I landed in Monrovia around 6 p.m. local time on Wednesday (that's 5 hours ahead of EST), and it seems I had an appropriate introduction to life here. One of the other volunteers and I were on the same flight, and as we entered the tent where one picks up their luggage (see attached pic of airport to get a glimpse of the Roberts Int'l Airport), each of us found only one bag, though we had checked two. As we were dictating our address and a description of our lost bags to the women working behind a makeshift counter, who were writing everything down on paper, a truck pulled up and there was a flurry of activity. Turned out the last container on the plane hadn't yet been unloaded, and our lost luggage was quickly found. I was incredibly happy, as I wasn't sure how I was going to have a satisfying shower without any soap or face wash (never mind surviving the rainy season without my poncho and galoshes, or coping without my clif bars).
The drive from the airport to our apartment took about 45 minutes. It went from dusk to darkness, and I noticed there were very few lights along the two-lane highway. People were walking along the edge of the road, and some were burning garbage a bit further away. Accompanied by one of our new colleagues, we drove to one of the restaurants in town and promptly ordered some Lebanese food (it's everywhere here). Our apartment is in a very secure compound, and is incredibly nice. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a spacious living room, and a pool, Melrose-Place style.
The past couple of days have focused on orientation, to both our work and the city. Our official first day is Monday, and I think we're all eager to start. Originally, I was hesitant to jump into a position that was based in an office, and someone told me that I should wipe all existing images of NYC offices out of my head. Good advice, by the way.
It seems too early to have a real sense of the city, but soon enough I'll have more to write on that front. Oh and for those of you who were concerned about my getting behind the wheel in west Africa, worry no more. We are not allowed to drive ourselves, and have wonderful drivers who take us to and from work, and around town. Apparently getting into an accident here is a huge deal. (Or perhaps my mom called the U.S. Embassy to have a new policy implemented -- it's unclear at this point.)
8 comments:
alex, your blog is so well written, and, at times, hilarious!!! melrose place style..i love it! i miss you, can't wait to read more about your adventures! ill write more en email prive! miss you already!
jm
You can't use the phrase "Melrose Place Style" and not include pictures of the complex. I think that is in an official rulebook somewhere or part of someone's platform...
Glad you made it safely and look forward to reading/seeing more.
Abbu, Find out the schedule of flights into that airport for me. It looks like they get about one plane a month and I want to start plannning my visit! Was the driving route back to your complex something like this....make a right turn, drive for an hour, make a left turn at the railraod tracks, drive for another hour?
Yay, you're there safely! I too am very curious about ths Melrose-style complex. But remember: it's not really MP-style until someone you thought you'd successfully murdered returns from the dead to blow the place up.
mama! glad you made it to liberia safely! your blog has already gotten off to an amusing start, i can't wait to see what's next:)
I love it! Yor descriptions are hilarious. I also love the airport with the handwritten name on the building. But yes, I agree with the others, get pics of your complex up, you know how I love those pools...ahhhhhh an apartment pool in Liberia...maybe I should come visit just for that.
Alexis, who knew Liberia and SD (or really Nebraska) could be so similar... So glad you arrived safely! Can't wait to hear more.
yaa Alexis! Thrilled to hear that you have arrived safely and absolutely cannot wait to hear more about your adventures... missing you already.
jneene
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