Good Day – November 17th
I am waking up in Bo and just recalled that last night I ended up speaking with Francis. Francis is a student at Pharmacy School, one of 97 at the Central University located in Bo, Sierra Leone. It was nice to have that conversation and hear him share his commitment to becoming a medical professional—a long journey he is determined to follow.
Morning Encounters
In the morning, I met someone else who was a driver for the ECOWAS ambassador. ECOWAS is an African organization aiming to better organize and unify many West African countries. Each country has an ambassador and takes a two-year turn as chairman. As it turns out, the Sierra Leone ambassador is the current chairman.
Because of that, this driver gets to transport him around. I’ve encountered ECOWAS connections a few times. Vehicles registered in ECOWAS countries must pay $500 or €500 per year to operate, and show proof of payment. But since my vehicle is registered in the Netherlands and only passing through, I’ve had to explain that repeatedly—four or five times so far, and certainly more to come. These police stops are always interesting; you never know what’s next. Still, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Heading Toward Freetown
Eventually it was time to move on toward Freetown. Before reaching the border, about 15 km prior, I found a diesel station—a perfect place to exchange the last of my money, keeping just enough to buy a bite to eat. I filled up with 38 liters at just under a dollar per liter.
What made the next stop memorable was a Sierra Leonean lady who insisted she wanted to marry me. I passed up the opportunity, but it was a fun encounter, and she seemed genuinely kind. Still, I had to keep moving.
Crossing the Border
Border crossings are always fascinating. Each time you enter or exit, you become a “one-liner” in a large book—either as a person or as a vehicle. That’s their backup system for tracking who has passed through.
After finding the passport stamping office and then customs to sign in or out the Carnet de Passage, I was pleasantly surprised that they didn’t charge anything this time. Ropes were lifted and lowered across the road to control movement, adding to the adventure. Generally, crossing a border takes an hour or two, including exiting one country and entering the next.
A large river served as the border, and I had to move the car several times to get positioned correctly. Still, everything worked out fine, and I continued on my way toward Freetown.
The Long Road Into the City
Up to a certain intersection, the road was manageable. But the last 40 kilometers were another story—clearly neglected and not maintained. That stretch alone took about two hours, just enough time to reach Freetown before dark.
Inside the city, things intensified. The main highway was bustling with traffic, training activities happening on both sides, people crossing, trucks maneuvering—an overload of movement and noise. It was very intense.
Arriving at the Diana Hotel
I finally reached the Diana Hotel in the original part of town. With some traffic delays, I still made it before dark, and they had my reservation ready. The hotel is two stories built above a restaurant, so food was immediately available, which was perfect after a long day.
Settling Into Freetown
So now I am in Freetown, Liberia. What a place—crowded, energetic, and full of character. I have some maintenance to take care of and more adventures ahead.
Thanks for coming along.
