For the record, I have just written an entire post and lost it because of the poor internet connection. I'm finding myself miffed and annoyed- plus the waiter keeps on ignoring me (I am at the Sheridan as usual doing my internet.) The tips are so low in this country, the waitstaff has little incentive to suck up to you. I think because I am a woman they tend to think I'm waiting for some man to come and take over- or am planning on finding one to pay at the very least. The concept that I might be fully capable of taking care of myself seems to allude them.
Yes- I know, am overreacting. I really had a nice post all written- and rewriting it isn't the end of the world. However, I am feeling the need to whine and have nobody to whine to- thus you all get to here it.
Life has been scary, frustrating, exhilarating, and dramatic these past few weeks. I have been driving- a dangerous endeavor in this city where drivers ed. is an unheard of concept. My first night I ended up on the wrong side of a freeway- swerving and honking to avoid the cars coming at me. I drove about 1/4 of a mile before I could turn around- and almost went into hysterics in the middle of it. The lane I was on suddenly swerved to the right and when I kept going straight I was in oncoming traffic. The truly scary thing is that it is not uncommon for people to drive the wrong way down a road ON PURPOSE- just because it is a more direct rout to their destination.!
School is wonderful- i adore my students and love the subjects I'm teaching. These kids are even better behaved then my last set of students.
I have hired a housekeeper-and for the first time in my life am totally caught up on laundry. It is awesome coming home to a clean house and having someone to shop for me (especially in the market since I stink at the whole bartering thing).
Life has been lonely, however. I am feeling the isolation alot these last couple of weeks. The women I hung out with the first week have not been available and the friends I have made have their own lives. I did go out on my first "Nigerian date" which was exciting, but found the man to be too similar to those I left behind in Denver- except richer and more African. I'll save that diatribe for another night;-)
I appreciate your emails and comments soo much- I'm already looking forward to my visit back to the states in December. Please keep my in your prayers!
Love,
Martina
Monday, August 28, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Dearest Friends and Family,
I have a few moments of respite, along with wireless internet thanks to the Sheraton hotel, so I thought I would add an insert to my blog.
This last week has been one of wild sensations- Africa has wooed me, coerced me, horrified me and enchanted me in ways I never expected. I am treated like a queen here, but am extorted for as much money as can be got out of me at every possible turn. I’ve figured out how to live as a westerner- at a rather daunting cost. However, I met some native Nigerians this week who took me out for “fish”- what people seem to eat when they go out for dinner. The restaurant was all outside. You sit and drink Nigerian beer and eat fish that has been grilled and covered in this fiery pepper sauce. According to Nigerian custom, if you invite people to dinner you are expected to pay. If you are invited then you are not allowed to pay anything.
The market (local non-western) is wild. You have to barter for everything, and just about everything can be found there. You hire a “barrel boy” who pushes a wheel barrow around behind you. Yesterday when I went with two other teachers from the school, we had three other me, besides the barrel boy following us around. They took us anywhere that we wanted to go- and divided our tip at the end of the shopping time. It was crazy. I’m starting to get good at bartering- I think I just need to pretend I’m middle eastern and I will be able to get away with lower prices. With the help of our escorts, I was able to find fresh mint, lime, and Bacardi rum- watch out mojitoes here I come. When I asked for mint, they brought me to the meat section- I almost threw up as I was pushing through crowded aisles of fish and goat and steak- it smelled pretty bad. Anyway, I eventually got back to the vegetable stands and was able to smell my way to various fresh herbs.
Right now I am at the pool at the Sheridan- thanks to some kind business me whom we met the other night (ironically, two of whom are from Mexico city). There is a live band playing “Girl from Ipanena” and these wild blue and orange lizards wandering around. I can’t believe I’m here.
My classroom is really nice- It is big and any extra furniture I want I simply ask one of the school carpenters to build. The only problem is the school is not fully finished yet- we will know tomorrow if we are going to have a delayed start. If that is the case, I think my new friends and I are going to take a short trip to Ghana or possible Cairo- an Egyptian dignitary lives in my compound and his wife told me that we just need to hand him our passports and he will get us visas.
Apparently, if you have internet access and a headset, you can use a website called Skyte.com to call landlines. It is free up until December and after that it is only 2 Euro-cents a minute. Expect some calls as soon as I figure out how to use it.
Take care and feel free to write. It is so encouraging to hear from home. I love you all.
Martina
I have a few moments of respite, along with wireless internet thanks to the Sheraton hotel, so I thought I would add an insert to my blog.
This last week has been one of wild sensations- Africa has wooed me, coerced me, horrified me and enchanted me in ways I never expected. I am treated like a queen here, but am extorted for as much money as can be got out of me at every possible turn. I’ve figured out how to live as a westerner- at a rather daunting cost. However, I met some native Nigerians this week who took me out for “fish”- what people seem to eat when they go out for dinner. The restaurant was all outside. You sit and drink Nigerian beer and eat fish that has been grilled and covered in this fiery pepper sauce. According to Nigerian custom, if you invite people to dinner you are expected to pay. If you are invited then you are not allowed to pay anything.
