CHAPTER 1
FOCUS AND DETERMINATION
This very studious and determined young boy with his mother's welfare as focus, he graduates from High school. He enters College with ambition and Determination he earns a scholarship to study abroad in London England.
Samoa is excited with mixed emotion to make his first trip to go out of Liberia away from his home.
He is particularly excited that he is to travel by airplane his first plane ride. He realizes that the flight from West Africa to London England is a long distance that could take almost a full day or more considering the time zone change.
Samoa friends are with him at the Airport awaiting his flight schedule announced to travel at midnight, but is delayed. After a long waiting He finally boards the plane after a long wait. He is already tired from the long waiting at the airfield, his flight is finally announced, and Samoa boards the plain, and settled down for his long ride. The excitement of being on the plane with such comfort, he soon falls asleep.
Samoa is suddenly awakened by the announcement: –
"We are in Heathrow Airport, London England. All passengers disembark!"
Samoa is shocked and confused to see other passengers leave the plane. Guarded by an angel He hurriedly gets off the plane and seemed lost. He did not know what to do. He stands in the middle of the airport surrounded with his load of three suitcases that is Loaded with foodstuff he perceived valuable to him in this strange cold environment. Samoa is now the spectacle of attraction. He is puzzled not knowing what to do or where to go.
CHAPTER 2
ON AIRFIELD
Samoa a cleaver individual, now considers himself to be a "Bogus" who is defined in the dictionary as "Specious SHAM." In his colloquial language, "Bogor" is Ignorant- a false pretender". Samoa invites you to join him as he narrates this particular experience on his journey.
CHAPTER 3
AT THE AIRPORT IN ENGLAND
Samoa says, "In my dilemma a gentleman come up to me and politely said, "Sir." Is anything wrong, can I help?" I am surprise that such a gentleman offered to help me. The gentleman asked me, "Do you need help? I immediately said, "Yes Sir". The gentleman followed by asking,
"Is anyone coming to meet you? I quickly said yes, but suddenly rebut, and said, "I mean no Sir". No one is to meet me."
The gentleman finally said "okay, "Where are you going?
I became more perplex because I did not know where I was going. I only knew that I was in England.
At this moment another polite gentleman, I assume to be an airport official reached me. He instantly volunteered to assist. He informed me with assurance that he would help me get a taxi to take me to London. I had no idea where I was neither did I know where London is. I was now worried realizing that the plane
Brought be me from Liberia for England. This man is telling me that the taxi will take me to London.
I tried to compose myself, and waited patiently while the gentleman called a taxi cab for me.
The taxicab driver came to me and took my suitcases and placed them in his taxi cab. I followed him to the taxicab. The taxicab driver is polite and said,
"Governor, where to."?
I immediately said, "London." The man said "Okay MIC" not knowing what that meant.
I am curious to find out. I later found out that it is a friendly expression similar to that used in his home country, Liberia to say, "Okay My friend."
The taxicab drove off for a relatively long drive from the Heathrow Airport in route bound for London. Again I was confused because I did not have a definite destination. I was quite. The taxicab driver realized that I did not have a specific address destination. He listened and waited for me to give him an address in London.
The driver than said, "Sir, it is quite late and you need to rest." He assured me that he could take me to a place where I could rest for the night. At this point, I am distressed, practically lost in a strange country. I began to think, pondering my mind for alternate input. I agreed to go along with the suggestion to get a sleeping place. The taxicab pulled up at a building and stopped.
The Driver informed me, saying "Sir. This is Black Fryer". You can go in and find a sleeping place for the night."
I was already tired from the long plane flight from Africa, the confused destination of the plane landing at Heathrow and not London. I am now on an uncertain taxi ride, from the Airport to an uncertain destination, a building where I might find a place to sleep at this late hour 2:30 am.
I gladly entered the building to find out the possibility for a sleeping place for the night. To my greatest surprise, I observed that there were both men and Women lying on the floor sleeping. I ventured to go over to a small desk I saw in the corner of the room.
I had to be careful in placing my foot to avoid stepping on others. The situation is frightening and certainly frustrating. I immediately decided to return to the taxicab and told the driver, "I cannot make it in this place"
Realizing my helpless situation, I remembered a letter that was given to me by the Secretary of State of the Republic of Liberia that is to be delivered to the Liberia Legation in London. I excitedly reached into my pocket and pleasingly, I found the letter.
