More street footage

Katie meets Dwalu

Dwalu is a dignitary ambassador here in Liberia.

Arrival in Liberia!

We arrived after a very long day of travel (most of which, I slept - I couldn't keep my eyes open - sleeping in the airport, on the plane, and almost standing up). We were welcomed by this guy,in the pic, in camouflage. He completely enabled us to bypass the whole customs process. Spared us a lot of anarchy evidently . Apparently, Don is well connected here. There were two cars waiting to escort us to our hotel. Logan and Blogay were the drivers. Apparently, according to Don, we are in good hands. Logan, who drove Jacquie and I, was head of security for the opposition party for the presidential elections in Nov. Blogay, Don's driver, drove Don and the kids. I tried to take many pictures, however, Kates had the good camera. My iPhone couldn't cut it at the speed we were going. It was amazing though!! Jac noticed, at one point when we slowed and several people were close to the car, that Logan locked us up.

Tomorrow we go into town - Monrovia and we can see some of Don's work residences.

We also met Don's CFO and another Ops guy for dinner in this gorgeous outside restaurant beside the pool.

TIME snapshot.

Jet Lag or Excitement?

Well it's 3:30 am Geneva time and Katie and I are cuddling in bed wide awake despite taking sleep aids. Last night we slept so well. Kates is learning all about time zones. What better education than reading about it. The question is why are we awake? Excitement about Liberia or jet lag? I suspect it is a bit of both. Tomorrow will be challenging on 3 hrs sleep. The taxi will be here in 1.5 hrs. Not really enough time to try for more sleep. 1.5 hrs to Belgium, 3.5 hrs layover then 7 hrs to Liberia. Maybe we can sleep along the way here and there. Apparently, the Monrovia airport will be culture shock - another good lesson for the kids ( I should mention - my sister-in-law, Jacquie and my nephew, Wyatt (7) are coming along for the adventure)!

I imagine this blog will be more interesting tomorrow once the REAL adventure starts. No more reading about boring pills and sleep or lack there of.

Dianne
Sent from my iPhone

Malaria Prevention is the plan!
11 hours of sleep! 14 hours until we leave then 15 hours of travel!  Today was a first for Kates.  She swallowed, not one, but two pills whole.  Amazing.  The four of us had to start our Malaria prevention.  I have to admit that I was worried about these pills, but so far so good.  The other thing is that I figured out how to blog from my mobile which solved a problem.  I am not planning to bring a computer so uploading photos was proving to be difficult.  Where there is a will, there is a way!  I think we are all set.... Boarding Passes printed!  Off to a walk to a nearby frozen river here in Geneva to throw rocks at the ICE.... sounds interesting.

It seems like I have been awake for hours.  This is Kates in Montreal with our carry on stuff.  We are now in Geneva and just had lunch.  It was so nice to arrive here to a sunny day, however, it is very cold.

  

We are very tired. So tired so, that I let our bag go around the baggage carousel several times before I even realized it was ours.

Jacquie was here to pick us up.  And now we are just relaxing at Don and Jac's beautiful cottage-like home.

Today, February 9 2012, Katie and I start our adventure.  We will be leaving later today and embarking on an 12 hour journey to Geneva, Switzerland!    On Sunday, we will be going to Liberia.  It will be about a 10 hour journey from Switzerland to Liberia, where we will fly over the Sahara.  We were instructed by Don to pay attention and "not watch the movie" on the plane.    Don is in Monrovia, Liberia now... He said it is 32 degrees there.  Geneva is minus 10.  So we are packing (as lightly as possible) warm and cool clothes!

We will fly into Monrovia!  Can't wait.  Off to get Kates and Jules from school.  Poor Jules... I have to take her to the dentist first.... nice way to leave my child.... boo hoo....