The plane just touched down, it was 6PM something. Here I am, having myself embarked into a new series of my peacekeeping journey, but this time.. it’s kind of different.

For the past 1,5 years, I’ve been away from this country – yes, I was home in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. Liberia, for me was like a second home, where back in 2006 – 2007, I was serving here in this mission as United Nations Volunteer. Man!, it was a founding moment for me, a milestone that has given me the opportunities to take the courage and show my contribution that being a volunteer staff could also deliver the kind of quality dedication to work assigned as those other full-fledged international civilian staffs.

Though I was previously serving as a UNV (United Nations Volunteer), this new contract terms put me as an external candidate, joining the United Nations Peacekeeping mission. Therefore, a series of induction training is a must. DPKO (Departmentof Peacekeeping & Operations) is a department under the secretariat that arranging all induction traiinings for newly recruited international staffs deployed to the peacekeeping missions to initially undergone an induction training in its Logistics Base in Brindisi, Italy.

So there I was for 1 week, spending series of sessions about how the peacekeeping works and what to expect while deployed on the ground, possible security threats and the likes. In short, it was a fine sessions and I got to know new bunch of UN officers from several countries of origins, assigned to different missions. Some of them are totally new to the UN system and few of them have served prior to this international contract terms as volunteers, just like myself.

As the ‘fun’ was over, the time comes when everyone is to embark into his/her field assignments. My next destination is UNMIL, the United Nations Mission in Liberia, and I’d be based in the capital, Monrovia. I have to admit that though travling is nothing new, however the itinerary that was made available to me was somehow too show, whereby the spare time in between transit was really a narrow gap.

The initial flight from Brindisi took me to Rome, it was very short flight, indeed, However having the tight connection, had made me left rushing from the arrival terminal to the next one at departure. Finally, I got myself on board and flown to Brussels to connect with t he flight to Monrovia. It was really nice to have all the travel arranged under business class, all the way from Dushanbe – Tajikistan, where I begin my peacekeeping journey – part deux, with stopover in Brindisi, Italy and all the way to Monrovia, Liberia.

I guess I considered myself lucky, to have friends surrounded me all step of the way, the ones I made previously during my initial assignment as volunteer – still stayed in active touch base, to include the new pack whom I just recently met while on training in Brindisi. From the moment I know that the career appointment with UNMIL was confirmed, necessary arrangement were then put forward, which to include search of decent accomodation. A decent place to stay in the mission area , is a scarce commodity indeed. Help from friends whose already on the ground would really make life easier. At least, I know in the back of my mind that I’d have a confimed place to sleep on my first night of arrival, other than a hotel – which normally cost too much with poor standards.

As people say; “..smooth roads never make one a good driver..”

Yeah, right! – back to the first paragraph I wrote above now.. it was 6 PM, and I knew that there were not many passengers left in the baggage claim area, and yet I was still in seach of my luggage. The noise of the baggage conveyer belt was really loud seems that the gears was not that properly lubricated, just like machines in an old mills/factory.. from that incoming corner where it began to appear, I saw nothing came up that resembles my suitcase.

I’ll be damned! – said to myself. Just could not image this was happening to me, whereby all stuffs were packed there inside that suitcase. spare clothes, and other personal effects. After series of run-around and getting the help from the airline ground staff, it was then confirmed that my luggage was not loaded to the plane, maybe it was still taking its time to breathe a fresh air in Brussels, while I am now stuck with just the clothes I am wearing. I knew that the guys outside the terminal have been waiting for me impatiently.

‘Guess, I’d have to wear the undies inside out for tomorrow..

As I walked from the terminal and seen an old folks, the friends that continued to stay with the mission whom I left them 1.5 years ago were standing there.. their frowns were then changed to smiles ..and then laughs as they began to notice that I was out from the building without the luggage. Hey, a delayed luggage is pretty normal when you fly to this particlar part of the region.. as one fellow I met on the plane also shared his previous travel nightmare. I must pray that I will meet my delayed luggage and hope that it won’t be lost.

Perhaps, that was a welcome note for me. Welcome to Liberia! – when things turn out wrong.. then lower your expectation.

Well, guys.. those are some I can share to you on my first days here.. I’d be sharing further on how I go through the time and for friends of whom I left back home in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.. I’d be seeing you again in the next 6 months and for those new arrivals, just like me, deployed in the Darfur region and everywhere else within the UN-DPKO’s mission, I could only say: Welcome to the United Nations, It is your world – too.

I hope to hear from you, feel free to share your comments here and I’d be speaking with you soon. From Monrovia, Liberia.. cheers!