Hello from Robertsport, Liberia!

We are here! Arrived safely yesterday, the flight was quite painless, so nice not to have to fly through Europe since Delta flies directly to West Africa from Atlanta. Today, went on a lovely walk along the beach with a staff member named Timothy, gathering gifts given to Nik from the local fishermen of crabs, shrimp, fish, etc. Everyone is quite taken with him and he has made a lot of friends already. This morning he was teaching two of the Fellows how to play American football. The ocean water is quite warm, with lovely trees growing along side it (almond trees and a giant kind of tree called a Cotton tree, along with palms). Later on I will post some photos. This afternoon, went on a walk through Robertsport with Emmanuel, one of the Fellows. Met the mayor who was waiting with several others for one of the presidential candidates to arrive for a rally. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the current president, will also come soon I am told. Bought some flip flops (mandatory in West Africa) and a new phone (yay for cell phones being everywhere!) and a Sprite which we enjoyed by Lake Piso, a huge lake which Nik has been invited to go fishing on tomorrow. The jet lag feels like it is dissipating, although Nik and I were both up at 2 this morning. Hopefully we will sleep through the night tonight. Have been making connections with each of the Fellows and Staff, glad to have this time with them before I start teaching, next week. More, and photos, soon!

Rachel