Push-ups And Rainbow Lizards

The Rainbow Agama of Liberia

One of the first things that welcomed me on my return to Liberia in 2011 was an orange-headed lizard doing push-ups on a rock just outside Roberts International Airport. He bobbed his head up and down like he was excited to see me and when I saw him the childhood memories suddenly flooded over me. I actually found myself smiling as I whispered aloud, "hello, my friend."  

Introducing Mr. Agama Agama

Mr. Agama poking his head over a concrete well base

Technically these lizards are called Agama Agama, but like Gandolf they go by many names: Common Agama, Red-Headed Rock Agama, or Rainbow Agama. In my sophistication I like to refer to them as "lizards" or "those lizards with orange heads".  

..And He Made Them Male and Female...

There are actually two types of Agama one will see; one is just more or less brown and one has an orange-ish colored head (and sometimes a dark blue body).  Like many species in the animal kingdom the males are the prettier ones here. I guess they need to show off in order to get the ladies' attention as this practice of turning color only happens during mating season. As if this weren't enough they also like to climb up on rocks during this season and start busting out a massive amount of push up reps.  It ends up looking like they are headbanging or be-bopping if you ask me.  Hey, if it works....

I see a little orange on the body here so I don't know if this is a juvenile male or a female agama.  My guess is a male juvenile. There are some that are even more brown, but they all have this sort of  'cryptic' patterning.

The males are also territorial and will fight to keep their hood. It is fascinating to watch them fight. They do a lot of side winding and tail whipping. It is quite the sight! The loser is sent away to another patch of area to set up his domain, and the winner presumably gets to continue flaunting his pretty head while doing push ups in front of all his neighborhood ladies.

These Things Are Everywhere!

A male is perched upon the tin roof (rather blurry -- sorry). Two females climb the walls running away as I approach

It is not uncommon to see scores of these lizards all scurrying across a rock landscape or the side of a heated concrete wall (as if there were any other type of concrete wall in Liberia). It can be a little startling at first when you see a group of agama scurry; it almost looks like the wall is alive until your eyes focus and you make out the small village of lizards running in all directions.  

Three agama watch with suspicion as I bring the camera closer

For the most part these lizards do seem to be skittish. Perhaps it is just my "kwee-poo" clumsiness but the agama tended to run away from me whenever I got within just 10 feet. This is why I kicked myself for not having a good zoom on my camera in 2011. This past trip I had a better zoom and so I snapped a few pics of them in my free time. I also included a few of my older pics in this mix that are not of the best quality, but I just wanted you to get a glimpse of these fascinating Liberian lizards.  In my opinion they are part of what makes Liberia, Liberia; even though my Liberian friends laughed at me for 'wasting pictures' on lizards! :-) Hope you have enjoyed!

They also seem to have an almost chameleon like quality which makes it a challenge to photograph.  Can you see the one male blended in just to the left of the hole in the wall?

There are actually 3 agama in this pic. Can you spot them?

My friends here found it very humorous that I wasted pictures on lizards.  They figured themselves to be better subject matter. I agree!  God bless Liberia!

The Liberian Teddy Bear

Teddy Bears chilling on the living room curtain rod

 There is hardly anything that can put a smile on my face like the ubiquitous Liberian "teddy bear".  In Liberia all stuffed animals are called "teddy bear" (pron: teh day beh) whether they are actually a bear or not, and these guys are found everywhere! 

Elmo is watching you!

In fact, whenever you enter a Liberian home do not be surprised to find these 'teddy bears' being used as a form of interior decor in many of the main living areas.  In other words, these 'teddy bears' are not relegated to the bedroom of children as is often the case in the States, but rather they are proudly put on full display in prominent places all throughout many Liberian homes.  I for one have to say that there is something about seeing Sonic the Hedgehog chilling out with Boots, Scooby Doo, and Elmo on top of a window curtain in the middle of Liberia that just brings out feelings of awesome and childhood glee. 

