Except you have to remember to put on shoes to light the stove because otherwise you will get shocked/mildly electrocuted. You think I would have learned by now – not to touch the stove LOL

Our secret weapon...

Yes the electric flow is not even nor grounded – so every time I light the stove I risk a few more nerve cells in my body – and to say the feeling is unpleasant…ah I don’t want to worry my friend Tommy Engel too much as he reads this to his mother.

But then it is time to light the stove to start breakfast and sigh – the power goes out. So now I sit and wait will be it five minutes? 20 minutes?

These are first world problems – but they do become exhausting – so I will nibble on fresh pineapple and some cold instant coffee in hopes that YES the power is back on and I run to the stove to light the burner before it goes out – and YES – I forgot to put on shoes and now my arm hurts and surely in a month I will have lost all the nerve cells in my right arm…

Sigh- so I will do my best to chin up, pray, know that I am in good hands, that all is right, that I am healthy, and this too shall pass. The new normal will become comforting soon enough.