Thursday July 18

When I walked into the terminal from the plane yesterday, a man came up to me and said "Dr. Knight ?" He then escorted me through immigration, handing my passport to someone with instructions to take care of it, and we picked up my luggage. Outside I was met by Dewalt and Macintosh; I have subsequently learned that Macintosh is from the President's security detail and is assigned to me for the duration of my stay! We drove in pouring rain (yes, it is rainy season) to the President's house where I met Aunt Jenny. She explained that the President had gone to Nigeria for an ECOWAS meeting, and would be back tomorrow, at which time my schedule would be discussed. We then drove next door to the Presidential Guest House where I will be staying. After a meal and 2 Club beers, I took a shower and fell nicely asleep. Aunt Jenny came over after my breakfast this morning to discuss my schedule a bit more. This morning I will go to JFK around 10, and then I will go to her house for lunch at 1. Not surprisingly, there has been a change in the Honoring schedule: the original plan was for me to be part of a group of 35 honorees on Friday, but now my honoring has been moved to the actual Independence Day ceremony itself on Friday the 26th. One of the facts of life in Liberia is that plans change frequently based on unanticipated circumstances, and one has to learn to go with the flow. I think that one of the personal benefits to me of spending time in Liberia has been just that: I have to put aside my compulsion for timeliness and planning, and recognize that I don't have control so I might as well just enjoy it. They take good care of me and everything works out. I went to JFK and met Dr. McDonald outside the Administration Building as she was on her way to a ceremony thanking Chevron for some donations. I went with her, and saw several old friends as well as meeting some new ones. Afterwards Dr. McDonald and I talked briefly about the needs of the surgery department, especially as it relates to the soon-to-start postgraduate education program. After that I went up to the OR to say hello to Percillar, Anthony Hne, and the others; it feels weird being here and not working, but I assured them that I would be back in September to work. I then went to Aunt Jennie's for lunch, and had a very nice time as expected. Her husband was there as was one of her sons, Carney, who I think is an accountant. We had a very interesting discussion about the current state of politics in Liberia, and concerns about the possibility of unrest which is just under the surface. There is no doubt that some people are discontent; I think that is only natural when things are getting better, but some people are impatient and think that change can happen overnight. The planning for all of the Independence Day celebrations seems like it continues to be a work in progress. The big ceremony on July 26 will be in Tubmanburg, but it remains unclear whether we will go there the night before or the morning of; I think it is about 2 hours drive. From what I am told, the uncertainty mostly relates to the availability of accommodations. Aunt Jennie told me that three of us will be honored on that occasion: Debby Harding, a US woman who has done a lot to support education in Liberia, myself, and "The Orator", whose name and accomplishments remain a mystery so far, but he is the one who will speak for the honorees as I understand it. Aunt Jenny said she would get more information soon, and would let me know in the next day or two what I will be doing. After another visit to JFK and a meeting with Dr. McDonald and Dr. Johnson at 4 pm, Dewalt and I went across the street to get some passport type photos so I can get a JFK ID ! I told Dr. McDonald that I thought I should have one, and she readily agreed, so that is now in the works. Then back to the house for a quiet dinner and evening. Tomorrow the celebrations begin !