Scooby and Eeyore look forlorn. Is it because they mourn the ineffectiveness of these non-functioning donated CRT monitors?

Nothing can keep you company
quite like a giant purple
dinosaur!

I'm not sure of the cultural significance or the feng shui of this phenomenon, but I have to tell you I really enjoy seeing Liberian 'teddy bear' decor and hope that you have enjoyed this brief taste of it as well. And you know, at the end of the day, who doesn't want to come home to some colorful, huggable, soft, fluffiness? I hope you've enjoyed these decorating ideas straight from the Land of Liberty...

Yes, this frog and bunny would both be called 'teddy bear' in Liberia.

Boots!

The Strawberry Shortcake TV dust cover goes with the theme.

This purple guy always put a smile on my face when I walked into the room, although I somehow felt some uneasiness (perhaps for the safety of the Easter chicken on the stereo speaker?).

As a side note: pay no attention to calendars on the wall in Liberia. They are often just there for decoration as well and are usually several years old.

Relaxing with friends is always best done with teddy bears around you! Peace to Liberia!

Breakfast in Liberia

Liberian pineapple would rival any worldwide!

There are a great many options when it comes to the first meal of the day in Liberia. The Lone Star Republic offers some of the best pineapple in the world, also banana, mango, and oranges; actually the list of great fruit options goes on and on... There are also specialty breakfast dishes like "moe nee kalah mah" (the ready-made Mandingo inspired breakfast in a bag) and farina that are definitely worth trying. Today I want to share my two favorite Liberian breakfast dishes: Gaaree and/or Calla.

Garee

A packet of 'Gaaree" straight from market and ready to prep for breakfast

A nice spot to enjoy breakfast!

What is gaaree? Gaaree is yet another Liberian dish made from the cassava plant (see fufu and dumboy). Gaaree is made by grinding the cassava root into a coarse flour and then drying. They are often sold in little plastic bags on the street. 

Here is what I do with that bag of gaaree: add hot water, a few scoops of Nido (my favorite of the powdered milk options; which are used since milk is practically non-existent in Liberia), and sugar to taste; all going into a bowl and then stirred. Note: depending on how the gaaree is dried it may take some getting used to. Often it is dried over a fire and leaves a smoky taste that is not one that you may desire first thing in the morning. I've gotten used to it, but it is a little intense for breakfast. Indirect heat drying will leave you with a delicious flavor that resembles a hearty cream of wheat sort of experience.

Calla frying in boiling oil... the smell is divine!

Calla

By far my favorite breakfast is about 3 - 7 warm calla (depending on the size). Calla are made out of some sort dough that is a cross between a doughnut and a funnel cake. It is formed into balls and dropped into a pot of boiling oil. You have two main kinds of calla: red oil calla and argo calla. These names derive from whatever oil they are deep fried in: red palm oil or vegetable oil (argo). I like them covered in granulated sugar while still hot out of the oil. A great breakfast treat! My mouth still waters whenever I think of the market caller singing: "Swee kah lah! Geh yah swee kah lah!" 

...Can't forget about the coffee!...

Sweet Calla is served!  I think I could
finish this bowl full no prob :-)

To wrap up: I enjoy both of these meals with a cup of hot coffee. Due to lack of electricity you will usually be making this with hot water from the charcoal stove and a french press or instant coffee. Coffee snobs may actually enjoy the french press process and might want to try to find Liberia's very own indigenous coffee (coffea liberica). Another option is Starbuck's Via packets which are known to create a nice cup of coffee. I actually found the local market offers a "3 in 1 instant coffee" packet that really isn't all that bad! My people, I tell you.... Nothing beats sipping a cup of hot coffee and filling up on gaaree and/or calla while there is a nice Liberian rain starting outside and beating on the "zinc" overhead.  :-)

Coffee, Nido, and mango while we wait for calla.