Arriving in the Mother Continent...

With colleagues from Bridgestone

Friends from Nashville

After working in Finance for the past 2 years and having to prepare a few management presentations, I could not, not start with a disclaimer..."English is not my first language, nor was I very good at literature (or just about anything) so I hope you guys take this attempt at blogging with a pinch of salt".

As I get ready to write my first blog sitting on my bed watching some African soccer at the Guest House, I am trying to recall the events from the week before today. On January 3rd, I left the land of opportunity after about six and a half years to begin a new chapter in my life on a new continent that is commonly called the Mother Continent...the continent of Africa.

More partying the night before I leave

Ex-Roomates

It was a hectic few days before I left occupying myself with packing bags, selling the car, canceling contracts, visiting places I had not been in the US, and last but not the least meeting up with friends. The whole of the last 2 weeks I don't quite recall having lunch or dinner home (or what was home then).

Last picture of the place I lived in Nashville for 3 years

Liberia...that's where I am headed. Picture from
of wikipedia.com

A bunch of us went out the night before, and it was great seeing all of them but when the time came that fateful Sunday morning I was pretty confident that I would not get emotional. Atleast that was the plan until I glanced at the poignant look in the eyes of my roommates dogs. For some reason, it was a weird feeling considering the fact that I don't consider myself a dog kinda guy and my relationship with them was one of mutual respect of our space, but I guess it was just the moment when you are leaving a place you call home and something just makes you feel moist.

Shores of Liberia on the Atlantic Ocean

The flight to Monrovia was pretty uneventful but I remember calling and texting friends and relatives secretly even after the flight attendants had announced for all electronic equipment to be turned down. The flight from Brussels to Monrovia was pretty good with a feeling of excitement of landing in Africa for the first time aided by the wine that was served on board by Brussels Airlines (there were a few Belgians right in front of me who helped themselves to additional servings of the wine in the double digits, needless to say they were pretty intoxicated the whole flight).

Landing in Liberia

As the plane was getting ready to land, I took a few pictures from the window and my first feeling was of seeing the beautiful beach and a lush green landscape and even though I was in a pressurized tube i could smell and feel the tropical breeze.

The airport was basic to say the least with nothing separating the runway from the fields other than a small compound. The Monrovia International airport reminded me very much of the airport in my home town where you get off the plan on the runway and walk off to a small building which is pretty much the air terminal/immigration office, control tower, etc.

The company welcome sign. First indication i was there!

Getting through the immigration was a breeze where a Firestone teammates pulls you out of the line (yeah..you feel special), takes your passport and asks the driver to take you to the Guest House. I should not have worried about my passport as I duly got it after an hour along with my bags. I wonder that's how easy it is for diplomatic passangers :)

Today, a week's gone by and it's been pretty interesting but, I will keep that story for my next posting. For those of you who are in the US stay warm. I feel your pain...actually not quite since today was a balmy 75 degrees here...:)