To my pleasing surprise, the letter had the full address of the Liberia Legation in London. I am very happy and excited to read the full address. I took the letter out of my pocket with anxiety to announce my discovery. With eager and anxiety, I excitedly reached out to the driver and show the letter to the taxi Driver, and excitedly I said,
"I think I have found a way out of my dilemma that might hopefully provide a better sleeping place than I observed at the Black Fryer building."
I appealingly request the taxicab driver to take me to the address we now found on the letter envelop. I had the feeling that the driver was becoming wary and somewhat fed up with my undecided actions. I apologetically requested that we go to the address we have on the letter. The driver was still Polite, and willing.
I believe that his presence with me is providential. He read the address and said, Sir. I believe that this office is closed at this time of the morning.
And the day is now Saturday. I told him, with firmness, "No matter what! I want you to take me to this address since it is the Liberia Legation.
We drove out for a few minutes and the Taxi cab driver finally located the address. I was very happy and anxiously excited when I read the poster that indicated the Legation of the Republic of Liberia. The driver drove into the yard of The Liberia Legation. Being excited and anxious, I hurriedly went up the few steps and reached the front door of the building. I had no doubt I saw a door button that could be a door bell. I anxiously pressed the button several times. I must have alarmed the people in the house. I waited for a few anxious minutes and finally the door cracked open but still lashed by a door chain. A lady enquired, "Who are you"?"
This time I was thinking fast and cleverly. I immediately, responded,
"I am a Liberian in need of help." I follow ed with the urgency; I have an urgent and important letter for the Minister Extraordinary Plenipotentiary from the State Department of Liberia. Hearing this, the lady opens the door and invited me in. She said It is late or early morning and the Minister is asleep.
At this point I had gained my composure and was determined to stay in this building no matter what the consequence, because it is the property of the Government of Liberia. I saw a seat near the door entrance into the hall way. I politely took a seat and asked the taxicab driver to please bring my suit cases in the house. The lady then realized that I was determined; she took the letter and Went up the stairs. She later returned and asked me to please wait. "The Minister will be down shortly to meet me".
The Taxi Driver was patiently waiting to receive his payment for the taxicab. I called the Driver to pay him for this taxi services and particularly his assistance.
Just then I saw a tall slender elderly gentleman dressed in a nightgown with a tassel nightcap on his head. This is indeed a novelty for me. I was reminded
Of the story I read as a child, "The Shoemaker and the Elf". My first time to see a real man dressed with the nightgown and the nightcap. The Minister official, Plenipotentiary representing the Republic of Liberia, greeted me politely. He apologize for the situation. He explained that this is a bad time to be in London.
All hotels are full with guest for the London Festival. He asked that I be a little patient while he makes a telephone call to locate accommodation for me. After the telephone call, he said I have a hotel for you, but it is for only for one night. I was satisfied. I thanked him, and said I do not mind, I will rest for only one night until tomorrow when I expect better arrangements will be made. He readily agreed and made the call. He then called the Driver of the taxicab to take me to the Strand Hotel in Piccadilly Circle. The driver repacked my suitcases in the taxicab and we drove off. I was more relaxed now. I had found someone who I could call on in the morning. The taxi cab pulled up in the driveway of the Hotel. It is a large building centrally located in the busy center of London. The glittering neon lights were dazzling. I was amazed with the excitement of Piccadilly Circus. When the taxicab pulled up at the hotel, a gentleman reached for the taxicab and opened the door and held it open until I got out. The man was well dressed in a full evening suit and a top (hat). I was somewhat reluctant to have him standing patiently and politely holding the taxicab door offering assistance while I step out of the taxicab. This gentleman, who I thought was some dignitary, escorted me into the hotel. He assisted with professional dignity Then he rushed back to assist the taxi driver with my bags. I registered for my hotel room. After the registration was completed, I paid the taxi driver and expressed my appreciation with a handsome tip. Or what we in Liberia would call a good dash. The driver seemed very pleased and he offered to come back in the morning just to find out if I would need his service. Another gentleman took me to the elevator and escorted me to the floor with the assigned room. The elevator ride is thrilling. This young gentleman made sure that all of my bags were safely secured in the room.
I was impressed with the professional performance and polite attitude. I later found out that the respectful young man, who assisted me, with my bags is the Bellboy and the elevator operator. It was he who took me up on the elevator with my bags, to my assigned room. I remember that he opened the door and he politely escorted me into the room and made sure that everything of mine was alright and correct. I was Indeed surprise to have such luxurious room. I was tired and very warily sleepy. After the bellboy left, I undressed and lied down for a long sleep. I fell asleep almost immediately.