The market (local non-western) is wild. You have to barter for everything, and just about everything can be found there. You hire a “barrel boy” who pushes a wheel barrow around behind you. Yesterday when I went with two other teachers from the school, we had three other me, besides the barrel boy following us around. They took us anywhere that we wanted to go- and divided our tip at the end of the shopping time. It was crazy. I’m starting to get good at bartering- I think I just need to pretend I’m middle eastern and I will be able to get away with lower prices. With the help of our escorts, I was able to find fresh mint, lime, and Bacardi rum- watch out mojitoes here I come. When I asked for mint, they brought me to the meat section- I almost threw up as I was pushing through crowded aisles of fish and goat and steak- it smelled pretty bad. Anyway, I eventually got back to the vegetable stands and was able to smell my way to various fresh herbs.
Right now I am at the pool at the Sheridan- thanks to some kind business me whom we met the other night (ironically, two of whom are from Mexico city). There is a live band playing “Girl from Ipanena” and these wild blue and orange lizards wandering around. I can’t believe I’m here.
My classroom is really nice- It is big and any extra furniture I want I simply ask one of the school carpenters to build. The only problem is the school is not fully finished yet- we will know tomorrow if we are going to have a delayed start. If that is the case, I think my new friends and I are going to take a short trip to Ghana or possible Cairo- an Egyptian dignitary lives in my compound and his wife told me that we just need to hand him our passports and he will get us visas.
Apparently, if you have internet access and a headset, you can use a website called Skyte.com to call landlines. It is free up until December and after that it is only 2 Euro-cents a minute. Expect some calls as soon as I figure out how to use it.
Take care and feel free to write. It is so encouraging to hear from home. I love you all.
Martina
Friday, August 11, 2006
Greetings from Nigeria!
Yes folks, I have made it here! After a rather grueling trip I arrived at the airport. I was greeted at the immigration desk by a representative from the United States Embassy. He moved me past the guard who was ogling me and into the arms of the principal who hired me. Very exciting.
The Gates of nigeria say "You are Welcome". this is a standard greeting here. My first impression of the city was of the surprisingly well-manicured road system. It was at night, so I didn't see much else. I was dropped off at my apartment, which was furnished and set up with some basic necessities. I unpacked one suitcase, cried a little bit, and eventually fell asleep.
My apartment is really nice- clean, tile floors, nice furniture (Although extremely hard sofas and mattress) and most importantly, air conditioned! It is not on the school grounds, but is in a compound that has a barbed wire fence, gate, and a armed policeman guarding it. The grounds are gorgeously landscaped and there are these wild lizards with orange heads running around. I am incredibly blessed! The power does have a tendancy to go on and off, but there is a generator that sometimes works.
Yesterday I went car shopping- hung over from jet lag. It was quite an experience. One dealer whose lot we went to decided that I needed to take him back to America when I was done in Abuja. He wanted to pick out my car, and kept on trying to do things like hold my hand. It was very unpleasant, especially since he did not seem to understand the concept of deoderant. Luckily, Eckon, a driver from the school, was with us. He made sure we were safe and not swindled. Through his help, I have bought a very sweet red Rover- four door sedan from a car dealer whose wife works at the school (and who also has better boundary issues:-))
Today we are going off to the market, hopefully, to start the fun process of finishing the furnishing of my house. I am almost caught up on sleep and am excited to explore this city. The people seem fantastic and I think that I am going to be ok!
Those of you who I was not able to contace before I left, thank you for the gifts, encouragements, and prayers! I do not have internet at my apartment yet (it is actually quite a challenge to figure out how to get it) so my contact time on the internet is limited. You are all in my heart and I miss you. Take Care- I will write again soon!
Martina
p.s. I did not have a complete list of people to write put together, so feel free to send this on to anyone!
Yes folks, I have made it here! After a rather grueling trip I arrived at the airport. I was greeted at the immigration desk by a representative from the United States Embassy. He moved me past the guard who was ogling me and into the arms of the principal who hired me. Very exciting.
The Gates of nigeria say "You are Welcome". this is a standard greeting here. My first impression of the city was of the surprisingly well-manicured road system. It was at night, so I didn't see much else. I was dropped off at my apartment, which was furnished and set up with some basic necessities. I unpacked one suitcase, cried a little bit, and eventually fell asleep.
My apartment is really nice- clean, tile floors, nice furniture (Although extremely hard sofas and mattress) and most importantly, air conditioned! It is not on the school grounds, but is in a compound that has a barbed wire fence, gate, and a armed policeman guarding it. The grounds are gorgeously landscaped and there are these wild lizards with orange heads running around. I am incredibly blessed! The power does have a tendancy to go on and off, but there is a generator that sometimes works.
Yesterday I went car shopping- hung over from jet lag. It was quite an experience. One dealer whose lot we went to decided that I needed to take him back to America when I was done in Abuja. He wanted to pick out my car, and kept on trying to do things like hold my hand. It was very unpleasant, especially since he did not seem to understand the concept of deoderant. Luckily, Eckon, a driver from the school, was with us. He made sure we were safe and not swindled. Through his help, I have bought a very sweet red Rover- four door sedan from a car dealer whose wife works at the school (and who also has better boundary issues:-))
Today we are going off to the market, hopefully, to start the fun process of finishing the furnishing of my house. I am almost caught up on sleep and am excited to explore this city. The people seem fantastic and I think that I am going to be ok!
Those of you who I was not able to contace before I left, thank you for the gifts, encouragements, and prayers! I do not have internet at my apartment yet (it is actually quite a challenge to figure out how to get it) so my contact time on the internet is limited. You are all in my heart and I miss you. Take Care- I will write again soon!
Martina
p.s. I did not have a complete list of people to write put together, so feel free to send this on to anyone!
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