We finished the first period of the semester and so the
students had a week off last week.
I accompanied a group of teachers to Nimba County, which is across the
country, for the National Baptist Convention. The principal at Ricks Institute,
Dr. Menjay, was running for President of the convention and the rest of us went
to support him. He won after an
intense, very political election.
To
get to Nimba County we took 15 passenger vans down a road that should be
recreated as a ride at Busch Gardens. It did things to my stomach that even the
road to Max Patch can’t beat. What should have taken about 6 hours took 12, and
I’m confident I will never make that trip again.
Once
there it was a beautiful area. Surrounded by mountains and a cool climate it
was a nice change and made me miss my Blue Ridge Mountains. I got a pedicure
for less than $1, and a handmade African dress for $5. I got to experience how wealthy
Liberians live and enjoy some American comforts for a couple days (hot showers,
cheese, cake, and a beer fridge that could compete with my dad’s). I prefer my
life at Ricks, but I learned a lot.
I
also walked to the Guinea border with a couple of my friends one day. It only
took about 30 mins each way. I
learned that you are not supposed to take pictures of “their side” of the
mountains. The Guinea guard took my camera, although I hadn’t actually taken
any pictures yet, and was yelling up a storm. Luckily one of the guys I was
with is also the French teacher at Ricks, so he was able to talk to the guy and
gave him the equivalent of about $2 to get it back. I was very thankful to not have to call home with that bad
news.
Shout out to Beth Hardin. When we got back from the
trip at 3am on Sunday I was very hungry and my apartment was completely empty
of food, except for the two Slim Jims Beth packed in my Liberia survival bag.
Thank you thank you thank you.
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107?! That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you survived that drive- if it's worse than Max Patch... I feel your pain. Hope your driver was as good as Debra. ;)
Love you!
Love the shout out! So glad the survival kit is aiding in your survival. Hate the ride was so rough, that made me feel physically ill for you. I like how you prefer your life at Rick's to the wealthy one. You're a cool chick.
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