I woke up early with the urge to pee. I was in a fix. I was really jammed and did not know what to do. I did not know where to go to ease myself. I looked around the room and found a small bucket or pale. I thought it was the slop bucket. I took hold of the small bucket near the table. Without further thoughts, I pee in the small bucket. Now that I have used the bucket, I am faced with the problem of disposing the pee. While I was thinking on what I could do to get rid of the urine or pee, I heard a knock at the room door. I was frightened because, I had already slept one night in the room. This is another day. I remembered that the Mister at the office told me that I had the room for only one night. I figured the Hotel people had come to take the room from me. Now I am faced with two problems. I had to get rid of the pee or urine in the bucket and the next to figure
What to do about a place to sleep if I have to leave this hotel room. Weighing the situation, I decided the best thing to do is to stay in the room and do not open the room door. Imagine I was placing myself in room confinement. Fortunately for me, whoever is knocking on the room door has decided to stop and probably left. I was relieved. Now, I resigned to remain in the room and keep my room locked and refuse to open the door for anyone.
It is now Sunday. I could not go to the Liberia Council because offices were closed. Nothing I could do but to stay put in the room. I settled down to read my Bible the 23rd Psalm. I became content with my situation. Without fear, looking around the room, I Saw a document on the table. Reading I found that it was the directory of the hotel with valuable information.
Reading the document, I found detailed information about the hotel room and available facilities. It indicated the toilet, the bathroom, trash basket I Gained courage to explore the room.
I saw a door and I ventured to enter. I turn the door knob and pushed it open. To my surprise, I saw a room fully equipped with towels, soap toilet paper, tooth paste and small tooth brush. I was certainly amazed to find these things in this room. I wondered how these things get in this room. Despite my concern, I was happy to find them.
I had just eaten the farina and Accra ground nuts and I was feeling the urge to use the toilet. Still exploring, I saw a sign that indicated, "PULL THE CHAIN" I tried the chain and pulled on it. I heard water running and pouring into the toilet bowl. Anew that if I use the toilet, I could get rid of the waste by pulling on the chain. I hurriedly took the small pail that I was calling bucket with the urine or pee-pee and I empted the pee-pee (urine) into the toilet bowl and pulled the chain. To
My Surprise and delight water rushed into the bowl and the urine disappeared. I carefully washed out the small pale or bucket and placed it back near the table where it was originally. After successfully disposing of the waste I heard another Knock at the room door. I was prepared to deal with the person knocking at the door. I asked, "Who is it"? The lady voice, Voice responded, "Maid service Sir. I am here to clean your room." She continued, "Sir, would you like for me to clean your room now or later?" I Replied, "You can come in now. I opened the door and a beautiful lady entered apologetically saying I am very sorry Sir. I came earlier but you were sleeping."
I can do it now if you desire. She also informed me that the room service came to inform you that you could have free breakfast. She assured me that the Sunday restaurant is still open for service. She continued, Sir if you desire, I could clean up While you have your lunch. I was still skeptical about the room situation. I told the Cleaner lady, I will remain here in the room while you clean. I decided to take a comfortable seat and read a newspaper that was left at the door. Before doing that, I felt the urge to go to the toilet. I asked the lady if it is alright for me to use the bathroom toilet bowl. The young lady replied, "Oh yes Sir it is yours to use". I ate some Accra groundnuts and wrapped up the chaffs in scrap paper until I could find possible way to get rid of it.
I asked the cleaning lady, where I could I possibly get rid of this trash paper stuff? The cleaning lady said, "Please Sir. Gave it to me. I will put it right in the trash basket." She took the paper and placed it into the small bucket or trash basket that I called slop bucket.
I courageously walked into the bathroom. To ease myself on the bowl the lady showed me. I satisfied myself and had a good pass I had stored from almost two days of desire. After all of my discoveries and self education, I am satisfied that I do not have anything to fear. I could stay in the hotel room for another day which is Monday when all offices including the Liberia Council General will also are open. Reflecting on my situation, in England, I was convinced of my inability to cope with obvious national geographical separation. Distinguishing The Air port and the City. I was deeply moved to conceive that I had ignored the necessity to consult the few citizens who might have been in some way exposed to such culture Environment.
I was moved to consider my original African situation and environment. I reflected on the improvised facilities for taking a bath practically exposed out of doors. To urinating or peeing practically openly exposed. Using the WC, bathroom toilet I could not conceive that these facilities were available for daily need. I realize that such exposure for normal daily use. I decided that such information must be made available to other young people to know when they travel and encounter such different social culture. They will be aware that such facilities and utilities are made available in the house for convenience.
