Life in Africa is very different than home in the States. Partly because of culture and mainly because of poverty. I love the friendliness of the people here and the way they share life with each other. I think we could learn a lesson from them in that area of our lives.
I know that some of you are wondering what specific things are different here. So I've thought of a few...
Somethings that we see in Africa but not at home...
*women carrying large plastic tubs filled with goods on their heads while having a baby tided to their backs. Some of the tubs I've seen are filled with water... and they seem to keep their balance.
*while walking down the road little children running up to us to touch our hand, waving at us yelling "bye, bye"
*people selling random things in the middle lane of the road. Things like crackers, baggies of juice, steering wheel covers, sun glasses, screw drivers...
*Bathing children along side their huts in the open air.
*A herd of cattle with long pointy horns, coming down the dirt road.
*Buying material at the Market and then walking to the local tailor to get something made. The tailor being in a dark cinder block hut crowded with 4-5 sewing machines being run with a generator or using a an old fashion foot paddle machine.
*people coming up to you saying "I want to be your friend"
*getting gas from glass jars at the "gas stations"
*calling any yellow painted car a taxis (beater cars from the 80's) and seeing at least 4 people piled in the back seat. Waiting for 30 mins at least for a semi-empty taxi.
*Response to "how are you today" being "praise God"
*torrential rain pour, ALL day long.
*women on the side of the road cooking meat on a small iron cook stove.
*people caring loads of charcoal wrapped in leaves to their homes for the cook fire
*main mode of transportation being walking or taking a taxi or a motorbike - hopping on the back and holding on for dear life with your eyes closed, wearing a helmet or not.
*hospital with electricity only part of the day while the generator is running, no electricity at night. No running water. Barely any medications in the pharmacy. Only 1 doctor for every 30,000 people. Only 1 dentist in the WHOLE country.
Just to name a few. There are many more but you would have to come and visit for yourself.
1 comment:
Unfortunately I have not had a chance to keep up with your blog, but I just read this insert and it describes Liberia so well!!! It made me feel like I was right back there. It sounds like you are getting to do a lot of great things. Enjoy the rest of your time there because it is so precious. Although it is good to be home enjoying summer, I really wish I was there.
Lynnel
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