After four flights, my arrival into Liberia was complete. Going through customs was no problem, however, retrieving my luggage from the carousel was something that I might compare to being on the NYSE floor (because I know what that is like). The room was overcrowded, people were shouting and airport workers were taking off random pieces of luggage. Trying to remain calm (but perspiring like mad), I made my way to a clearer area where I was able to retrieve my luggage and move to the next step of finding my ride.
Outside of the airport a lot of people were waiting for others to be picked up. It gets dark in Liberia around 7 PM, and since my flight got in at 7:20, my chances of recognizing anyone were narrowed. A man with a megaphone approached me and asked me where my final destination was. I told him Phebe Hospital, and he began shouting PHEBE HOSPITAL from his megaphone. Immediately, I found the people who were there to pick me up!
That night, we stayed at the Luther Church in Liberia’s compound located in Monrovia. For breakfast, we ate a nice hotel (electricity and water anytime of the day). A Danish missionary showed up there as and since the people I was eating with knew him, he joined us as well. I related to him how Grand View’s roots are Danish Lutheran and we talked about the difference between happy and sad Danes. It almost felt like being at church on a Sunday back home.
Speaking of back home, Liberians sometimes remind me of people from the Midwest—hard working people who like to laugh.
speaking of people who like to laugh, this post had me LOLing. "Phebe hospital! Phebe hospital!" Did you feel so exposed during that chant into the megaphone? Like the whole airport was being notified of your intentions? Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteWell, this post will give you something to do during the dark Liberian evenings. Missing you here. Bethany has taken your place on the futon. It's just one nurse after the next...
Will miss you in the Apostle Islands. Keep up the good work. And please keep the blogs coming. I would be a "follower" of you, but I guess I don't have cool internet aps, so I'll just check it old fashioned style.
wow kristen i did not know you were in liberia! are you there for the summer? it will be fun to hear all your stories of your adventures! keep us updated!
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