Good Day — November 26th
Finally time to move on.
The day before, I met another person named Sai Buor Brewer — a librarian, but also an American who lived in Michigan for many years. About ten years ago, he decided he needed to do more for the people of Liberia.
With the help of a church (or churches), he founded CLT International. The result was the construction of a college in Ganta, Liberia.
Ganta is about a three to four hour drive from Monrovia. We talked more, and it eventually led to me making plans to stop by his next project — a high school being built nearby. We tried to coordinate so we’d both be there at the same time, but that didn’t quite work out.
Still, that was my original intention. So I got on my way.
On the Road to Ganta
The usual busy stretches meant moving slowly, and every now and then catching a full breath of diesel fumes. Not exactly what I’m looking for, but it’s part of the experience.
Overall, it was an enjoyable ride. The road was surprisingly good all the way to Ganta, with only a few sections needing work — and those small improvements make a big difference.
Police stops were friendly. Mostly just a “you’re welcome,” and minimal time spent showing anything like a passport or carnet.
Then there’s the familiar one-liner stop before getting close to the border. A big book comes out, and they write your name and passport details into it. That happens everywhere.
Finding the School
When I reached Ganta and needed help finding the high school, I asked a motorbike rider to escort me. That saved a lot of time.
The school itself was very impressive. There’s still space on the grounds to eventually build an elementary school as well.
The person I was supposed to meet wasn’t there, but I was shown around and took a few photos. I met the librarian and Jonathan — an economics professor — who became the main person guiding me and explaining how everything works.
They even keep pigs on the grounds in an inner barn. There are orange trees planted, though not yet bearing fruit, and a sports field as well. It’s a well-thought-out place.
Well done, Mr. Brewer. We’ll see you again another time.
A Chance Encounter
Before I even arrived, at one of the police stops where I signed the logbook, two guys showed up who were clearly not Liberian.
One was really big, the other slightly less so. Their names were Seth and Ollie.
They were driving a three-wheeled vehicle — I’m not sure of the brand — but I had read about them a few weeks earlier. And there they were.
We met, took a picture together at a gas station, and they invited me to go camping with them at a waterfall.
It was about twenty kilometers off my route, and I had already committed to visiting the school, so it didn’t work out this time. Maybe another time.
That three-wheeler isn’t very high off the ground, and the fact that they’re taking it through Guinea is seriously impressive.
The Border Town Stay
By the end of the day, I made it to another Ala Lagoon Hotel. It’s owned by the same person as the one in Monrovia.
He built this hotel in the border town before leaving Liberia. He travels to Abidjan often, so it makes sense that he wanted a place to stay here.
There’s nothing else like it in town.
It’s not officially open yet, but it has sixteen rooms, a conference space, and views over the forest — banana trees, palm trees, and more.
A neat little town to have a place like that.
Reflections
The rest is straight Liberia — a lot of hustle and muscle, and plenty of things that still need fixing.
But such is life.
Thanks for being along. We’ll see you tomorrow.
