Journal

July 10, 2006
Leaving Nigeria

I am writing from Heathrow airport where I have a 6hr layover on my way to Vancouver and home
to Kelowna for my 3+ week break. The flight here was smooth and the process at the Lagos
airport relatively easy.

On Friday I traveled by bus to Lagos and arrived around 2:30pm in a mud puddle at Ojota. Lagos
has been getting a lot of rain and I was warned that I may been a boat to get around! A smooth
negotiation with the taxi drivers took place next. I gave them my last price then walked away when
it was not accepted thinking to myself if they don’t come after my in 10 steps I am in trouble cause
I am not going to get my 80lb bag over that huge mud bog ahead. As usual they came after me
and I was loaded into a taxi to take me 15min for the same price (600naira) that I paid to travel
5hrs form Ilorin to Lagos.

It was like coming home to arrive at Panni’s. We caught up over lunch and she headed back to
the office and I took a much needed nap. Thursday night I had my hair braided and reached a
record of 9hrs! Starting at 4pm we didn’t finish till after 1am. Baba would not let the poor tired girl
to go home so I set her up for the night in my guest room and paid a nice fee 1100naira. The hair
looks great and is fun to take home but I don’t think I’ll be doing this style again!

Panni and I got up early Saturday morning to head to Tarqway Bay to relax on the beach and so I
could finish my shopping. Deb and CJ joined us just after 10am and Panni had to leave for a
work film screening at 1pm. It was a nice relaxing day but a little cool because of strong wind and
there was no beach merchants to be found so some people are getting gifts from Duty Free in
Heathrow! After the beach Deb treated us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Bubbles. It was
fantastic! The fajitas and margaritas were a real treat. After dinner Panni and I changed and got
ready for a night out on VI(Victoria Island). Yousef and his friends picked us up and off we went to
check out the night scene. We started with cocktails at a lovely Brazilian bar on the lagoon
followed by 2 night clubs where we danced till 5am. It was great to finally get to go out on the town
in Lagos.

On Sunday it rained so we had to cancel plans to meet Chantal and Julius at Tejishu market and
relaxed for most the day. At 5pm my friend Mudi picked me up to take me to the airport and check
in for my 11:30pm flight. He’s a pilot for a local airline and with his ID badge helped for a smooth
entrance to the airport and jumping the queue to get me checked in through business class. At
the counter my bag read 28kg, only 23kg’s is allowed but she didn’t comment and checked me
through to Vancouver. After that comes customs where you have to open your bag and let them
search. I have carving and crafts and no certificate to accompany them which can be cause for
them to ask you to pay. I smiled and greeted them in Yoruba: Good Afternoon, Well Done! They
were so shocked and impressed the guy said to me, “you really try, I no go search your bag”,
followed by, “do you have a Nigerian husband?”, my response: “not yet!” Lots of smiles and
laughs and I was done checking in and free to go the The Londoner with my friends to watch Italy
with the soccer World Cup before returning to the Airport for 10pm check in.

After a smooth flight where I was able to get some sleep I have my stay here in Heathrow –
proceed directly to Starbucks and order Grande Hazelnut Latte! Next 9hr flight to Vancouver, 4hr
wait ,and 1hr flight home to Kelowna where I will proceed directly to the hospital to visit my
grandma before she leaves Tuesday for open heart surgery in Vancouver.

July 5, 2006
Green Belt

Last night I had my Karate Grading and I am happy to tell you I got my Green belt. I would have
been very happy with Orange Belt so Green is Great! I was very nervous and it was hard work to
do everything at once so very tired and out of breath by the end, but it was fun too. Bimpe came
along with me and managed to take over 100 pictures as well as a few videos so the event is well
recorded. At then end everyone wanted their picture taken with me, including people who I don’t
even know.

As we were rapping up a huge storm was brewing and before we could make it to the road and
into a taxi it hit full force and we ran for cover along with about 60 other people at a gas station.
Posted a picture of me in the rain at the station. After a bit we managed to grab a taxi for a long
ride home as in the dark and rain traffic was jammed everywhere.

Shortly after I got home the light came on and I treated myself to grilled cheese sandwiches.
Since there was light I boiled water for a nice warm bath. As I was walking to the bathroom,
thermos of hot water in one hand and kettle with boiling water in the other the light went out. In the
dark I forgot about my suitcase on the floor and tripped over it hard. I had no hands to brace my
fall and managed to bruise and skin both knees and elbows, one hip, sprain my right thumb as
well as burn ½ my right hand with the boiling water, and smash the thermos to pieces leaving
glass and hot water all over the floor. Not a fun time. As I lay there stunned in the dark the light
came back on so I could see the disaster and clean up a bit. My bath was not relaxing but rather
painful with a burnt hand. After that I had had enough of Tuesday so I went to bed. Today my
thumb and one knee are pretty sore but mostly my pride is injured. If I lived in the US I could
probably sue the power company!!!

July 4, 2006
Almost Time

Last weekend I headed off to Kabba for a party the Kabba boys were holding as an informal
celebration of both their birthdays that happen at some point during the year. It turned out to be a
great time with about 30 VSO and other guests, most of which came from Abuja, to join in the fun.

On my way to Kabba I ended up in the front of a Peugeot car next to a pastor from a church not far
from where I live. He was really interested in my work and we had a really good chat about life.
When our car broke down and we spent 20min getting it repaired he bought me some fresh bean
cakes. I have discovered a new favorite food! Bean cakes are made from ground up beans mixed
with pepe and onion and water. This mixture is then dropped into sizzling oil till cooked. Not a
very healthy option but boy are they tasty! Mr. Baba Tunde and I parted with a promise that he will
come to the school on Thursday before I leave to collect some flyers to give out to his
congregation and encourage people to come to our school.

This week is a busy week as I try to wrap things up and get ready to leave. Tonight I am being
graded for karate. I am hoping for my orange belt. If I have a meltdown I will get yellow and if I am
really on a role there is a chance at green. I have been training hard the last two weeks to get
ready for this. I wanted to do the test before I leave and forget everything! Wednesday and
Thursday will be spent packing and getting ready before I travel to Lagos on Friday and from there
home to Canada.