Hi to everyone. Your Welcome is what the Nigerians say when they greet you. They are very friendly and grateful for anything. I make sure to tell everyone I pass on the street or at school or in the Shell Club hello, they are so nice. We have settled in really well and just waiting for our house to be finished. We went by the house this morning and the cabinet people were there, they said they will be delivering our kitchen cabinets either today or tomorrow. We're so excited because that means the end is very near they are telling us two weeks which is a joke here cause no matter what you ask them it's always two weeks which ends up being two months. I really think it will be two weeks though, they don't have much left to do. They still need to frame the back porch so we can install glass windows, we're making it an indoor patio and having rattann furniture made. We met a man who will install the windows for us and also make the furniture along with curtains for the house. It will be so nice once our air and sea freight arrives and we have all of our things in the house.
We've had such a great experience here so far, but others that have arrived around the same time as us have had some problems. Although we were told what to expect and our visit in August helped us alot, we didn't expect to be in our house right away. Some of the new arrivals didn't come on a pre-visit and even though the were told how it was here, they are complaining. We were told that it's very laid back here, nothing is done in a rush and you normally have to wait for things to be done. We have had no problems with getting things done in a timely manner though. Some are refusing the houses they are shown, although I don't know what the expected to have here in Nigeria. The houses aren't like back home, they are made differently due to all the humidity here and they are old, probably like 50 years are so. They renovate them when families leave, like we're getting a brandnew kitchen which means new cabinets and new sink, fresh paint inside and out, new electrical outlets. I'm so glad we came on a pre-visit because we new how it was, these other new arrivals didn't and it is a bit of a shock, but just look outside the gate and you see how the Nigerians really live and we are living in palaces. They must think those who complain are crazy, this is heaven to them.
Well, we're getting ready for two more days off of school and Darren is off of work also as it is a holiday here. We still aren't allowed off the camp due to unrest for the upcoming election in February. I think things will get worse than better out there but we are safe here on the camp.
Until next time.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Hello From Nigeria
Hi All,
We are doing fine here, the girls have settled into their new school (much more advanced here than in the States) and Darren is getting lots of administrative things done from work and I'm meeting all the moms and wives here. Jade's been invited to a few playdates after school and Lexi and I tagged along and I had tea while the kids played. Everyone is really nice here and very helpful. Glorie and Alice our cook and Nanny come by often to check on us They are meeting me here tomorrow so we can go over to the house to see the progress being made. They also suggested that we buy some minerals (which is sodas) to bring to the workers, they seem to work faster for you when you bring them little gifts like that.
Darren has been spending Naira like it's going out of style. He's purchasing pictures and having them framed, table cloths with matching napkins. He's also purchased some fabric that Demmy (the guy selling him all this stuff) will frame for him and we'll probably hang it in the girls room. We also bought Jade and Lexi little African dresses and cute little aprons. Jade already used hers at school, they made bread in her class today and she needed to bring an apron. He's also given the gardener some money so he could buy a wheelbarrel and rake so he can keep up the garden until we move in.
We're going to our first Social Gathering this Saturday called Ballywood, it's an Indian party where you can dress up in Indian Garments (I'm not) anyway it's for adults only and should be fun. Jade has also been invited to two birthday parties Saturday (at the same time) so we'll have to see about that.
They have some beautiful plants and flowers here along with some interesting birds and giant lizzard things. I've been trying to take some pictures when it's not raining but haven't taken to many. I can't wait until we can move into our house with our own things so I can download pictures to show all of you what life is like here.
We are doing fine here, the girls have settled into their new school (much more advanced here than in the States) and Darren is getting lots of administrative things done from work and I'm meeting all the moms and wives here. Jade's been invited to a few playdates after school and Lexi and I tagged along and I had tea while the kids played. Everyone is really nice here and very helpful. Glorie and Alice our cook and Nanny come by often to check on us They are meeting me here tomorrow so we can go over to the house to see the progress being made. They also suggested that we buy some minerals (which is sodas) to bring to the workers, they seem to work faster for you when you bring them little gifts like that.
Darren has been spending Naira like it's going out of style. He's purchasing pictures and having them framed, table cloths with matching napkins. He's also purchased some fabric that Demmy (the guy selling him all this stuff) will frame for him and we'll probably hang it in the girls room. We also bought Jade and Lexi little African dresses and cute little aprons. Jade already used hers at school, they made bread in her class today and she needed to bring an apron. He's also given the gardener some money so he could buy a wheelbarrel and rake so he can keep up the garden until we move in.
