Normally, today would have been out last full day in Liberia. But --- as we know ---nothing is normal anymore. So, we gathered ourselves together and made the journey out to the Kumeh Compond in Bardnersville. However, before we left, we had an opportunity to video chat with Kelly and the puppies. They were trying to get at us when they heard our voices. Everyone is doing well and much comforted in seeing the others in person to know they are OK. I hope we are able to do it again soon. It certainly raised my spirits.
The police were out today enforcing the rules they had made ealier regarding the number of people carried in the taxis and KaKas. Taxis are a driver and one person in front and limit of 3 in the back.
KaKas are a driver and 2 passengers. We saw a bus impounded for having too many people on the bus. It is difficult to get around and many of the government offices are either closed or on a skeleton crew. Some of the stores are closed and I anticipate even more will be closed in the near future. It probably won't be long before many of the markets are closed as well. Ozie went out today and purchased enough rice to last 2 months, plus other non-perishable items. Charcoal has risen in price and there will not be anymore coming into Monrovia from the areas producing charcoal. Even without a large number of cases, the effects are still felt in the city. As of now, there are only 3 confirmed cases of the virus. We are far removed from them but still exercise caution with hand washing. Today Ozie and I got the sewing machine up and running with lots of help from Eziekiel, a nearby tailor. Now to get used to it and get it broken in. I managed in over an hour to complete one simple face mask. Now that we know the construction techniques and how to the the machine moving we should be on a roll and able to make masks for members of the family should we need to go out.
Some of Timothy's friends are realizing he is here so he is often entertained by their visits. Fred was here all afternoon which kept Timothy out of our hair while working on the sewing machine. Ozie and I have some material and we want to start making a nine patch wall hanging so she is able to learn how it is done. Even the children want to learn. We shall see.
I did get an email from the US Embassy here in Liberia requesting information regarding our status, passport information and other information and our flight plans as they were to have been and now are canceled. Whether or not we will be able to the return to the US by government transport remains to be seen. We will wait -----
I was able to watch soap making today and had not seen how it was done. It is a very hard ball of soap and is excellent for washing clothes. It is known as "hard soap" and sells for $20 Liberian or about 10 cents US. A soft drink in a bottle is $200 LD or $1.00 USD, and gas is 3 gallons for $10 USD. The price fluctuates depending on the availabilty. I was able to get 2 yards of elastic for $20 LD and a bottle of water is $150 LD It is interesting to see what the difference is in pricing.
About 6 pm we returned back to the hotel for our last night before moving out to the family place. There still seems to be some confusion as to where we are staying but it will all be worked out tomorrow. My posts may not be as often depending on if I am able to find internet service. But I will blog daily so you are able to what is going on here.
Take care, be safe and prayers for all
Anne
No comments:
Post a Comment