Getting access to Nigerian food has been a bit of a challenge. The restuarant in the camp only serves Nigerian food (one item) at lunch on weekdays. I have paid my neighbor's wife (a Nigerian) and a couple of the local girls to cook for me. Those results have been a bit hit or miss.
The staple starch, at least in my chunk of Nigeria, is garri. Made from cassava, it really doesn't have much flavor of its own. Garri does pick up flavors well. The most popular technique for eating it is to pinch off a chunk, roll it in you hand, then use the ball of garri to scoop up a bit of food. I have tried this and it must be a more complex maneuver than it looks, I never got the hang of it. I tend to put some garri in the bottom of a bowl and put the soup or stew on top of it. What can you say... Americans.
Soup or stew. To be honest I am not always sure what makes one dish soup and another stew. Both tend to have the consistency I would think of as stew. Though in this they are pretty similar to the "soup" I make.
Nigerian food it very flavorful, but one warning, it is hot. Seriously hot. One of the key ingredients is "pepper." This is where things can get lost in translation. When a Nigerian says "pepper" what they mean is a small roundish chili which has to be a close relative of the habenaro. And they don't skimp on it. A couple of the dishes I have tried rate as some of the hottest food I have ever put in my mouth. Lucky I like hot food.
When I return I am planning on finding ways to do more exploring of the local foods. Even learn how to prepare a few things. The food really is tasty a really enjoyable part of the whole experience.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Names in Nigeria
Since I am home, rather than talk about incidents I think it would be good to cover things I have learned. One of the first things, and to me actually very heart warming, was about people's names.
Nigerians, much like many Asians here in the US, often have two names. Their (as I think of it) true name which comes from their tribe and their European name. Though since the country's independence this seems to be changing.
I was told when I arrived that I would find some Nigerian names unusual. To be honest, I did. Names like "Present", "Handiwork", and "Gift" are unusual here in the US. But then I began learning about Nigerians. First, they are a very devout people. For the Christians I have met, and I am assuming for the Muslims I don't think I have met, God is a major part of their lives. Second is names in Nigeria have meaning. With this in mind you realize that names like "Gift", "Blessing", "Godwin", and "Prince" translate into the way the parents felt about their child when it became time to give it a name. I think that is pretty cool.
Nigerians, much like many Asians here in the US, often have two names. Their (as I think of it) true name which comes from their tribe and their European name. Though since the country's independence this seems to be changing.
I was told when I arrived that I would find some Nigerian names unusual. To be honest, I did. Names like "Present", "Handiwork", and "Gift" are unusual here in the US. But then I began learning about Nigerians. First, they are a very devout people. For the Christians I have met, and I am assuming for the Muslims I don't think I have met, God is a major part of their lives. Second is names in Nigeria have meaning. With this in mind you realize that names like "Gift", "Blessing", "Godwin", and "Prince" translate into the way the parents felt about their child when it became time to give it a name. I think that is pretty cool.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Product Recommendation
I am always willing to give my opinion when someone asks me about this gadget or that one. (okay, or anything else) But I don't often just spout off about something. This case is a bit different.
A while back I bought an Olympus 725SW camera at a pawn shop. Got a great deal. The camera is waterproof, shockproof, and takes great pictures.
Or should I say "was".
I was wearing this camera in a pouch on my belt when the okada incident happened. It got bent. I mean literally BENT. There was like a 4 degree angle in the frame. Thing is, it still worked!! took great pictures, all the functions were there, the view screen had a major crack so was only about 65% visible, but that was it.
Yes, this is where John screws up, I had considered replacing it, but since it was working, I kept using it. It was still functional, but no longer even marginally waterproof. Unthinking, in a light misty rain I pulled it out to take a picture and that was the end.
My point is that it took my generous weight landing on it to bend it, and even after that it was functional. If you need a rugged compact waterproof camera, you should check out Olympus' SW line. That is what I am looking for as a replacement.
A while back I bought an Olympus 725SW camera at a pawn shop. Got a great deal. The camera is waterproof, shockproof, and takes great pictures.
Or should I say "was".
I was wearing this camera in a pouch on my belt when the okada incident happened. It got bent. I mean literally BENT. There was like a 4 degree angle in the frame. Thing is, it still worked!! took great pictures, all the functions were there, the view screen had a major crack so was only about 65% visible, but that was it.