We're going to our first Social Gathering this Saturday called Ballywood, it's an Indian party where you can dress up in Indian Garments (I'm not) anyway it's for adults only and should be fun. Jade has also been invited to two birthday parties Saturday (at the same time) so we'll have to see about that.
They have some beautiful plants and flowers here along with some interesting birds and giant lizzard things. I've been trying to take some pictures when it's not raining but haven't taken to many. I can't wait until we can move into our house with our own things so I can download pictures to show all of you what life is like here.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Aero Contractors Airport
OK, time for the second installment.
This airport (if you can call it that) is a bit scarey, it's one room full of people waiting to check in, luckily our Shell person did all that for us while we made sure all of our luggage got from the bus to the waiting area with us. After getting our hand written seating for the flight we had to move to the line where they check your carry on bags (they actually had a real scanner) there we were told the cats couldn't ride with us but had to be checked in with our luggage. Thank goodness it was only a 50 minute flight, we were a bid worried but what could be do. We are then moved to the flight waiting area which is starting to get crowded. One plane boards and leaves at a time so it's all the people you will be on the plane with. Once we're told to board you go through the door and out to where all the planes are, and you just follow the people in front of you and walk a good ways to where your plane is parked. There you are scanned front and back with a wand thing then you have to walk over to where all the luggage is being hand pushed on these carriers and you need to make sure all your luggage is there and together before you can get on the plane. It sounds like a bit much but at least you know they are making an effort to make sure all of your luggage is there for you. Since we had 12 pieces of luggage plus 2 cats this took a while for us but it was all there and we boarded the plane. We were in coach, but were in the front so it wasn't to bad. It was a small plane and felt kind of funny since we had been on the huge planes before. Jade and Lexi had only been on the two planes before this and we were in Business Class so they start asking, "when are we getting our drinks" in Business as soon as you sit they are offering you drinks and giving you a hot towel to clean your hands. After explaining this was a small plane and a short flight Jade starts asking where our TV was, another explaination of why we each didn't have a TV. Talk about spoiled after two flights.
The flight was fine, no worries, then the Airport in O'Werri, that was worse than the Aero Airport. You have to wait for your luggage to be brought to this room and pick it out so someone can hand it to you. Of course with 12 needing to be found it took us a while and they wouldn't let the Shell person come in to help so we had to use the airport workers. We finally loaded onto the bus and off we went. 3 hours on this pot holed road, with a stop for 30 minutes waiting for our second armed escort to follow behind us. The girls slept most of the way so they didn't get to see much of the really sad things along the way.
We finally made it, were safe, meeting new people, went to our first party, the girls had their first day of school and we're getting into a routine. Our house is being renovated and we're told it will be ready in two weeks, but that's more like two months. There is lots to do, many activities for the girls after school and many things for the moms/wives during school. It's going to be a wonderful experience and after this, we'll be able to do anything and go anywhere with no worries at all.
This airport (if you can call it that) is a bit scarey, it's one room full of people waiting to check in, luckily our Shell person did all that for us while we made sure all of our luggage got from the bus to the waiting area with us. After getting our hand written seating for the flight we had to move to the line where they check your carry on bags (they actually had a real scanner) there we were told the cats couldn't ride with us but had to be checked in with our luggage. Thank goodness it was only a 50 minute flight, we were a bid worried but what could be do. We are then moved to the flight waiting area which is starting to get crowded. One plane boards and leaves at a time so it's all the people you will be on the plane with. Once we're told to board you go through the door and out to where all the planes are, and you just follow the people in front of you and walk a good ways to where your plane is parked. There you are scanned front and back with a wand thing then you have to walk over to where all the luggage is being hand pushed on these carriers and you need to make sure all your luggage is there and together before you can get on the plane. It sounds like a bit much but at least you know they are making an effort to make sure all of your luggage is there for you. Since we had 12 pieces of luggage plus 2 cats this took a while for us but it was all there and we boarded the plane. We were in coach, but were in the front so it wasn't to bad. It was a small plane and felt kind of funny since we had been on the huge planes before. Jade and Lexi had only been on the two planes before this and we were in Business Class so they start asking, "when are we getting our drinks" in Business as soon as you sit they are offering you drinks and giving you a hot towel to clean your hands. After explaining this was a small plane and a short flight Jade starts asking where our TV was, another explaination of why we each didn't have a TV. Talk about spoiled after two flights.
