You never know when something good may come your way. At least, I don't. And, sometimes, that goodness pops up in my email box. If it's there waiting for me first thing in the morning, it's a wonderful way to start the day.
I had one of those mornings recently. The email was from the U.S. Embassy in Togo (already a good sign) and they wanted to know if I was free to come to West Africa next month. Next month is less than a week away. As long as I have no trouble getting a visa, it won't take me any time to pack my bags. Of course, a visa isn't always a fast thing to attain. The last time I went to Africa, the U.S. State Department had to get involved to push along a certain foreign embassy with their paperwork. I got my passport and visa the night before departure!
In my request, the people at the embassy wanted to know if I was interested in a mural project that would include a local artist and some students. If you know anything about my work, you know that falls into place perfectly with what I do. I replied with about fifteen lines in all capital letters screaming, "YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!" And then, I gave a few suggestions to help them plan. For every other project I've painted with embassies, I've painted two murals over about a two week period. Since they want me along with a local artist, I thought it might be good to paint two murals (as usual) with me designing one mural and the local artist designing the other. I like to share the ownership when I can.
I'm not going to be surprised if none of you know where Togo is located. But, since I was in the Peace Corps in Liberia, I know that Togo is three countries to the right of Liberia. (If you don't know where Liberia is located, well, I just can't help you.) Anyway, the only other thing I know about Togo is that they speak French. That doesn't phase me in the slightest. I've painted murals with people who speak French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian, Albanian, Estonian, Swahili, Afrikaans, Fijian, Quechua, and Russian sign language. Language is not a barrier.
However, it's been over a week since I sent that reply. I've not heard a peep from Togo.
I still live in hope.
A beautiful day in Ohio for some coffeeBut, some other good things are brewing for me in West Africa in addition to Togo. Like I said, Togo is only three countries away from Liberia. The office in every embassy that I always deal with is the Public Affairs Office. After all, my murals are great for public relations! I may or may not meet the ambassador as I paint my murals, but I always have frequent communication with the Public Affairs Officer in every country.
Well, it just so happened that the current Public Affairs Officer in Liberia is from Columbus, Ohio! Who knew? Sometimes it's a very small world, you must agree. And, it gets even better! The Public Affairs Officer, Sean, was home visiting family this week and suggested we get together for coffee at his favorite hometown coffee shop, Stauf's Coffee.
It was perhaps the best cup of coffee I ever had!
If you have ever traveled a lot overseas, you may know that most of the people back home are not interested in what you did on your vacation. It's too foreign. They can't relate. If you talk too long, eyes start to glaze over. But, if you meet a fellow traveler, that just isn't a concern. There is so much to talk about -- especially if you share the same country in your travels.
So, of course, we talked about Liberia.
I had to tell the Public Affairs Officer that I once was the most famous Peace Corps Volunteer in all of Liberia. Yep, it was legendary status for a while. I mean, two of my Peace Corps friends and I survived a bus wreck on the first day of our vacation in the Ivory Coast. And, then on the third day of the trip, the two women were jumped by rogues with knives. I had to stop the attack by taking a flying leap into the air like Superman and knocking one of the thieves to the ground. It's always a little grueling to have to be a superhero, but I saved the day that time. Of course, I didn't know that those rogues with knives had a habit of slicing up people who resisted them. However, I'm fairly sure that they never faced Superman very often either.
After talking international experiences, we had a more local conversation about Columbus. I wanted to be sure he saw one of my murals while he was home. My most visible mural is at a food pantry not so far from the Ohio State University. But, another one that is really huge, was in Sean's home stomping grounds of Upper Arlington. I asked him if he knew where Tremont Elementary was located. It was a simple question. I didn't expect to have my sock knocked off. He did it anyway. "Yes, I know where it is. My best friend from middle school days, Tino, teaches music there."
I know Tino!
My favorite music teacher in Upper Arlington was one of over 650 people to help with the mural at Tremont Elementary.
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His music classroom was the closest one to my mural project. I stored supplies inside and outside of his room. He was an incredible teacher and such a nice person. I was blown away with how small the world can be at times. The Public Affairs Officer, Sean, said that he picks up musical instruments for Tino in every country where he has been stationed. When he goes to Tremont later this week, Sean's homework is to take a selfie with Tino in front of my mural.
When our time was coming to an end, I told Sean that I brought some "show and tell". I told him that while a certain nasty virus shut down my murals, I've been writing and illustrating children's books. Then, I asked how old his two children were. Ten and eight were perfect numbers. I reached into my backpack and pulled out a copy of A Fowl Chain of Events for his two kids. It's never a mistake to do something kind for someone's kids. This book is particularly beautiful with background pages inspired by Zimbabwean fabric patterns. Sean thought that my books should be included in the American Corners Libraries across Liberia. I loved that idea.
And then, it was my turn to knock his socks off.
Once Upon West AfricaThis time, from my backpack, I grabbed a copy of Once Upon West Africa for him. Blown away! Delighted! Shocked to see anything like this existed! Yep, pick any of those descriptions and they applied here. Sean said the best thing he could have possibly said, "I'm going to show this to the ambassador!" Yes, some more copies of my books are going to end up in Liberian hands. Just the thought of that makes me so very happy.
It was a very good West African day for me. I may even have to prepare some cassava leaves (my favorite dish from Liberia) in order to properly celebrate. But, perhaps the best possible news was saved for the end of the meeting. In my travels in Thailand, I once decided to go to Cambodia for the weekend since I was in "the neighborhood". For me, that is just normal behavior. It seems that it might just be normal in Africa as well. Sean said to keep him posted on the progress with muraling in Togo. As long as I'm in West Africa, he wants me to come to Liberia to paint. It sounds like I need to write to Togo again.
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