Hello folks, I am back with more observations of my newly acquired country-Nigeria. Thanks for all the best wishes. Continue to remember me in your prayers and in the meantime let us continue on this wonderful journey of ours.
It’s the last Saturday of the month and I have so much to do today but I am stuck at home. Ask me why. Well, in Lagos, there is an environmental sanitation exercise every last Saturday of the month starting at seven in the morning. Residents are expected to stay in to clean their homes and surroundings. Trust me you do not want to be caught out. So I await patiently till after ten when I can finally step out.
In my previous piece I forgot to mention how respectful Nigerians are. Prostrating or curtsying is a norm when greeting your elders and the use of Sir and Ma are common. I found this so odd at first (thank God my in-laws are very understanding) with my westernized hi, hello and hugs but with time I learnt to appreciate it and found myself following suit at times. It creates a function of respect that exists between the different age groups which is admirable.
Two weeks ago, I went to braid my hair and was very excited hearing people refer to me as Aunty and Ma. It made me feel important and respected (brushing my shoulders lol).One thing that struck me was the encouragement and empathy shown by the ladies as they braided my hair. “Well done Ma”. “Sorry Ma”. I wondered what I had actually done to deserve this praise and affection but it does add to great customer service. I did not hesitate to tip them once they were done.
I have been to a number of Nigerian homes as well as hotels and restaurants (eateries) and one thing that struck me was their preference for yam for breakfast and this is normally served with egg stew, palm oil stew or fried whole egg with some sauce on the side. At this juncture, I must say that my husband has been very understanding as he never complains when I serve him English breakfast. I am however gradually adapting this Nigerian style which ensures that one gets the needed amount of energy to start the day.
The first time I drove within Lagos (the bourgeois part though), I was impressed by how easy it was to reach my destination due to proper street naming and placements of street signs. Nothing like, ‘when you reach the orange seller turn right’ or ‘after that large MTN advertisement board, count three junctions to your left after which you will see a green story building’ lol. Names of the various streets corresponded perfectly with that of Google Maps.
This is just by the way but I woke up this morning yearning for waakye (rice and beans) with all its condiments- talia (sautéed spaghetti), wele (cow hide), gari, leaves and shito (Ghanaian black pepper sauce). Yes, and with some fried plantain on the side. I know some of you feel my pain.