Power walking

Liberians move at a casual, comfortable pace. There's no need to rush. In this climate, you get hot and sweaty when you step outside, so you can only imagine what happens when you raise your heart rate.

If it's not already obvious, my love of the power walk makes it clear that I'm not from around here.

Numerous people (including strangers) at work have commented on my pace ("Alexis, you are quick in moving!"). Our secretary knows I'm coming when she hears my shoes clicking on the tiles. Colleagues call my name when I head down the hallway. I know I should try to be a little less obviously American, but I'm finding this is one thing I can't give up. I just wish I didn't scare so many people when I overtake them in the hallway.

In another not from around here moment, I tried to order a coffee with soy milk at a local hotel. In my defense, this is perhaps the only hotel in Monrovia with a website, so I figured it was worth a shot. After explaining soy milk several different ways, the waiter finally laughed and said, "Soy milk? This is Africa!"

I drank my coffee black.

P.S. Also in my defense, they DO sell soy milk at the supermarket here, so the request wasn't as outrageous as the waiter thought.