To Lagos for Christmas

Tuesday was the day for our Mentor teachers to turn in their reports and materials from the first of four workshops for more than 1,000 primary school teachers in both Bauchi and Sokoto states. This "first of it's kind" process went fairly well in Bauchi. But, in the process of checking rosters, evaluations, payment forms, etc, I was distracted!


Some members of our team and I had plans to visit Lagos for Christmas. Steve was going to Ethiopia to visit friends and consult with his spiritual leader.  Denise had already left for her homes in Ghana and the US (I understand her flight through the UK was delayed because of the weather). Pam, Barbara and I thought that visiting the urban, southern part of the country where there is a larger Christian population would be a good way to spend the holiday.  Personally, I am hoping to ease any homesickness I anticipate feeling during this my  first Christmas away from my family.


I was in the office until after 5 and couldn't help thinking about all I had to do to prepare for an early morning departure from. Bauchi to Kano. I still needed to pack for spending a couple of nights at the house in Kano (on a sofa) and for the flight to Lagos on Thursday. Towels, bedspread, snacks and water for Kano. Light packing with well- coordinated outfits for Lagos since shopping was part of the plan. Wash my hair. Pack up my room. Yes, when I'm away from Bauchi for an extended period of time, I must pack my things and leave them in a secure place until my return. I am not happy about the arrangement and will take it up with the administration when I return.


The driver arrived at the hotel by 6:30 and by 7 we were on the road. I was cool outside but not as dusty as in previous days. Along the road during the up to four hour trip, I was please that I am now more familiar  with the towns, villages and landmarks through which we pass.  Once in Kano I drop my things at the house, go to an appointment that was rescheduled for the next morning (yikes) and take a taxi back to campus.


On Thursday after my appointment we all headed to the airport.  Steve's departure time was changed. Instead of leaving the house at noon, we left 30 minutes later for the one hour trek to the airport. (Traffic in Kano is outrageous!). At the airport in plenty of time for our scheduled  3:50 departure  which left at 5 pm with profuse apologies from the Aero air flight crew. My camera batteries were confiscated by airport security.  Another check as we walked across the tarmac to the plane raised a concern about the insect repellent that I'd forgotten was in the side pocket of my back pack. Weather delayed our landing, but eight we were outside the arrival terminal waiting for our driver to pick us up. We waited


..and waited. More than ten calls passed between Barbara and the Driver. He said "come outside". She said "we are outside the new terminal under the flags". After about 20 minutes an airport policeman grabbed her phone and spoke with the driver.  As it turned out, he was in the car park next to the arrival area. The trip to the Pointers Hotel on Victoria Island took about one hour.  Heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic was everywhere.


We were all happy to arrive at the lovely appointed Pointers. There were some additional negotiations that had to take place, but by midnight we had eaten a nice meal and on our way to settle into what was now two rooms instead of the one we had originally booked.


I know my teammates enjoyed the water jet propelled hot shower even more that I, since the houses in which they live in Kano and Wudil have only cold running water, that is when the water is running.  We all had a good night's sleep and are planning to pack in as many sites as possible during our four day stay. I'll try to get some pictures.