Life’s a Beach

There is very little to do in Monrovia – a city that lost everything during Liberia’s 14 year civil war that just ended in 2004.  During those fourteen years, brutal fighting was rampant in the countryside where sons killed their mothers, raped their neighbors, mutilated their cousins, and castrated their fathers.  Rural folk fled to Monrovia and as a result, a city that was designed for only 250,000 people became home to over a million of internally displaced persons.  People looted every building imaginable so over 14 years, there was no education AT ALL or government progress since squatters were living and fighting in government buildings.  This in a city that used to be called “New York of West Africa” in its heyday, perhaps due to its  historical significance to America. 

Currently, there is no running water or an electrical grid in the whole city.  Few latrines, 90% unemployment and appalling health statistics.  Life is a bit—beach, atleast on Sundays  it is.

Despite its struggles, Liberia is an incredibly rich country resources.  Thousands of miles of pristine coastline, diamonds, rubber, timber, gold – you name it it’s here.  So in an effort to add to the local economy revenue, I didn’t mind sipping on cold beers last Sunday at the beach with my colleagues.

 

I learned that a half acre of beachfront land costs about $6,000. 

The owner of  BET (Black Entertainment) is also supporting and investing in Liberia before the mobs come.  He just opened up Monrovia’s finest hotel a few months ago. Come before its all taken!

 

On a similar but different note, have I mentioned how strange it is to not only be living and working in the same place with all your colleagues?  I felt a tad strange stripping to my bathing suit in front of my supervisor, but do as the Romans do I suppose.