I think this is perhaps my favorite photo taken in my time in Liberia thus far.
Yesterday we were driving from work, on our way to a screening of Iron Ladies of Liberia (a documentary exploring Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's first year in office, airing on PBS on April 9) at the U.S. Embassy, when I saw it. It was being driven by a man wearing the trademark yellow and red uniform, and it is captured above. It was a DHL motorbike.
Watching the driver weave down a pot-holed street crowded with cars, people, and probably some animals, I was amazed. I had heard it cost over $100 to deliver an envelope via DHL, and a few hundred dollars to ship small packages. What was the driver delivering to this small store, crowded in between dozens of others on this Benson Street block? What path did this package take, from its drop-off point to this dusty street? And where in God's name is the DHL office in Monrovia??
Shipping something by DHL used to be so easy at work. We had an account number. We had mail guys who came around to our desks to pick up and deliver packages or envelopes multiple times a day. We knew the package would get to its destination the next day.
Every day I encounter something here that I used to take for granted -- and most are far more meaningful than this -- but seeing that DHL motorbike really struck a chord! I think I may frame that picture when I get home.
2 comments:
It was my package in the bike!!! I knew if I kept trying things would find a way to you! Now let's just see if the people who got it can find out how to get it to you!
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's niece or something like that was in my com arts class freshman year. pretty crazy.
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