Yes, this is where John screws up, I had considered replacing it, but since it was working, I kept using it. It was still functional, but no longer even marginally waterproof. Unthinking, in a light misty rain I pulled it out to take a picture and that was the end.
My point is that it took my generous weight landing on it to bend it, and even after that it was functional. If you need a rugged compact waterproof camera, you should check out Olympus' SW line. That is what I am looking for as a replacement.
Updates,,. Lots of Updates
Yes, I have been slacking. I haven't updated in almost 3 weeks and I need to catch up. I am home now on leave and will spend sometime getting things posted here.
I do have to say one thing here. I am sitting in my kitchen right now at 3:53 local time (my body still has some idea it is time for lunch) and looking around me. What we are doing right now, spending most of our time with more than a third of the planet separating us, is not easy. Finding out I was hurt, and not being able to be there, to know what was going on, was crushing for Carol. She loves me, I am a very luck man. But sitting here this moment, looking at the home Carol and I have built, having talked to the kids and some of the neighbors, I know it is worth it. It is what needs to be done for now.
I do have to say one thing here. I am sitting in my kitchen right now at 3:53 local time (my body still has some idea it is time for lunch) and looking around me. What we are doing right now, spending most of our time with more than a third of the planet separating us, is not easy. Finding out I was hurt, and not being able to be there, to know what was going on, was crushing for Carol. She loves me, I am a very luck man. But sitting here this moment, looking at the home Carol and I have built, having talked to the kids and some of the neighbors, I know it is worth it. It is what needs to be done for now.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Aftermath
Well it has been a week since the accident and I am healing up. Still a bit sore, but looking forward to going to work. I enjoy my work. And it is also damn boring sitting in the house.
Prodeco is resolving the claims of the Okada owner and his passenger. I am not quite sure how that works, but eventually someone will explain it to me. My injuries really weren't that serious, but the medical team here is very careful, and I appreciate that. My head is still head shaped.
The bit of road rash on my arm is trivial, and in a hard place to get in a picture. The most gruesome looking, is the bruising on my left calf:
But it is just that, a bruise (okay and a tiny cut). It is sore, but I can walk on it, walked to the store yesterday. Going to work tomorrow morning.
One thing I need to say is "Thank You" to all the people, Nigerian and Expat, that have gone out of their way to help me make it thru this fiasco. You are a great group of people and I am lucky to know you.
Prodeco is resolving the claims of the Okada owner and his passenger. I am not quite sure how that works, but eventually someone will explain it to me. My injuries really weren't that serious, but the medical team here is very careful, and I appreciate that. My head is still head shaped.
The bit of road rash on my arm is trivial, and in a hard place to get in a picture. The most gruesome looking, is the bruising on my left calf:
But it is just that, a bruise (okay and a tiny cut). It is sore, but I can walk on it, walked to the store yesterday. Going to work tomorrow morning.
One thing I need to say is "Thank You" to all the people, Nigerian and Expat, that have gone out of their way to help me make it thru this fiasco. You are a great group of people and I am lucky to know you.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
OKADA -1 JOHN - 0
Okay, so I really wasn't trying to invent a new sport, just play a game of life here in Nigeria, crossing the road. Now while I am sure there must be some around, at least in the cities, the last traffic signal pedestrian crossing I saw was in Seattle. (Yes, I know they exist in Paris, but I didn't go to Paris, just the airport) To cross here, you wait for a gap in traffic and bolt across. Damn it quit laughing, I can too "bolt".
So I know there are a lot of questions, I will try to work through them.
Why did John try to cross the road?
Well, I had already been waiting for transport for 30 minutes, and when my driver showed up I was in no mood for him to make the 3KM drive it would have taken to get tot he other side of the road. I do not have pictures yet, but you have to understand that some of the medians here would stop an Abrams tank. So I figured I would bolt across. (you are still laughing aren't you? Damn it)
What is an Okada?
