So long Monrovia!

The week of indoc training is complete. For 8+ hours a day, we endured powerpoint lectures after powerpoint lectures. The topics we covered revolved around things that can get us intro trouble and what not to do while here in Liberia. Most of the briefs were painful, but some of the briefings were excruciating. The required language for the UN is English, so that is what all the briefers used, but, there was quite a variety in each of their capabilities to speak English. A technique that all briefers had perfected was talking on their mobile phones while instructing the class. It was great, and made for even longer lectures. Needless to say, I am glad the week is over.

I will be catching a flight on the UN helo (an MI-8 flown by the Ukrainian contingent) this Monday morning to fly out to Gbarnga. They are allowing me 100 kg of stuff to bring, so hopefully I will be able to take most of my stuff. They are informing me to bring some food. Since Ramadan is still ongoing, the Bangladeshi and Pakistani are fasting for lunch and not eating dinner until 9pm. Hopefully I can use my 100 kg effectively and take the necessities that I'll need while in Gbarnga. This weekend, I plan on packing up, relaxing and getting some exercise in. I am anxious to get to finally get to my team site to see what my future holds.

Here is a photo of my classmates and I after indoc. We had officers from Bangladesh, Croatia, the Philippines, Niger, and Nigeria in my class. Everyone was great.