It was a bright and sunny Thursday as I stood on my balcony staring at the hill nearby. Filled with anticipation, I took a deep breath and a big gulp of the coffee in my hand. I was going to catch a flight to Accra that evening. Even though it was my first time flying - getting on the iron bird, and my friends call it - I was anxious because I had my visa appointment at the Dutch embassy in Accra scheduled for the next day. That was it… fear of the unknown. I was traveling out of my country for the first time, alone, and my next trip to the Netherlands was heavily dependent on this one; who wouldn't be nervous? But I was also equally excited because I was preparing to travel to The Netherlands for my return training as a Young Expert. I quickly went back inside and double checked my luggage ensuring I was all set.

I was traveling out of my country for the first time, alone, and my next trip to the Netherlands was heavily dependent on this one; who wouldn't be nervous?

It was about an hour and a half long flight, and it was fun. I had conversations with the other passengers on my row and we all laughed as they shared their awkward past flying experiences. As a group we all asked for extra food and drinks and had fun doing it. They introduced me to my first shot of whiskey on a plane and before we reached Accra I had another one.

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At Kotoka International Airport in Accra I grew even more excited; I couldn't wait to step outside and see what the city looks like. My ride to the hotel definitely made the first impression: I was amazed by the driver as he pulled out his phone and opened his taxi app to get directions to the hotel. I am well aware of how common this is in other countries, but this is yet to be launched in my country. My stay in Accra was a short one; it lasted less than seventy-two hours, but it was good. I spent my Friday making friends with cab drivers, security guards, bankers, the staff at the Dutch and Liberian Embassy in Accra and of course, completing my visa process. I also took some time to walk around the city to observe the people and the architecture.

Ghanaians drive faster than we do in Liberia and this was a little scary. I kept hitting the imaginary brakes on the passenger side of the cabs as I was being driven around the city

I learned a few important things during my stay in Accra: One, Liberians and Ghanaians are similar people. An Uber driver even told me that his mother used to live in Liberia before the civil war and though he has never been to the country himself, he hopes to visit it someday. Two, Ghanaians drive faster than we do in Liberia and this was a little scary. I kept hitting the imaginary brakes on the passenger side of the cabs as I was being driven around the city. And three, the e-mobility service with electric tuktuk (locally known as kekehs) and digital platform that we (at Emergi) are launching in Liberia is a major step towards the improvement of mobility services in Liberia and therefore an absolutely necessary one. I am proud of the work I do and I am grateful to everyone of you, our supporters. Because of you, we are about to make a change that really matters. 

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Now I am super excited to travel to The Netherlands for my return training that will be focused on career development… I can't wait! I also can't wait to see the landscape and architecture of the country and of course, how they drive, or perhaps how they bike. Keep following as I take you on this journey with me.

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