Location Monrovia, Liberia

Episode Notes It’s November 24th, and what should have been a simple errand turned into one of those days that only seems to happen on the road in West Africa. I went into town looking for an ATM that actually worked—no luck. It was Monday, and the weekend had wiped them all out.

I decided to pivot and get a coffee near a big hotel. I parked where I’d parked before without any problems. This time, though, I came back to find a padlock clamped onto my front wheel by private security. I had a choice: pay $80 on the spot or get towed for $250. After some negotiation and finagling, it came down to $60—making that one very expensive coffee.

While all this was happening, a man named Jimmy appeared, watching my truck. He remembered me from Aberdeen in Freetown, days and days of driving away, recognizing me by my orange scarf. That kind of unexpected human connection still amazes me.

On the way back to the hotel, I met Michael, a sincere 25-year-old who wants to attend vocational school but can’t afford it. I paid $60 to help him get started, with plans to possibly support him further once enrollment opens in February. The need here is endless, but helping one person feels meaningful.

As if that wasn’t enough for one day, back at the hotel another guest invited me to his room—to show me gold bars. Actual gold, tied to village mining operations six hours outside Monrovia, involving local chiefs and entire communities. I didn’t buy any, but just being there for that story was surreal.

Life out here keeps getting stranger, richer, and more human by the day.

Key Moments

• 00:00 – Opening / Setting the Day I set the scene: November 24th, heading into town with a simple goal and no idea what the day has in store.
• 01:20 – ATM Hunt in Monrovia I explain trying multiple ATMs, realizing it’s Monday and they’ve all been drained over the weekend.
• 03:10 – The Coffee Decision I decide to get coffee near a large hotel and park where I’ve parked before without trouble.
• 04:30 – The Padlock Surprise I return to my truck and discover a padlock clamped onto the front wheel by private security.
• 06:10 – $80 or $250: The Choice I’m told my options—pay $80 immediately or get towed for $250.
• 07:45 – Negotiating Down to $60 After some back-and-forth, I manage to negotiate the fee down to $60.
• 09:10 – Jimmy Reappears Jimmy shows up to “watch” my truck and recognizes me from Aberdeen in Freetown, days away by road.
• 11:00 – The World Feels Small I reflect on how unlikely it is to be recognized across countries, tied together by an orange scarf.
• 12:30 – Meeting Michael On the way back to the hotel, I meet Michael, a 25-year-old who wants to attend vocational school.
• 14:10 – Helping with School Enrollment I decide to give $60 to help him begin the process, hoping he’ll follow through.
• 15:50 – Breaking Down the Real Costs I explain the vocational school fees: $40 signup, $20 exam, and under $1,000 for a full year.
• 17:20 – The Gold Bar Encounter Back at the hotel, another guest shows me real gold bars connected to village mining operations.
• 19:10 – Closing Reflection I wrap up, reflecting on how the day spiraled from an ATM errand into something far stranger and more meaningful.