Here we sit

I have to say this stint in Monrovia may be a long one.  There is really nothing to do to contribute to the ETU.  We have a team meeting tomorrow morning and a follow up with the medical director by Skype on Tuesday.  There may be some tasks that come out of those meetings.  Hopefully.  One project is to find a medical provider for us for if we have some non Ebola problem that needs care outside of the knowledge of the group.  It is not the cost that is the main obstacle but access.  Looks like we may need to pay a monthly premium to be covered under some of the clinics here.  On top of that is the cost of care, but to even be seen we will probably have "join" the clinic.  

This morning one of our members almost needed said services.  We were walking this morning and a couple guys came screaming around a corner carrying long planks on their motorcycle.  They came too close and the boards struck my collegue in the arm cutting her skin.  When we got back she tripped over a planter and fell backward.  She could have easily slammed her head on the concrete.  Point being she came twice close to needing medical care.  

The rest of the walk was fantastic.  We got off the main road and wound our way through these very tight rubbled paths among houses and shops.  The whole place is dirt, but these families live in solid structures, not flimsy fall down shacks.  Still there are no doors, no painted walls, no decor.  The paths are rough and the remnants of sandbags are everywhere.  During the rainy season many of the homes become flooded and the paths become rivers.  Back on the main paved road the gutters are a 3 foot deep concrete trench.  Apparently these overflow as well.  The people in the neighborhood were outside selling peppers, shaving, bathing, eating, and hanging out.  The paths were narrow enough and there were enough people it really felt like we were invading their space.  Pictures were out of the question.  Apparently the neighborhood was a middle class neighborhood.  Wow.

Washed my own laundry in the sink today.  Not much else to do so the couple hours it took was no problem. 

Went to a market downtown yesterday and bought fabric. We can use it to decorate at Fish Town when we finally get there.  On the bed is one example.  I bought several bright colored pieces.  This is the fabric the saris are made from.  Lots of color wrapped around the women often clashing, by the Western eye, with the blouse and head wrap.

More fabric.