Port Harcourt Airport

The first thing that hits you when you land in Port Harcourt is the heat. You step out of a plane at 65 degrees and 60% humidity into 90 degrees and 95% humidity. Damned near knocked me on my ass. Then you go to Immigration. Immigration in Nigeria is not like Immigration in the US. The over riding concern here is that your fees have been paid. The first thing they asked for was a deposit against any "unpaid" fees. Right. I didn't buy that even with 20+ hours without sleep. Then customs. I had "too much" so they wanted to check it all, but then I discovered an interesting fact about dealing with the Nigerian government. The absolute worst thing that can happen is having someone cause a scene. When I started yelling everything changed, though there is a rumor I yell loud. So they zipped the bags up and handed me off, to "narcotics". OMFG He really wanted to be intimidating, but not only did I have nothing to worry about, I have been interrogated in 5 states and Mexico, when I did have something to hide. Made a big show of taking my name. But when he wrote it on the inside cover of a magazine I damn near died keeping from laughing.

Once I had cleared all the BS it was time to find the guy who was supposed to pick me up. That wasn't so hard. He was standing out side the fence with a Prodeco ID and a sign with my name. But the 50 yards between the gate and the bus cost me $50. As I walked out the gate I was swarmed with men helping with my bags, two per bag, helping, carrying, and making it impossible to move forward. I was toast, I gave in. But when I got to the bus I realized all I had in my pockets was the rest of my Euros. I said "to hell with it" and passed them out four %'s and one 10. They scored.

The there was the bus ride to Aba Road, the admin headquarters of Prodeco. Me alone in an armored bus, a truckload of armed police in front, one behind, lights, sirens, the whole deal. I began to think I had made a serious mistake. The truth is it was all for show. Appearance is so damn important here I could be living in Hollywood.

I will post more soon. And some pictures. It took me a couple of days to get to pictures.