It’s been so long since I’ve updated this blog. What can I say? The muses haven’t blessed me with the
writing “bug” in quite some time.
However, I have plenty of time on my hands today and figured that it was
time. Here are a couple of
anecdotes from the past months.
Please forgive me; they aren’t necessarily in order.
Party Time:
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My teacher's assistant, Theresa, and me |
One of my co-worker’s “sons” got married. The reception was held in the gym on
our school’s compound. (Our gym is
one of two in the country.) I
helped to decorate the night before and the morning of the wedding. It was one of the first times that I
felt I could truly give back and help out a friend who has helped me
acclimate.
I enjoyed attending the reception. Liberian wedding receptions are something to be seen. First of all, the wedding dress
reminded me of an 80’s bride, replete with puffy sleeves. Second, the seating at the reception is
done according to importance. The
family of the bride and groom, the clergy, the dignitaries, and the school
staff had special tables. We were
provided with food and drink by the wedding hostesses. The others in attendance served
themselves at a buffet line after we had eaten.
I wore a traditional African dress on which I received many
compliments. I was so proud to have
chosen the lappa myself and have it
made by a tailor.
Wulki Farms: For
the first time since I’d arrived in Liberia, I left the confines of Monrovia
and headed out of the city.
The city of Monrovia is unlike the rest of Monrovia. At times it feels stuffy. There are so many people in such a
small place! Plus, once you get
out of the city, you realize how lush the rest of the country is with its
sprawling hills of greenery.
Ed, his girlfriend Alyssa, Javier, and I trekked about an
hour and a half out of the city to Careysburg. Just past the school where Alyssa works is Wulki farms. The land is gorgeous. The farm boasts chickens, cows, pigs,
crocodiles, ostriches, etc.
Additionally, there’s a large series of pools complete with slides! The restaurant on the property serves food
grown (and slaughtered) on the grounds.
The owner’s house was the biggest I’ve seen in Liberia. There were many limousines parked out
front of the house; I wonder if there were foreign dignitaries staying there.
After touring the farm, we dropped Alyssa off at St.
Anthony’s, a boarding school.
Seeing that school provided me with a better idea of a traditional
Liberian school.
Getting chummy: The
parents at school are very gracious.
Twice the teachers from my school have been hosted by parents for nights
out of eating, drinking, and being merry.
The first time, we were provided with all the accoutrements of a
Lebanese dinner at one of the local hotels. I LOVE Lebanese food and gorged on kebbeh, kebabs, and baba
ganoush.
All the parents that attended that dinner were Lebanese, so
I learned a lot about the Lebanese community here in Liberia. Many of them were born in Liberia. However, because of Liberia laws, they
are not considered Liberian citizens.
Additionally, non-Liberians are not allowed to own land. This discovery shocked me because the
majority of stores and restaurants that I frequent are managed by Lebanese
familes.
Later, our school staff was hosted by the head of Total in
Liberia. Total is a French
gasoline company. The house was
magnificent! The conversation was
even better. The French couple has
a child in my class, and it was enlightening to hear how he goes home after a
full day of school and continues lessons in French at home. I admire his parents for maintaining
his home country’s language.
Additionally, I am always in awe to hear of the places where these
families have lived. The pictures I saw of Benin made me begin dreaming of
other places in Africa that I want to visit before I move back to the States.
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"White woman! Take our picture." |
Blue Lake: Alyssa,
the director’s girlfriend, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia a few
years ago. A friend invited her
back to Tubmanburg, which is about 2.5 hours outside of Monrovia, for her 1st
wedding anniversary party. I was
invited to tag along, and I am so glad that I did.
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A run-down church on the way to the anniversary
party |
While in Tubmanburg, I saw the Peace Corps housing where
Alyssa had lived. Let’s just say
that it made my apartment on campus look like Shangri-la.
Before we attended the anniversary party, we went to Blue
Lake. At one time, iron was mined
in Bong County. After the mining
stopped, the area was filled with water.
Thus, Blue Lake.
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Blue Lake |
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The anniversary party for Amos & Meenie was
held underneath a tent of woven palm leaves. |
We took a quick dip in the refreshing water. The little boys taking a swim did not
hide their gawking at me – a white girl in a bikini. As soon as I got in the water, they surrounded me like
minnows. I wish I had a picture of
that!