Reflections

As I prepare to head into my final three weeks in Liberia the time has come for reflection. I have had some amazing experiences filled with joys and frustrations here in the Land of Liberty. I've been praised for leaving my country, family and friends far behind, volunteering my time to help the people of Liberia; I've also been called a "motherfucker" and a "rich white man" (apparently this guy wasn't familiar with Peace Corps Volunteers' tax bracket). As the previous sentence alludes, the former good is much greater than the latter bad.

I've met the now mediocre Peace Corps challenges again: endless curious kids, language barriers, cultural barriers (and the eventual bridges that are built over them) and the rest of the vast array of complications that come from being a Peace Corps Volunteer in a strange land.

I have enjoyed my Liberian experience thoroughly. I gained new perspectives on a new continent and I am leaving a fundamentally different person. Liberians are exceptionally friendly and positive people. Their land, torn asunder by war, is slowly coming together again. They still have far distances to travel, but they have the endurance to persevere. I wish I could stay for next year's elections, truly a watershed moment for Liberia. Will there be a change of guard? Will President Sirleaf continue her reign? Will Prince Johnson, a butcher and former rebel war lord, get voted in? Will a former football star, George Weah, get a chance at the helm? Whatever direction Liberia ends up taking, I truly hope the Liberians pick the best future possible.

Unfortunately I haven't had time or until recently, the internet access to keep up with this blog like I had wanted, but I have taken notes so maybe one day I'll type them up. I may have to change the blog's name to "The Iraqi Liberian Mongolian American". This September I'll be headed to Iraq to teach English.

American Identity

"There are too many white people in America"

Liberian Perspective of America

"From America, it's a seven minute drive to Heaven."

5 Brothers

"I lost my 5 brothers; so, I'm alone".

"The whole city [Monrovia] turned upside down".

More Quotes

"The rebel stuck the gun right in my mouth. I said 'Shoot'. He said 'You are a strong man'"

Child Soldiers

"Change the world with children" he said reading a WFP poster.

"Yea, you see the world in their eyes" another man replied.

"Yeah, I saw this in their eyes in 1990-" (Man constructs a gun with his two hands and points it)

Civil Unrest

"civil unrest is presently on going in Voinjama b/w Muslim n Christian. Pls avoid Voinjama travel" - text message from Peace Corps last friday.