A Taste of Nigeria

The title here seems a bit controversial as I would not actually suggest anyone to taste Nigeria, however, after talking to some Nigerian friends, I have learned that it is common here for children (who are old enough to know better) to eat sand, just pick some up while they are talking and put it in their mouth. They don’t really know why they did it, but they did. I told them I would pass on that experience.

P.S. Tomorrow I will be posting more info on my ministry here and pictures. Get so excited!

Picture This:
An African woman is walking down the dirt road barefoot with a painted pot balanced atop her head. Now I will change that picture into the reality that is Jos. An African woman is walking down a dirt road with pot holes every other foot which are mostly full of water making the dirt road more of a slush road. She is wearing shoes with her heals hanging off the end. Without those shoes, she might get hook worm (I’ll leave out the description). On her head is a plastic bucket full of water or maybe a large tray of peanuts that are for sale.

Other Thoughts:
On the side of the road there is everything for sale, from watches to toilet paper to food to couches. Yes, large sofa chairs sitting on the side on the road in the dirt. I have often wondered that if one were to have the money to buy one, how would they get it home. Granted there are echabas (motor bikes) plenty at every glance for your personal chartering pleasures which have been known to transport any of the following in one trip: 4 people, 2 people and a small fridge, 2 people and a ladder. Now don’t get me wrong, this is a normal size bike. The fridge was carried to the side, and the ladder was placed on top of the riders’ shoulders and around their heads (safe right!). But surely a sofa chair or couch could not fit. Yesterday, my answer came as I saw two men moving a small sofa upside-down with the sofa arms on their head and walking across the street. Hey, if it works!

Things I am Thankful For:
Fluorescent Lights: This subject is tricky for two reasons. First, everyday when I wake up or come home, NEPA is not guaranteed to be on. In other words, there is no guarantee that I will have electricity at all. Secondly, sometimes you have to lure and coax these lights to come on at all even with power. The kitchen light has a mind of it’s own, and my bathroom light gives a nice strobe effect (except less consistent). For those of you who know me well, luckily I enjoy sitting in relative darkness.
Candles: See Fluorescent Lights.
Gas Powered Stove: Without NEPA I cannot use the toaster, but I can make toast on the stove!
Fast-Toilet-Refilling-Tendencies: In the US, the toilet refills real fast, so you can flush it as many times as you want. You know the whole 7 people/1 bathroom picture that we always hear from our grandparents…well the story could be the same here except you would have to add that instead of waiting for them to get out of the bathroom, you would have to wait half an hour before you could flush again. Ahh, simple pleasures that we don’t realize!
Pockets: Yes, my friends, I have upgraded by buying a skirt with pockets. Get excited!

Things I Miss:
Having a fridge that closes
Disposals
Not having to fight the urge to eat things that have dropped to the ground
My roommates!