Location

Monrovia → Ganta → Liberia–Ivory Coast Border Town, Liberia

Episode Notes

In this episode, I finally move on from Monrovia and head deeper into Liberia. What starts as a travel day turns into something much more meaningful. I reflect on meeting Sai Buor Brewer, a Liberian-American librarian who returned to help build schools in rural Liberia, and I follow through on my plan to visit his newest project near Ganta.

Along the way, I experience the rhythm of road travel in Liberia — slow traffic, diesel fumes, friendly police stops, and the ever-present “one-liner” passport logbooks. I tour an impressive school campus, meet professors and librarians shaping the next generation, and even stumble into a chance meeting with overland travelers piloting a three-wheeled vehicle across West Africa.

The day ends at a newly built lagoon hotel near the border — a quiet, thoughtful place that contrasts sharply with the raw hustle of everyday life around it. It’s a full day of movement, people, purpose, and perspective.

Key Moments

00:00 – Moving On I start the day reflecting on November 26th and the feeling that it’s finally time to move on from where I’ve been.

01:10 – Meeting Sai Buor Brewer I talk about meeting Sai Buor Brewer, a librarian who lived in Michigan for years before deciding to return and do something meaningful for Liberia.

03:00 – Building a College in Ganta I explain how Sai founded CLT International and built a college in Ganta, about three to four hours from Monrovia.

04:40 – My Plan to Visit the High School Project I share how our conversation led me to plan a visit to his next project — a high school under construction in Cantu.

06:20 – Life on Liberia’s Roads I describe the slow movement, traffic congestion, and unavoidable diesel fumes that come with road travel here.

08:10 – Police Stops and Border Logbooks I explain how most police stops are friendly and brief, with the familiar “one-liner” passport entry in a big logbook near the border.

10:00 – Finding the School in Ganta I talk about hiring a motorbike rider to escort me to the school, saving time and confusion.

11:30 – Touring the School Campus I describe the school grounds — classrooms, future space for an elementary school, pigs on the property, orange trees, and a sports field.

14:00 – Meeting the Staff I meet the librarian and Jonathan, the economics professor who gives me a full tour and explains how everything works.

16:00 – Unexpected Travelers: Seth and Ollie I recount meeting Seth and Ollie, two overland travelers driving a three-wheeled vehicle through West Africa.

18:10 – An Invitation to Camp at a Waterfall They invite me to camp at a waterfall, but I explain why I had to decline due to my commitment to the school visit.

19:40 – A Three-Wheeler Through Guinea I reflect on how impressive it is that their low-clearance vehicle can handle routes like Guinea.

21:10 – Arrival at the Border Lagoon Hotel I arrive at a new lagoon hotel near the border, owned by the same person as my Monrovia stay.

23:00 – A Hotel Not Officially Open I describe the peaceful setting, the forest views, and how unusual it is to find a place like this in a small border town.

25:00 – Final Reflections I close with thoughts on Liberia’s hustle, what still needs fixing, and gratitude for another unforgettable day on the road.