The flight was fine, no worries, then the Airport in O'Werri, that was worse than the Aero Airport. You have to wait for your luggage to be brought to this room and pick it out so someone can hand it to you. Of course with 12 needing to be found it took us a while and they wouldn't let the Shell person come in to help so we had to use the airport workers. We finally loaded onto the bus and off we went. 3 hours on this pot holed road, with a stop for 30 minutes waiting for our second armed escort to follow behind us. The girls slept most of the way so they didn't get to see much of the really sad things along the way.
We finally made it, were safe, meeting new people, went to our first party, the girls had their first day of school and we're getting into a routine. Our house is being renovated and we're told it will be ready in two weeks, but that's more like two months. There is lots to do, many activities for the girls after school and many things for the moms/wives during school. It's going to be a wonderful experience and after this, we'll be able to do anything and go anywhere with no worries at all.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
We Have ARRIVED!!!!
We are now in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It took 3 planes and 1 three hour bus ride, but we're finally here.
We had a very safe and uneventful travel experience, the girls did wonderful for their first plane trip and the cats did great also. The worse thing that happend was on the car ride to the Houston Airport, Coco our older cat pooped and threw up in her pet taxi and we had to stop at a gas station and clean her up. Once at the Airport checking in luggage then going throught the security was a bit much. I had to take the cats out one at a time and carry them through and have they taxi go through the where they scan your carry on/purse etc. Darren got held up cause he had a carry on that had toiletries that weren't of legal size so he had to go back and check that piece of luggage in (12 pieces of luggage all together were checked) So as far as the travel and Airport experience that was the worse. The airport in Lagos was very nice and very organized and efficient. After going through customs our luggage came really quickly and we had lots of help. Someone was waiting for us with our Name on a card like you see in the movies. She helped us with our luggage along with another lady. The cats were approved, had all the correct paperwork for them and the papers were signed and stamped and we were free to go. We didn't even have to go through to have a baggage searched. No stories about Military with guns, no one asked for money, it was very pleasant. We walked to our bus and waited for a little while for other Shell employees which were only two and we were off to the Sheriton Hotel.
The Sheriton Hotel was beautiful and eveyone was very nice, we were checked in quickly and the room was one of the nicest hotel rooms we ever stayed in. We ordered room service (the girls enjoyed that) took baths and crashed. After sleeping for a while, we were wide awake at 2:00 AM, our body clocks were all off. It was only 8:00PM back home, the kids decided they wanted breakfast, so at 3:00 AM we ordered room service again. Our wake up call was for 4:30 AM so we had time to eat and get ready, packed up for our next flight.
I guess that's it for now, I'll continue with the experience at the Aero Contractors Airport on the next installment. Very small airport in Africa, so you can just imagine how that was like. I'll fill you in soon.
We had a very safe and uneventful travel experience, the girls did wonderful for their first plane trip and the cats did great also. The worse thing that happend was on the car ride to the Houston Airport, Coco our older cat pooped and threw up in her pet taxi and we had to stop at a gas station and clean her up. Once at the Airport checking in luggage then going throught the security was a bit much. I had to take the cats out one at a time and carry them through and have they taxi go through the where they scan your carry on/purse etc. Darren got held up cause he had a carry on that had toiletries that weren't of legal size so he had to go back and check that piece of luggage in (12 pieces of luggage all together were checked) So as far as the travel and Airport experience that was the worse. The airport in Lagos was very nice and very organized and efficient. After going through customs our luggage came really quickly and we had lots of help. Someone was waiting for us with our Name on a card like you see in the movies. She helped us with our luggage along with another lady. The cats were approved, had all the correct paperwork for them and the papers were signed and stamped and we were free to go. We didn't even have to go through to have a baggage searched. No stories about Military with guns, no one asked for money, it was very pleasant. We walked to our bus and waited for a little while for other Shell employees which were only two and we were off to the Sheriton Hotel.
The Sheriton Hotel was beautiful and eveyone was very nice, we were checked in quickly and the room was one of the nicest hotel rooms we ever stayed in. We ordered room service (the girls enjoyed that) took baths and crashed. After sleeping for a while, we were wide awake at 2:00 AM, our body clocks were all off. It was only 8:00PM back home, the kids decided they wanted breakfast, so at 3:00 AM we ordered room service again. Our wake up call was for 4:30 AM so we had time to eat and get ready, packed up for our next flight.
I guess that's it for now, I'll continue with the experience at the Aero Contractors Airport on the next installment. Very small airport in Africa, so you can just imagine how that was like. I'll fill you in soon.
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