Off to Bong!

This might have to be a short message, but I wanted to get something in. Today we leave for Bong. The trip was slightly delayed, but now we are leaving and I will finally be able to start my work. Excited and ready to get started!

On Friday, when I wrote last, I went out with a girl from EQUIP and she took me out to get drinks before dinner. It was nice just to have time to relax. I also learned that Liberian beer is not very good. We went out for dinner, but I didn't get to experience "Liberian food" yet. We went to an Indian restaurant the first night and went to a middle eastern restaurant/ Liberian one for lunch after church yesterday. Both were good, but not the typical meals here.

Saturday was a day spent researching and shopping for things I will need in Bong (very expensive packaged food because nothing is made here and everything is imported)- pretty uneventful. Until... the evening. On Saturday night I saw my first Liberian spider. Not one of the big hairy ones I was really afraid of, but still about the size of my fist. There were 6 in the kitchen and Dave (the guy I am staying with) got them all with Raid. So, needless to say I will be keeping Raid with me at all times. They are tricky things. They are fast and practically run. They were also good at jumping off the wall if they sensed that the broom was coming down on them. Great, quick, smart big spiders. Exactly what I wanted to see. But I slept fine.

Sunday was nice. I went to my first Liberian church service. So much fun! All the women wear their best clothes and they were beautiful. They have their dresses tailor made and they are so vibrant and hand beaded. I need to get a pretty skirt before I leave! The rest of the day we just spent relaxing. The guys went surfing, I read and talked with my parents and Bill and then took a nap. Pretty much caught up on sleep by now.

The rainy season is in full effect. Last night it was raining very hard and it was thundering and lighting. Kind of hard to fall asleep at first, but I managed.

Okay, I have to head out now for my 4-6 hour drive to Bong where I will be staying for the rest of the summer. I will be back to Monrovia a few times but I will be there primarily.
On a closing note...so things I have learned so far in Liberia. When people want to ask how you are doing or how are things, they say "howstheday." How is the day smushed into one word. Another this is everyone shakes your hand and then when they pull it away you snap your fingers together with theirs. Liberian secret handshake. Everyone is very sweet and welcoming and they say, "you are most welcome to Liberia," and give you a big smile and do the handshake thing. Also, everyone is your friend. They ask, "are you my friend" or say, "now we are friends."

Okay, so not that short. I will write again from Bong! Have a nice week!