Rainy Season

I have never witnesses thunderstorms like I've endured here in Liberia. We are now in Africa's winter called "rainy season". This is a time where Africa is pelted with rain after a long and hot dry season. It starts in July and usually lasts through the end of October and it has proved difficult with the filming of the documentary. Seems mother nature doesn't like electronic equipment. But we're managing well even though we've had to change plans due to a few days of constant rain. We usually have to wait it out with the orphans until the weather breaks and we can shoot. But it has made our life interesting nonetheless.

I have been getting really close to the orphans in the past week since I've been with them for close to a month now. They all know my name and call me "Auntie Amy" in their cute little Liberian English. I've gotten to know some of the older children, caregivers and teachers at Rainbow Town as well. The older children teach me so much about Liberian culture and are patient with me when I can't understand their Liberian English. The boys are curious and want to know about my camera and play soccer with me since they know I played at "University." The girls teach me about platting hair (braiding) and cooking ...we also talk a lot about American culture, music and what my life is like "on the other side." I really enjoy spending time with the older kids.

We have been getting a lot done in the past week. We've had the house to ourselves since the missionary couple have been in Monrovia taking care of business. Like I said before, everything takes longer to do in Liberia ...it's an official unoffical place where you have to have an "official" form for this and an "official" letter for that. They're currently trying to get our passports extended and register the Shine car with the government ...which translates into a week long process.

But it's been good because we've had to wake up early and ride on the Rainbow Town truck with the teachers from town to the orphanage. It's fun to ride on the back of a big truck with a bunch of people. But I definitely stand out since I am white ...all the little kids stare at me because I'm sure I'm a sight to see ...they then point and scream "White woman!" and then wave while eagerly awaiting my wave back. It's funny. If I counted the times I heard "White woman" I would lose count.

But everyone's really nice and we're a well oiled machine now. We still have so much to do for the film but we're chipping away at it slowly. If it rains then we take a bunch of the kids to the local radio station to record their singing and drumming for the soundtrack to the film, or we're filming them at school, working in the fields, playing in the bush or making crafts with them.

It's a great time ...but I know these next 30 days will go quickly. Back to work!