Marking 10 years in Liberia

I have been writing Marking 10 Years in Liberia in my head for at least 3 months now. I want to mark this occasion by writing about it because I feel I need to take stock, look back, and, see where I am going.   

When you tell someone you have spent 10 years in Liberia, you get all sorts of reactions and faces: "Wow," "Really?" "Why?" accompanied by raised eyebrows, concerned faces and puzzlement. Clearly, Liberia is not a place where you are supposed to have spent a decade in.   

I'm going to mark 10 years in Liberia by writing a quasi memoir of sorts. 

Question is: what is it going to be about? 

My journey as a woman? The story of how I traded aid for trade? The story of how my boyfriend was murdered by Chinese criminals? The story of how I decided to take over his company, met the man of my life and, created a second life? My struggle to understand and appreciate Liberia? The story of how I have shed multiple layers of identity and, added some new ones? The story of how I struggled to make a life in the world's poorest country? Is this the story of a Pakistani woman? 

I could just tell the story from the start and, tell it in a long narrative. It'll be nice to relate the last 10 years. 

But, I think what I really want to write about is what was it like to live and work here for the last decade. What was it like working for the UN in Liberia? What was it like to experience a loved one getting murdered here and, having to deal with the aftermath? What is it like running a business here? And, most importantly, what is day to day life like in sweet Liberia?

So, having 'thunk' a little bit about it, I'm going to start writing my quasi memoir.  

Good morning!

My morning walks aren't giving me that adrenalin-pumping, I'm-so-excited-to-convert-into-a-morning-person, zip-a-dee-doo-daa kind of feeling anymore. I wonder why. I suppose it is because ever since I've been back from my Sengal-Gambia holiday, I never managed to get back into a rhythm. I was doing work outs three times a week at the break of dawn, and thoroughly relishing my morning time. But now, I struggle to wake up early in the morning twice a week and, even then I'm so grumpy. 

But taking these photos this morning with my HTC Phone did cheer me up. For a bit. Until I came to the office and, started screaming and yelling at my poor staff. 

I love listening to the bats in the morning

I had a great workout this morning from 6:30 to 8:00 AM. I was happy to be up, I was enjoying the exercises and, knew I was set to have a productive and cheerful day. 

I also loved hearing the bats!  

Good morninggggggg Monrovia!

Nerd Nite

We attended Nerd Nite last night with our techie, Jonathan Barwon. 

The presentations were: "Can Behavioral Economics inform Public Policy?"; "God, Drugs, and Evolution"; and "Lebanon 101".

The fellow who presented "Lebanon 101" told us his great grandfather arrived in Sierra Leone in 1896! I would love to read a book tracing the history of Lebanese traders in West Africa. 

We also got a great business idea from the "Behavioural Economics" presentation. The presenter gave us an example of how the Economist uses 'decoy' subscription offers to scam its readers. We think we can turn this into a cunning marketing plan. So watch out for that. 

Some sights of Monrovia

So, I was on a marketing trip to meet clients and, got the opportunity to take some pictures of Monrovia. 

View of Broad Street and a car lot through barbed wire. 

View of the Milton Richards building from the current Central Bank

The new Central Bank - looks swanky!

Do you know what I love these days?

The coconut cookie you get with the cappuccino at Mamba Point Hotel.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Liberia's history and identity is deeply intertwined with the United States of America. The two share many symbolisms and, among them is Thanksgiving! The Liberian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good morning from the rooftop

I was up on the rooftop today for my morning work out and, took this pictures to remember the moment. 

Kavita's clothes hanging to dry made me smile and, I couldn't wait to go back down and squeeze her cheeks. 

And, here's a picture of my container gardening: nutella bottles, candle vases, jam jars, and Nido cans:

I would like to work as a janitor in your office

 Just spotted a vacancy announcement for an office cleaner from a major international organisation whose objective is to develop IT in Liberia. The advert asks for a CV and 3 job references. I imagine the interview for the successful short listed candidate would go like this: 

"Thank you for interviewing me. Yes, sir, I am qualified to work in your office as a janitor. I don't have educational qualifications to match since I come from a socio-economic class that cannot afford university education. I have life experience as a member of struggling class and, have working here and there as domestic help for expatriates until they go back home. It's been my dream to clean the toilets of an international organisation working to develop my country's IT. I promise you, I won't let you down. I will bring my own cleaning tools and materials. I only use toxin-free cleaning agents since I'm also environmentally conscious. I do not have access to a computer to type my CV and I could not get in touch my previous bosses who no longer live in Liberia but I am qualified."

So, I posted this on Facebook as a status rant and one of my friends and, also an employer in the mining industry, told me that this is actually government policy:  "That is what the Liberian Ministry of labour asked every big company to do. And the advert cost more than 2 cleaner per month!"

And, I wrote:  "I am very confused and rather shocked. I wonder what the rationale is behind this policy. Is it it to give equal opportunity to all the would-be janitors? Is it to professionalise/standardise the recruiting process? Is it to raise the wages for janitors?"

We met an amazing cyclist today

We had the good fortune to meet an amazing personality today: a Nepalese cyclist, Furtemba Sherpa who has been cycling since 2003 to spread the message of peace and environmental protection. Liberia is his 100th country! 

"My name is Furtemba Sherpa and I am from Nepal (land of Mt Everest, the highest peak of the world) which is nestled between India and China. Cycling is my foremost passion and I have been cycling around the world since 2003 advocating world peace and environmental protection by endorsing the goodness of cycling hoping people will be encouraged to travel on their bicycle instead of an automobile. I have travelled through 100 countries so far and witnessed great pain and sufferings amongst people due to war and oppression - families torn apart by their ideological differences. Insecurities have led people to distrust and lose harmony with each other. Throughout my journey, I carry Lord Buddha's peace flag from his birth place Lumbini, Nepal. I have come to the realisation that a healthy environment and a peaceful world are deeply linked to each other - we cannot have one without the other. I remind people I meet that all of us are world citizens transcending borders, gender, race, religion and that what happens in one part of the world affects the rest of us."

School girls

Kavita and I nipped into Monroe Chicken next door to get some lunch and, just as we were turning left, we were accosted by a whole bunch of school girls. I've often seen them coming down Randall Street but today I got an opportunity to get a few 'snaps.' It felt like meeting thousands of flowers in bloom. It also reminded me of Malala and, how she is seen as a threat by extremists for simply wanting an education. 

Stuff you can buy on Randall Street

Educational posters, just some of the stuff you can buy on Randall Street from the street vendors. You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, egg sandwiches, doughnuts, rat poison, fake perfumes, shoes, socks, and tea kettles.