Author: Julie

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa 140,000,000 (2006); 17,000,000 in Lagos.

Nigeria is twice as large as the state of California.

Seventy percent of the people earn less than $1.00/day.

In Nigeria over 300 languages are spoken with 9 of these languages used in network broadcasting.

Nigeria is a democracy since the constitution of 1999 and just celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence from Great Britian.

Here is the view from our hotel window.  In the foreground is a popular fishing lagoon, Kumara Waters, bounded by Bar Beach.  In the distance is the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Hi all!

Today I ventured out with our Driver, Chinedu.  Chinedu took me to “The Palms”, a shopping center with about 60 stores including 5 cell phone stores, a grocery SHOPRITE (part of a South African chain), GAME (they sell everything but cars), and a cineplex.  The parking lot was full, most every car had a driver waiting.  This is a very popular shopping complex with the ex-pats [ex-patriots] (people like me).   In all it is about 6 miles away from the hotel and took 40 minutes to get there.  The streets are crowded with cars and scooters.  We passed some housing construction, a new huge apartment complex with 5 cows grazing in the front yard.  On the way back numerous scooters zipped in and out as well as 2 horses (no riders).  I have no clue as to where they came from.  So in a city of 12 million spread over 3 islands – life continues to be an adventure.     

So, today, Saturday, June, 28th, we’re hanging out with our friends at Dave French’s house in Magnolia, Texas.  The day’s spent so far eating, playing cards, drinking, eating, playing pool, drinking, eating, playing with the dogs, drinking…

Seriously, we are going to miss our friends so much, but we are counting on making additional friends in Nigeria!  It’s always a little bit “scary” giving up everything that you know and that you’re comfortable with, but life is an adventure, and Julie and I believe that you have never really lived life to the fullest unless you’ve pushed the envelope of your comfortability factor and reached out to the global experience.  We know that Nigeria will challenge our comfort factor and our views on life and the world, but we welcome that experience, and hope that we will continue to grow in our appreciation of the true human condition.

And to all of our friends, we love you and look forward to staying as close as possible while we are over “the pond”.  Stay Safe!!

More to follow…

Dear Friends:

This is how we can keep you all informed of the adventures over the next several months.  We have spent the last month preparing for the big move.  And on June 30 we will leave for Lagos, Nigeria.  This weekend we are spending with friends: card playing, billiards, barbeque and great conversations.

Check back to see where our adventure takes us.

Rocky and Julie