Now to be honest, I am not totally sure of the correct syntax here. Okada are small motorcycles, but it is also a service. It is like ther difference between a car and a taxi. I am thinking that in pure form the okada is a motorcycle taxi, but at least for the expats, it has come to mean a small motorcycle, regardless of whether it is for rent or not. (now there is a question, are any of them not for rent? this is Nigeria) Here are some pictures:
Here is a herd of them parked outside the Gate to my office. I think these are mostly personal. But not all.
This one belongs to my neighbor Evan. I know it is not for rent. We will discuss the girl later. Notice the nice protective frame, most Okada come with these and it will be part of the story later.
What happened?
Well, I was waiting to cross the road. Two Okada were coming about 40 meters apart. Now Okada usually travel about a meter away from the edge of the road, because depending on how wide the road is several vehicles could be making multiple lanes (we will talk about driving in Nigeria later) let's just say it is "flexible". So when the first one went by I BOLTED to the middle of the road. Now here is the part that confuses me, I turned to check on the second Okada and instead of being at the edge of the road he was coming right at me. Now I am dumb sometimes, but not stupid, so I knew that is was time to get the hell out of there, I turned, started to run, and that nice bit of framework I mentioned earlier hit me so hard I flipped in the air, and one of the brackets gave me a nice gash. Once airbourne is was all about physics. Fat man flys up, fat man comes down. My right arm took the brunt of the blow, but fortunately my head was there to absorb some impact. As my friend Frank pointed out "it saved me from damaging something I need". It has been awhile since I have been knocked out, it still isn't fun.
Let me introduce Godwin.
Godwin is my driver. An intelligent passionate man, we communicate on some things and do not understand each other on others. In simple terms he saved my ass. Found a crew, got me loaded up in the truck, and got the always compliant John in the clinic within minutes. He is a good man. Thing is he is not a special example. He is what I am coming to know Nigerians to be. Good people. No one would have done this for me in the US, too worried about being part of the legal hassle. The US has a lot to learn from Nigeria.
So I know there are a lot of questions, I will try to work through them.
Why did John try to cross the road?
Well, I had already been waiting for transport for 30 minutes, and when my driver showed up I was in no mood for him to make the 3KM drive it would have taken to get tot he other side of the road. I do not have pictures yet, but you have to understand that some of the medians here would stop an Abrams tank. So I figured I would bolt across. (you are still laughing aren't you? Damn it)
What is an Okada?
Now to be honest, I am not totally sure of the correct syntax here. Okada are small motorcycles, but it is also a service. It is like ther difference between a car and a taxi. I am thinking that in pure form the okada is a motorcycle taxi, but at least for the expats, it has come to mean a small motorcycle, regardless of whether it is for rent or not. (now there is a question, are any of them not for rent? this is Nigeria) Here are some pictures:
Here is a herd of them parked outside the Gate to my office. I think these are mostly personal. But not all.
This one belongs to my neighbor Evan. I know it is not for rent. We will discuss the girl later. Notice the nice protective frame, most Okada come with these and it will be part of the story later.
What happened?
Well, I was waiting to cross the road. Two Okada were coming about 40 meters apart. Now Okada usually travel about a meter away from the edge of the road, because depending on how wide the road is several vehicles could be making multiple lanes (we will talk about driving in Nigeria later) let's just say it is "flexible". So when the first one went by I BOLTED to the middle of the road. Now here is the part that confuses me, I turned to check on the second Okada and instead of being at the edge of the road he was coming right at me. Now I am dumb sometimes, but not stupid, so I knew that is was time to get the hell out of there, I turned, started to run, and that nice bit of framework I mentioned earlier hit me so hard I flipped in the air, and one of the brackets gave me a nice gash. Once airbourne is was all about physics. Fat man flys up, fat man comes down. My right arm took the brunt of the blow, but fortunately my head was there to absorb some impact. As my friend Frank pointed out "it saved me from damaging something I need". It has been awhile since I have been knocked out, it still isn't fun.
Let me introduce Godwin.
Godwin is my driver. An intelligent passionate man, we communicate on some things and do not understand each other on others. In simple terms he saved my ass. Found a crew, got me loaded up in the truck, and got the always compliant John in the clinic within minutes. He is a good man. Thing is he is not a special example. He is what I am coming to know Nigerians to be. Good people. No one would have done this for me in the US, too worried about being part of the legal hassle. The US has a lot to learn from Nigeria.
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