📍 LocationMonrovia, Liberia — November 19📝 Episode NotesToday I set out with the idea that I’d check out the Diana Hotel and then head straight to the Ivory Coast embassy to pick up my visa and continue my journey. Simple plan — or so I thought.On the way there, I had to detour around a fallen tree someone was clearing from the road, but that was easy enough. Once I got to the embassy, they went through my paperwork: the application, my reasons for traveling, the passport photo — all in order. But then came the question that mattered: When will the visa be ready?The answer—three to five days—hit me like a flat tire. I had been counting on walking out with the visa today. The woman behind the counter softened it a bit, saying maybe later today or maybe tomorrow morning. I guess I’ll find out soon enough. Out here, you really just have to go with the flow.After that, I had to take care of the money side of things. Wise.com continues to be a lifesaver, letting me access funds pretty much anywhere. Getting that sorted meant navigating through big, crowded market streets — the stop-and-go rhythm of Monrovia.Along the way I spotted a hotel called Triss Estates. “Triss” reminded me of Suriname, where I served with the troops, so that gave me a little smile. I eventually found another place — Laguna a la Laguna Hotel — complete with a pool and a well-run vibe. That’s where I’ll stay tonight… hopefully just for one night.And before wrapping up the day, there was dinner at Linda’s house. She served an African dish they called a soup, though it definitely wasn’t a soup in my book — mostly meats mixed with a green vegetable that comes with rice, and hardly any liquid. But that’s the pattern with a lot of dishes I’ve had across Africa: rice paired with vegetables and meat, stretching what’s available.Thanks for coming along with me today. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.⏱️ Key Moments00:10 – Starting the Day at the Diana Hotel: Planning for a quick visa pickup.00:40 – Detour Around a Fallen Tree: A small taste of daily unpredictability.01:20 – Embassy Reality Check: Paperwork accepted, but the visa won’t be ready for 3–5 days.02:10 – Adjusting Expectations: Hoping for “maybe later today… or tomorrow morning.”02:40 – Handling Money Needs: Using Wise.com while navigating busy market streets.03:20 – Spotting Triss Estates: A surprise reminder of Suriname.03:50 – Finding Laguna a la Laguna Hotel: New place for the night, complete with a pool.04:30 – Dinner at Linda’s House: A hearty African “soup” with rice, greens, and mixed meats.05:20 – Signing Off: Ending the day with appreciation and uncertainty about tomorrow’s plan.

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