Back in Bauchi

So yes, it was a long ride, but it feels good to be back with my Bauchi ‘family’. The two offices have very different ‘personalities’, both have dedicated hard working staff, however the dynamics of each place is unique. Though one is supervised by a woman and the other a man, I don’t know that gender defines the soul of each. The character of each office I suppose is as complex as the society in which they operate—cultural, religious, gender and yes, even racial matters seem just under the surface-guiding, moving, sometimes limiting outcomes.

My homes:Sokoto State in upper left, Bauchi State at right

Yes, back in Bauchi, back at the Zaranda on the 9^th floor with nightly visit from my lizard friends who scamper through an opening next to the air conditioner.  Who knows what they do while I’m asleep! The Zaranda—no National Geographic channels, one movie channel, no music channels and almost nothing within walking distance to explore.  I guess I became a little spoiled in Sokoto.

Zaranda is under new management.  The lobby has been spruced up and the hallways are well-lit. The ‘new’ folk say the rate negotiated by the project I am working with does not entitle me (actually the type of room assigned) to tea service—no daily sachets of Nescafe,  no teabags, sugar cubes, cream and no hot pot!! They had been removed from the room! It’s a matter for the two contractors, but the difference in   published rates for the two rooms is 2,000 naira (about $13/night)—for ‘tea service’. Help me out here, other than maybe a hostel, I don’t know of a hotel or motel where coffee is not complimentary.  When I ask about something like this, of the response often is --’that’s Nigeria for you! Hmmm