We were bussed out of the office today for a small competition to determine Shell’s world class swimmer at the Ikoyi Club.
There were three teams in green, red and yellow polo shirts. The winners of these same competitions in Warri and Port Harcourt were flown to Lagos to compete.
Individual races, men races, women races and team races, with crowds cheering and medals for the winners. Swimming was then followed by a celebratory meal….and not one computer in sight! Now that is a different work day!
Today was a lazy day at the beach. Very quiet, small waves, and balmy waether. A beautiful day for walking the beach. While I searched for beach glass I found our boat driver, Samuel and his son fishing. After 4 swings and pulls of the net, their green bag was full of fish. They were planning a fish fry for lunch.
Thursdays are crafts morning…I devote 3 hours to sitting with friends of the British Womens Group to make craft items for our annual bazaar. The bazaar funds the needs of our charities. While the bazaar will not be held until November we are already busy working. This morning we are making gecko’s.
Our favorite Scottish celebration is that of Burns Night. Burns Night Ball celebrates the poetry of Robert Burns. While the event is quit festive it is one of the few nights one can dress in their finest and dance away. The hagis is paraded, whiskey toasts made, poetry read, the lads and lassies addressed and the dancing begins. Rocky and I hosted a table of friends and had a spectacular evening!
Julie & RockyJulie, Kaye, and DupeLinda & PeteCrockett & Tonya
Ana Marie & Eric
Guy & Sue
Bagpipes & a ParadePauline & Cheiftan ColinDancing...Dancing...Dancing....Dancing the night away!
Rocky took the opportunity to go have a quiet day at the Beach while Julie was still in the USA. What he found was the entire Ishahayi Village out at the Beach pulling fishing nets.
American Women’s Club (AWC) supports 13 charitiesby a variety of resources. But those who have the calling to work as staff for these charities are rarely thanked or reconginized. So each Christmas AWC provides gift bags of food for the staff of our charities. We gather in one room to fill “go-to-Ghana” bags with flour, gary, pasta, beans, casava, rice, tomato paste, sardines, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and other small nessecities. Over One hundred bags were organized and distributed this year.
The International Women’s Society hosted a major fundraiser to support their charities. To raise funds they authored a coffee table book celebrating the last fifty years of the Fashion Industry in Nigeria. This book features women who set the pace. Women who defied society and the fear of being outcast by not going into the “professional jobs” after colonization. Women with passion who decided to make fashion their careers. This coffee table book was launched in the most festive astmosphere. The highpoints included three unique fashion shows, flamingo dancers, and the selling of the first copy of the book, which was autographed by every designer featured in the book. The book sold to a Nigerian Woman Senator, Senetor Daisy, for One Million Naira! I was lucky enough to obtain a book boxed in traditional fabric with several designer autographs also. What an afternoon!
What a hat!
The First Book - One Million Naira
All the proceeds of this book are going toward the running of the IWS Home for Abandoned Children in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
September 29th was the big day. A group of expatriate women have put together a collection of recipes for sips, snacks, soups, salads, savories and sweets. The result is “Small Chop”. Small Chop was launched and we were invited to enjoy homemade treats taken straight from the pages of this cookbook. It was a delightful afternoon.
Tasty Treats
All the proceeds go 100% to supporting the Ishahayi Beach School which is located just a 10 minutes’ walk from our very own beach house. The school is 70 students and growing. The funds raised today will go toward a library for the students.
Jenny, Sue & Linda - my neighbors who attended the launch with me
The American Women’s’ C was privileged to host their annual tea on the grounds of the American Consulate General ‘s Residence in Ikoyi. It is a beautiful wide lawn backing on the waters of the Bight of Benin, peaceful and away from the bustle of Lagos. We were re-acquainted with old friends to the tunes from the US Navy Band. Bill Stafford, the current CG, was our guest speaker. His wife, Kathleen was proclaimed the honorary President of the AWC. It was afternoon of wine and cheese from La Pointe (the local French grocery) and savories and sweets from the GQ (the American Guest Quarters). Several of the AWC scholarship students attended as well as the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Fashola, (the Lagos state Governor’s wife).
Today the AWC celebratede it’s 50th Anniversary.
US Navy Band
Friends & Attendees
Trustees & AWC's 50th Anniversary Celebration
CG Bill Stafford & The First Lady Mrs. Fashola surrounded by AWC Scholarship Students (in black & white) also accompanied by Kathleen Stafford
Peggy won the Door Prize!
Sunday Ujie, the Incredible Raffle Ticket Salesman who also doubles as our Driver
Tembo House Hotel waterfrontRoad tunneling through a buildingLocal FishermanForodhani GardensHouse of WondersOld FortDhow PalaceBrass Studded Ornate Wood DoorsCatholic Church RestorationStone Town Harbour from atop the House of WondersFishing Dhow Indian OceanSea AmmenotitesDolphin Diving
