Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Liberia's Crowning of Their Lone Star
One by one, as the proceedings developed, dignitary and delegate after dignitary and delegate walked down the red carpet toward the elaborately decorated podium, the only thing tainting the atmosphere, I thought, were the red, white, and blue flags strung overhead across the red stripe leading to the stage. Scenes of ’83 Cameros and ’86 Hyundai Ponies flashed through my mind. I was in my element, a used car lot! Wait! Snap out of it, this is a presidential inauguration ceremony. There were dignitaries, representatives, and heads of state from countries such as: Iceland, China, Japan, the United States (Laura Bush and Condoleeza Rice), Canada, Germany, Iceland, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Niger, Nigeria (and man was their main security guard massive), Cote d’Ivoire, and many others. Condoleeza Rice seemed to get the biggest applause from the audience, besides Madame Ellen of course, apparently because of her stint with the Peace Corps in Liberia. Don’t quote me on any of this…remember, I’m only a game show host/used car salesman! The ceremony proceeded with many of the African heads of state arriving either midway through the ceremony and some even after the Iron Lady was sworn is as President. Personally, I’m wondering what sort of message they wanted to send by arriving so late. I’m sorry, but things DO happen for a reason, I’m just trying to figure out what exactly that reason is or was.
Now it was time for Ellen to set the stage, and the next six years, with her inauguration speech; a piece of writing that, I believe, will go down in history for its genuinely caring and empathetic tone. There was not one Liberian whowas left out. She touched on her plans for every member of society, from civil servants to ex-combatants…from the ordinary village labourer to the Speaker of the House. Her way of getting the attention of certain individuals was impeccable. She singled out the Speaker of the House, Edwin Snow, my neighbour and third in the chain of command, about corruption as well as personally addressing those folks listening to her speech on radio in those remote locations in Liberia. Her words were something to the effect of “…to those common people listening on radio and watching on television across the country…listen up! I’m talking to you!” A speech that lasted approximately 43 minutes (I recorded the entire thing) sent shivers down my spine and I know I wasn’t alone. This is a lady that, I believe, genuinely cares about her country; a lady who was imprisoned and went into exile for opposing Charles Taylor’s regime. This is a lady who ran in an election against Charles Taylor and lost miserably, a loss which preceded the murder and inhumane treatment of tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people. This is a lady who had the strength not to back down in the face of enormous odds. If President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf cannot pull Liberia out of dark and despair, God help us all!
Following the swearing in of the newly-elected President and Vice-President the focus shifted to a cocktail on the South Lawn of the Presidential Mansion. After bets of who could be the first one to get George Bush’s daughter’s phone number, something that never materialized, and pictures with Miss Liberia, I proceeded to sit down under one of many UN tents set up to provide shade to the estimated 4,000 attendees of the ceremony. The heads of state had a private cocktail on the upper floor of the mansion, one part of the ceremony that I bet would have Secret Service written all over it. The newly inaugurated President made an appearance on the South Lawn, heavily surrounded by security guards, but I made no attempt to document the happenings. At that point the ever-developing heat of wearing that hideous polyester suit of mine was taking over and devouring me. I was pretty much ready to go to the beach and surf the rest of the day away.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Bong Mines: Hidden Paradise in the Middle of Liberia
Endless expanse of mountainous landscape serving as a playground for four young kids named Marcel, John Mark, Suzi, and yours truly. We drove past the place where I knew the geocache is supposed to be located and continued on down a long dirt road where we came upon open pit after open pit which have now turned into giant lakes that house who knows what kind of creatures. As we peered across this giant open pit mining lake we saw a lovely plateau across the lake that looked perfect for future camping outings. Driving along the side of the lake, we saw potential passage to this plateau and we continued along the dirt road until we drove right upon this desired destination. Standing on top of this plateau, looking down 30ft or so to the dark crystal blue water, getting scorched by the heat, there was only one option that we saw available to us at this time and that was to jump off this 30ft into the inviting water below. One by one, we launched ourselves off this cliff into the water below. Getting back up the cliff was the hardest part of all. There were times where I’d be up 8-10ft or so and then the rock I was using as a handhold would bust off and I would have to jump backwards back into the water. I spent so much energy on the climbing up the cliff that, combining that with the beating heat of the sun, once was enough for me. We decided that we are DEFINITELY going to be doing some camping there in the near future. Why didn’t we find out about this oasis earlier?! Enjoy the views!