My own home

Finally have my own place. Lebanese-owned, of course, just south of the corner of Randall and Benson Street on Randall, three security guards (George, Johnny, Lomax), cable tv, cleaning lady, a/c, MOSS compliant (minimu operational safety standards), and I share it with a Ghanaian guy = $600. That is, I'm proud to annouce, $200 cheaper than the original price. I played hard to get, threw out my arms, demanded a lower price, called the original price outrageous, issued ultimatums, waited for three days, then called back and offered a price. This is well below the average for this kind of standard and I'm as thrilled as can be.


That's the masons building at one of the highpoints of the city. Still active. Most powerful Americo-Liberians are members. I too hope to join some day.

Went to the beach this Sunday and got trigger happy with the camera. It's a pretty absurd experience as the picturs below probably illustrates (btw, click on pics to see them in a larger format) but I had fun nonetheless. It was my first day outside of the office in two weeks. Received an enormous assignment on Saturday afternoon and had to sit in all last Sunday, clippeti-clippeting on my keyboard. Did I already say that? I can't remember. Anyway, I kicked around a soccerball, talked shit to a couple of Paraguayans and was promptly shouted down by the fact that Sweden managed to tie with Trinidad. Fair, I suppose. I was genuienly pissed about not winning even though it was quite an experience to watch the game here, drinking Club Beer in the sun. I've promised one of the security guards that he will get my Sweden jersey if we get to the quarter finals. As such, there is no a large contingent of Liberians rooting for das Vaterland. Classy.




Went to the only 'nightclub' in town on Sarurday, Agenda. Would be fun if it wasn't for the reeediculous amounts of aggressive prostitutes that swarm around you making you feel like a huge creep for only being there. I conducted myself like a gentlemen. The same cannot be said for a number of UN employees, etc. Gross. Especially since the red cross released a huge report in April revealing just how common sex-for-aid abuse is in Liberia.