Only in Nigeria....

As we have been reflecting on the last 3 ½ months we have been in Nigeria we have been thinking about how different our lives have been. Many things were such a gradual change and so constant that we don’t even think they are unusual anymore. There may be more to come, but her e is a list we have come up with

Only in Nigeria…

1. We see people driving down the wrong side of the street almost every time we venture out.

2. It also seems to be alright to drive on the sidewalk…..both directions

3. The public restroom is the middle of the road/highway…yes both number 1 and number 2

4. They made a cinder block square outside of our compound that is about waist high- Apparently it is an outhouse

5. People are EVERYWHERE on the streets/highways…day and night -Instead of deer we must watch for people crossing the road

6. We could go grocery shopping by just driving home…people will try to sell items as we are in traffic…. The items on certain streets are always similar….one day they will be selling vegetable oil, the next day they are selling packs of gum and nuts

7. There is at least one car broken down every 50 yards.

8. There is at least one speed bump every 50 yards.

9. It is common to see 5 or more people on a motorcycle- a 8 person van holds 20+

10. Sunday is known as Happy Sunday and everyone expects a tip…we are asked by many entry guards and police for a Happy Sunday gift- we like to give out peanuts!

11. Young children are sent out by their parents to beg on the streets….we give them peanuts too!

12. Cell phones are all prepaid, many people sell cell phone cards as a living- every time we are out they will follow us to and from our car insisting we need a card- almost everywhere we go!

13. People sell bananas everywhere as well, bananas and phone cards are a hot commodity

14. We are known as Awebos ( Ahhh-we-bows) apparently it means peeled…. To them we have peeled skin….because we are Awebos they use kissing noises to get our attention everywhere we go…. Fruit venders, cell phone sellers, taxi cabs, etc.

15. Because we are Awebos everything is more expensive…. A local would be charged 200N for a bunch of bananas…we are told they cost 700N

16. We need to soak all of our fruits and vegetables in a bleach solution for 15 min before we can eat them

17. Our fruits and vegetables only last about 3 days before rotting….if we are lucky

18. The last Saturday of the month you must stay locked in your house until 10am, and you are expected to be cleaning. If you are caught on the streets you are fined.

19. There are two seasons in Nigeria…the rainy and the dry….also known by Matt as the hot and the hotter

20. A bottle of ketchup costs $10

21. The average church holds 3000 people

22. We attended our very first opera….and probably our last :)

23. We sang karaoke at a Thai New Year Festival!

24. We have learned many new terms….. the word small is used in many instances… if something is a good deal the price is ‘small small’ if something is close by it is ‘small far’….if it far away it is ‘far far’

25. When you turn something on you…..”on it”….if you turn something off…you “off it”

26. Deodorant is a foreign concept….remember that it is hot

27. Seller Tactic – when we are shopping…sellers will often give us an item and call it a gift…. Then they will demand for money for it

28. Seller Tactic- apparently every vender is our best friend and have they have known us for a long time- if we don’t tell anyone they will give us a small small price…in this market we have a lot of close friends!

29. Seller Tactic - When bartering with vendors they will often listen to our offer and say..take it…then demand the full price

30. Seller Tactic- If we ask for a deal to buy two items instead of one, the vendors will often raise the price way more than just doubling it…. I don’t think they know that I teach math

31. Seller Tactic- If we are looking at something…just looking…. It gets but in a bag before we can even ask a price….

32. People will often just put their hand out the window for a blinker…. They believe that this saves gas….. this becomes an issue at night

33. The electricity goes about 5 times a day

34. The national minimum wage is 7,500N a month…. about $50 dollars

35. A shipping container –similar to the back of a semi- is the home to millions of people.

36. The only bowling alley in West Africa is located here in Abuja

37. We see many people with winter hats and jackets on… it is in the upper 90s…..?

38. Many people dress in Nigerian national clothing on Fridays…no casual Fridays here!

39. Our garbage is taken to local villages where they will take it apart and find anything useful- what a recycling system!

40. Cows and chickens feast on the garbage…we are not fans of local meat

41. Cows graze right next to the highway…the shepherds will often stop traffic to have them pass

42. People will walk down the street with astronomical amounts of items on top of their heads….we will need to get some picture to show! .... They will have bags full of who know what that are three times as big as their bodies…we will often see people with generators on top of their heads as well!