Ammon:
We went to the National Museum of Liberia. Then took a short drive to Providence Island and saw The Tree Of Peace which was made of AK’s, M4’s, RPG’s, and other firearms. Even the roped off barrier was made of RPGs. Then saw a really old well (still working), then drove to DUCOR HOTEL. It was the first luxury hotel in Africa. And right next to it was a statue of their first president. And then we went to a grocery store called Stop And Shop, and dad got MTN dew and I got “sugar” cereal. Then we took a sorta long drive to Tropicana Beach. I got buried in sand 2 times, and the waves were “too big” for me to play in.
LaReita:
Brief Liberia history: Liberia was founded July 26, 1847 (note the date-close to Pioneer Day) by freed American slaves sent by the “American Colonization Society”. Among others, Lincoln was a supporter of the ACS. The freed slaves became the ruling class – the “masters” – over the 16 local tribes. There was at least one Liberian president that tried to get the “Americos” to integrate and allow the locals representation, but he was ousted. After 142 years of tensions, civil war erupted where 250,000+ Liberians died between 1989-2003. Although today they don’t call it a war – it was a ‘civil conflict’.
We hired Chris Sullivan’s (a FMF friend) former Liberian mission companion (Toye) to be our tour guide for the day, and Toye’s taxi friend. The National Museum of Liberia has different sections, including their equivalent of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall that holds official government functions. We even got to stand at the presidential podium when he delivers speeches. Saw the 3 main presidential limosuines (well, one was an armored Land Rover for war lord Charles Taylor, complete with his ‘throne’ back seat.) Went through the museum created by the first president post-war, who also was the first woman president. Not quite up to USA and European standards, but they are doing the best with what they got, and trying bring the people together to heal.
Visited Providence Island, where the ACS settlers first arrived. It is also in stages of being renovated. While walking down the cement ramps to the island, you can still see bullet holes. Their nation is still healing.
Drove to the highest point in the capital city (Monrovia) where the first 5 star hotel in Africa was built by Pan-Am in 1960, and run by IHG – Ducor Hotel, or Ducor Palace. In 1987 when tensions were rising, IHG pulled out. By 1989, the war lord set up operations there (good location overlooking city). As the war calmed displaced residents and refugees squatted there. After the war ended, they were kicked out, but the hotel was stripped of everything. It is just bare concrete now.
Also at this highest point is a monument to “the REAL FIRST African-American president, JJ Roberts,” as our tour guide proudly stated. (Roberts International Airport is Liberia’s main airport.)
We went to an American-style beach property. Had good food. Relaxed listening to the waves. Though the waves are very turbulent and it is not safe. Ammon was belligerent and still went into the water. The manager asked him to get out.
Went to a nearby grocery store “Stop & Shop” – also run by some more Syrian friends to get some basics for our kitchen, and toilet paper! In front of the store was the ONLY used bookseller within a 25-minute drive. Dave introduced himself to Dave, the bookseller. I told Dave, the bookseller, what we do and said I’ll buy $100 worth of books from you for us to take on Saturday to one of our literacy centers. He was thrilled! And I was thrilled we have a source on the ground where we can stimulate the local economy instead of storing books in the USA and trying to get them over there.
Liberia follows so much in the American ways, and they love their American roots. Yet, it feels like Liberia is the unspoken step-child of the USA. To quote a Disney film, “We don’t talk about Bruno.” or “We don’t talk about Liberia.”