Went and had a beer and sushi with my co-worker Klara last night at this super nice ex-pat, NGO worker, hotel/restaurant. If you had told me I’d be dining on sushi on a balcony overlooking the ocean on my first full day in Monrovia, I never would have believed you! The division between the UN and NGO worker community and the locals is HUGE and very uncomfortable… it’s so unfortunate and yet the stories I’ve heard of NGO workers in Africa are all starting to make much more sense now.
This morning we went to church. SO very interesting… watching the parade of traditional clothing was probably my favorite part! Then it was off to a brunch and then a little walk along the beach (little being the key word, as most parts of the beach here in Monrovia are very unsafe).
Our plan was to get a driver (as we are not allowed to walk, take a taxi, and there is no public transportation) to give me/us a tour of the city… Klara and Jackson had never had a proper tour either! However, that plan was squashed as it seems that there is a big soccer match today and the on duty driver, along with the others, chose to go to the game. SO… we are stuck in the compound… in our jail cells (seriously barred windows, three locks on each gate and door)… made worse by the fact that the sun is out and we only have until dark to go out and explore!
Jackson and I have a meeting in the morning and then we’re off on the 6-7 hour road trip to Sanniquellie in Nimba County. We went shopping at the supermarket yesterday to stock up for at least a month out there as there are very minimal supplies available out there. It was hilarious! Jackson is from Uganda and has never grocery shopped a day in his life (that’s woman’s work) and then there’s me… by no means a chef and definitely out of my element with the interesting brands and products on the store shelves! The blind leading the blind, and somehow we still spent over $100! Nourishing food isn’t cheap around these parts… mainly because it’s all imported I guess.
Anyway, I now find myself wishing we could go out, and yet quite pleasantly surprised to be sitting on a balcony feeling the ocean breeze… with Princess Bride playing in the background as Jackson has found my small DVD collection and chosen the best one first… enjoying my last day before heading out to the field.
Blessings, KK
So happy to hear from you and that all is going well. Kaitlin had a really nice party yesterday and was sooo thrilled with your note and flowers. Hope we get to hear from you somehow when you are on site. Glad you got a little rest first. Love you Kate.
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