Dear Kelly,
I have some questions about Liberia and the influence of America.
1. Do they speak much English?
2. Do they like Americans?
3. Do they watch Seinfeld or are they still on Baywatch reruns?
4. American Movies - Do they have the Dark Knight yet?
5. Do they get our humor?
6. Traditional African music or Diddy? Is lil Wayne big?
7. What’s the food like? Do they have American Restaurants like we have Italian or Mexican Places?
8. Starbucks?
9. What would you say the major Industry is in Monrovia? Blood Diamonds?
10. Do they like the NBA or just Soccer and Cricket?
11. Is Michael Jordan a legend there?
12. How is everyone’s bracket doing? I knew a few Liberian Americans that had been riding Cornell since day 1…They must be devastated over there.
13. Have you seen a “Indianapolis Colts 2010 Super Bowl Champs” shirt yet?
14. What’s the headline on the local newspaper?
15. How are the babes?
Thank you in advance for your quick response.
Love Jon
Dear Jon,
1. They speak English but fast and Liberianized. But someone told is in other bordering countries they get mistaken for americans and charge more for items on the streets.
2. They seem to like Americans with some seeing Liberia as America the B Side. Their capital city is Monrovia named for our 5th prez James Monroe.
3. Unsure. I will ask tonight or this week and get back to you.
4. When I have visited the market place, I have been offered everything from Dark Knight to Sherlock Holmes. You will like this. When talking with someone here about films they said the love…love nick cage. She said and I quote “He is so expressive. I just loved Faceoff”
5. I bought a sugar cane. the woman said here you go white man. I said thank you black woman. Moulton seemed to like that
6. They love all rap music. Tupac is huge. Lil Wayne huge. Akon. Jay Z is the biggest currently I think. They also love Eminem. When out at the bars, I heard Nelly “Ride wit me” Tupac “Hit em Up” and Biggie “Notorious”.
7. I have only eaten in the hotel because I heard if I didn’t I would die from mud butt. Not a good way to go. But I did buy sugar cane from the side of the road and have not had any stomach problems so far so I may adventure out. We will see. No American restaurant from what I have seen so there as far as I can see we will be the first to start one. *Side note. This was answered a day before I got food poisoning which I think came from cheesecake I ate at a nice restaurant. I may stick with sugar cane from now on.
8. No Starbucks.
9. Major industry would be rubber I think. I mean its almost like rubber grows on trees here. Iron ore is another I believe.
10. Soccer is huge. American football is loved by Moulton. They like the NBA. They started a liberian basketball league. I am trying to get drafted next year. I will put your name in if you want.
11. I told people I met michael jordan and they shook my hand and treated me like a god. So yes, they love him.
12. They love the John wall dance here so they have Kentucky going all the way. *Side note. After Kentucky’s loss, the streets were filled with the tears of Liberians. That or it is the beginning of the wet season.
13. Sadly no misleading t-shirts yet
14. I will get back to you on that.
15. Smart, beautiful, and empowered. Their current president is the first female president of an African country. Also If you ever get a chance to ride Air Brussels do it. The stewardess are stunning.
I will answer more as they come.
Love Kelly
