The excitement for my journey to Liberia started from home, where i invited friends, on Friday 8th December 2012, to come for a 'farewel party' as we call it, when someone is travelling abroad for quite a long time. Family and friends attended and i was showered with words of encouragement and caution from those who spoke in the small function. I was really encouraged, and tears were almost dropping as i imagined leaving behind friends and family members i have been used to. I couldnt imagine how life would in a foreign country, where you dont know anybody, but i believed i will have a great time, working with AtionAid Liberia as an Inspirator.
The next morning was my traveling date and all was set. Everything was packed, ready for the trip. by 6.30pm, the Taxi man, Adam, who is a great friend of mine arrived and we were all set for the airport. I was accompanied by my mother, Auntie and brother. Within 45 minutes we were at the airport and i immediately checked in. After checking in, i got to the lounge. People were there, some sleeping on the chairs, others moving around in the Duty free shops to buy stuff, others did some window shopping and as for me, i took my sit and was relaxed.
After a few minutes, i checked on the schedule screen, and was shocked. The flight to Monrovia had been delayed, from 9.30 to 12.45pm, this got people worried and everyone went to enquire on whats up. the plane scheduled for Monrovia had some mechanical issues, so we had to be given another. However, this did not discourage me in any way.
At 1300 hrs, a call was made for us to board the plane and one could see the relief in peoples faces, everyone took their bags and we were all set for the trip. Within half an hour, the plane was in the air, heading to Accra then Monrovia. Everything was usual in the plane, you know...lunch drinks and all stuff that happens there.
Our trip took approximately 4 hours to Accra, 45 minutes rest, then 1hr 30 min to Monrovia. Upon arrival, i was welcomed with smiles from ActionAid Liberia Staff, who were so friendly and excited to have us. We were 4 in total, we didnt know each other in the plane, until we were welcomed. We bought our sim cards, jumped in the AAL Landcruise and headed straight to the hotel. We checked in and got some time to freshen up. Within an hour we were done, and started moving around to get dinner. It was tough but fun experience, moving around, comparing the cost of meals. The cost varied, and communication was a bit challenging. They speak very fast with a strong voice and a strong dialect that we had to repeatedly say....'come again please', whenever we ordered or asked anything. We roamed for close to 45 minutes, and later on settled for a hotel, next to our guest rooms/hotel. We had our 6 dollar meals as we had a chat. It was amazing to find out that Liberia is a dual currency state, they use USD and LD(Liberty Dollar). You buy anything with USD, you are given your change in Liberty Dollars, so exciting and we had to be cateful. When we got our change, we did the calculations just to make sure its correct, and this was problematic to a point that we gave up.
Thereafter, we went to rest, in preparation for the weekend....
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