After our morning introductions with the Ministers and staff, I stepped outside of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where Kenneth and I will work for the next four weeks. The chief of security at the Ministry came up to me, I think feeling like he was to protect me, while I was out on the street. He kindly offered to show me and my colleagues around the neighborhood after our day of orientation was over. We gladly took him up on his offer.
He showed us around the streets crowded with pedestrians and people selling wares in an ad-hoc open air market. He was happy to introduce us to his older brother, an employee at the Ministry of Transportation, and his mother an employee at the Ministry of Immigration - all in the same area. This was our first contact with Liberians in this intimate way. We were on the crowded streets, removed from the airconditioned rooms of the Ministries.
After our tour we went to a local hotel. The Chief of Security at the Ministry sat with us while we ate. He is a 27 year old who, up to this point, has been the most open with us about his life story and his experience during the 14 year civil war - which left his country in shambles. It was very interesting hearing someone my age speak about their experience and perspective on war. To this point I had only read and heard from third parties the unimaginable acts that occurred during the war in Liberia. For the first time I received a first-hand account. To say the least I have a lot to reflect on and process.
He plays on a local soccer team and invited us to play. For a second I was convinced I should dust off my old soccer skills. Though most likely I will use my finely tuned viewing skills and go watch a game they have next week.
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