It’s interesting to note the observation that Monrovia is a place where diamonds are traded. These are almost certainly stones which were smuggled out of Southeastern Sierra Leone, in the Kenema region. So much for the so-called “Kimberly Accords” which were supposed to address the issue of “blood diamonds”. (Don’t mean to sound a sour note, let’s move on…)

As you can see, however, the observations of a traveler are valuable all of us stuck in the workaday world. Stay young, and travel in happiness! Cheers.

Buzz – I was white and I also walked around at night with no problems. Does this make the place safe? No. Does this mean that everyone can walk about at night with no problems? No. For example, why do you not wander about at West Point? There is no “self-heroic embellishment” in my article. My opinion about onward travel to the Ivory Coast was based on talking to people in the area. Perhaps, as you say, it was safe. I will never know.

nate – In the context of Polo’s Bastards, I suppose Monrovia is not particularly dangerous. It’s no Afghanistan! But there is no fully effective law enforcement, medical facilities are severely limited and there is widespread poverty. The place is a recovering war zone, with UN troops to prove it. It is also a transit point for South American cocaine heading to Europe, as well as a hub of the area’s diamond smuggling industry. You are right, President Sirleaf has done a brilliant job so far, and my story does not aim to detract from her achievements, but she and her country have a long way to go. I hope they make it!

Buzz, you one of those albino black fellas?!