Balah Is Back Home!

It's been a long time coming....6 years...but coming down Tubman Boulevard it feels like it was just yesterday. Balah is back home!

Finally made it into Monrovia after a super long travel day headed through Casablanca. As I made my way to JFK airport this time there was something different. I still had the excitement, anxiety and humility that accompanied me the first time I made my way through, but now-lugging about 100lbs of medical equipment and orthopaedic implants-I had a sense of nostalgia, familiarity and aplomb that soothed me.  I showed up about 90 minutes before take off and the check-in counter was just about to close down with this being the last departure of the evening.  The agent kinda gave me this exasperated look when she saw me hauling up 3 bags to check!  Reluctantly accommodating nonetheless, I was surprised to see how friendly she and everyone there became when she punched my name into the computer and the manager comes over asking, "you are David Forsh??!" I smiled and nodded as I handed over my passport.  The young lady was all smiles when she noticed the notation on my reservation that said "**Guest of the President**"

First time on Royal Air Maroc Airlines

After my luggage was checked (which barely made the weight limit) I started to make my way to the gate and the line was RIDICULOUS (those who are familiar with JFK's international Terminal 1 can appreciate the caps). I wasn't quite sure TSA pre-check/Global Entry would be of any help, but all of a sudden as I'm walking from the counter a little lady from the airline comes up to me, "right this way-follow me." I look at my watch then look at her as she smiles.  We are barreling through the crowd right up to and through security-felt like the lady in the first wedding scene in Coming To America-"excuuuse me out of dee waaay!!" Everyone is staring at me like I'm some celebrity in sweats and a T shirt-was an interesting feeling.  She escorts me straight to the plane jetway-right on time!  Nice way to start a trip.

The flight was smooth and I sat next to a gentleman who was from Casablanca originally, but lived in the Bay Area now-very pleasant guy who familiarized me a bit with Morocco and some things to do on my 16 hour layover. As we traversed the Atlantic Ocean and I laid eyes on the Continent, that nostalgia and familiarity came over me again and I was s
erene.  There's an energy that is consuming here for me.  After customs I found my way to the shuttle which took me to the Relax Hotel where I was able to get some rest.  Several of the passengers who had a long layover made their way to the hotel also-one of them was Abraham.  A brother from Guinea who also lived in the states introduced himself to me when we were in line checking in; He was very nice and spoke French.  He had travelled this route many times for work and was familiar with the people there.  Turned out he would be my hotel neighbor on the same floor.  We had planned to grab lunch together and tour the city after a short nap, but my rest was interrupted with a knock on the door from the front desk concierge who informed me that I had a phone call from the airline-they couldn't find my crate with the implants and supplies and it hadn't made the flight!! Bummer, but I was assured that they would find it and get it out on the next flight.

Hassan II Mosque 

Abraham and I were able to have lunch then grab a taxi into Casablanca-I was glad that he could communicate with the people because I'm sure negotiating cab prices would have been a rough time.  After about a 30 minute trek we were dropped off in the downtown area where we roamed around a bit and were able to take in some the architecture.  I see where the name comes from-most of the buildings are really white!  I picked up a couple of souvenirs and we made our way back to the cab to visit the Hassan II Mosque-the biggest one in Africa.  It was amazing to see!  Abraham is Muslim and was educating me on much of the culture and history of it.  We chatted about the similarities within the different religions and how many of the tenets and principles are related.  He is an older gentleman and he was telling me of how much he wanted his 2 young adult sons to come here so that they can appreciate the rich culture.  After a long stroll around the mosque's grounds we treated ourselves to some fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice which I'd never had before. Was pretty good too!  You see all the vendors and people out here trying to make a living and the pride they have in their craft-it's nice to see.  The Continent.

Beautiful architecture throughout the grounds...

We made our way back to the hotel as Abraham had to get back to the airport soon and my eyelids were getting a heavy workout.  I made my way back to the airport for the 1250am flight to Monrovia.  We were delayed on our departure, but it was all good-my day had been long enough.  What's another hour to spare?!!  We finally arrived at Roberts Field Airport around 515am.  Nostalgia.  The small airport customs and baggage claim was just as I had remembered-chaotic!  The people trying to grab your bag for you and offer you a taxi ride, smiling in your face, pulling your arm, all the commotion, the guards who stand by and watch it all, the taxi drivers and bellhops obstreporously arguing with each other when another "steals" their potential customer...Familiarity. Serenity. Aplomb. I smile. L.I.B.

An agent from National Security met me at the exit and took my bags to an office across the street where I awaited my ride.  He welcomed me back and fended off a couple of men who were trying to "talk" to me.  It took almost 2.5 hours to get to Monrovia with the morning traffic.  The presidential election is in 8 days so traffic was heavier than normal-more on that later. As we drove into town I remembered every turn.  So much looked the same.  Many of the same homes and structures remained, several which still appeared to be under construction from the last time I was here. Paynesville, Old Road, Sinkor, Fish Town-I didn't think I was going to recall as much as I did; I guess this place made an indelible impression on me...;-)

Passing by the hospital was when it really hit me.  It was like my entire visit last time flashed to me-I'm hoping that I would have the same symbiotic impact with the people I interact with this time around
. I checked into the hotel finally and was probably as tired as I'd been in awhile. The young lady at the front desk was very nice and I didn't know what to expect when I got to my room, then alas-a big bed with no mosquito net! Hot water with good pressure! A closet! My own bathroom!  MAMA I MADE IT!!  This was TOTALLY different than my previous accomodations! I plopped on the bed and was able to rest with a smile, looking forward to what's ahead....

Not even one day in and this entry is probably as long as any previous one I've authored.  I scroll up and am glad I decided to re-blog already.  Who knows-I may end up writing that book all my loved ones have been encouraging me to do...

Balah is back home.