The New Apartment

We moved into our apartments on Saturday. Kenneth and Travis took one of the two-bedroom apartment and I the other. I am under the impression that I will have another intern moving in with me, but for now I have quite-a-nice flat all to myself.

Upon arriving to the apartments today, we were quite impressed. The rooms are large and fully furnished. There is a nice kitchen and bathrooms with plenty of room. We also have 24-hour electricity, which is unheard of in Monrovia. I am not sure if we are plugged into the main grid, but if we are, generator costs are about 42 cents per KWH. This cost is much higher than in the US, where average costs are more like 2-10 cents. This is mostly because the fuel used in Liberia is diesel.

Speaking for myself I was surprised with our housing; it is quite nice! I appreciate greatly the Liberian Government arranging this housing for us. But I also feel like we are a bit disconnected. Not only do we have 24-hour electricity but we also have 24-hour security. Although my friends and family can rest soundly knowing that we are completely safe, it seems like we are in a fortress under lock and key.

I hope to make a concerted effort to not be disconnected and removed from our surroundings. One of the appeals of this trip – of which there are many – was to experience a community that is very foreign to a graduate student living in Pittsburgh and going to Carnegie Mellon. Being in Africa - and specifically Liberia - offers an opportunity I do not want to pass up. I hope I do not hide behind the comfort and air-conditioning in our apartments; I hope to venture out into the heat.