Things in Lagos took a turn for the worse last week, a national strike was called last Tuesday night. After the newly elected civilian government was elelected a few weeks ago they tried to sell of Nigeria's oil refining capacity, double VAT and increase fuel by around 15%. The unions, or what passes for unions here, decided to add to this a demand for a 15% pay rise. After 5 days the government backed down so everybody is back to work today. Although the bipedal mosquitoes did not strike, they were as much in evidence in the bars over the weekend.
And what a weekend it was. Without the worry of having to get up for work most of the ex-pats here were in party mode. The weather and the fact that most places were closed did not dampen anybodies spirit. I had a few busy nights in Pat's bar until the wee hours and then working from the hotel during the day. Problem with that is the only place to get internet access in the hotel is in the courtyard next to the pool, very distracting. After a couple of early finishes at Pat's just in case the strike was cancelled, Friday ended up a long one, not getting back to the hotel until around 3:30.
Saturday was going to be a couple of beers while watching the rugby SA vs NZ. But as those of you that know me may already have guessed this did not happen. Watched the rugby, which was a good game, A couple of mates and I went on to what we thought was a cuban bar but as with lots of things here it had been changes. Now a regular bar called Michaels. One of the guy's girlfriend felt sorry for us two without female company so called a couple of her friends. This led to a slightly embarassing time initially as bor both the girls and us as we did not feel comfortable having two girls dumped on us. After a while while the beers flowed things relaxed and we had a good time laughing, joking and generally being a little bit silly.
Met a fellow Millwall supporter there and after a few reminisces we treated the bar to a loud rendition of 'No-one like us' to a round of applause from the staff. If we had done that at home we would have probably been asked to leave. You gotta love this country....maybe. After leaving there and returning to Pat's we packed the two girls off home in taxis and I got left with my mates girlfriend as he had to be at work for early shift Sunday. Why me? was the feeling as she nearly started a ruccus in the bar by telling a white girl that she liked her outfit - her story, or by chatting up a white girl - white girl's story. Truth as usual somewhere in between. After assuring Pat I would keep her out of mischief I managed to get her off home shortly after.
Babysitting duties over and enough ju-ju juice under my belt I hit the dance floor. After a while a few of us decided to hit another club to play pool. We ended up at YNOT a well known local haunt. I had heard of this bar and looked it over on the first night in town. It did not look up to much then but I was assured that there was another part to the club. They were right as upstairs there was a large dancefloor which had working A/C. Plus a clapped out pool table in the corner. Spent the next few hours drinking and dancing. Home around 4am. Great weekend.
Sunday, a few beers at Pat's in the afternoon for a de-briefing session and an early night as the strike was over and back to work early this morning.
Still no news of when I will get my passport back from immigration, but at least they will be working on extending my visa again. I am expecting to leave this Thursday if possible.
Monday 25 June 2007
Friday 8 June 2007
Still on Victoria Island.
Have ventured out and about somewhat in the last 10 days. Have found a couple of pubs worth visiting which have satelite tv so managed to see the England vs Brazil match, but unfortunatly the Estonia game was blocked from being shown in Nigeria for some strange reason. Had a night in Pat's bar and met some ex-pats who had also gathered for the game. Ended up in an impromptu quiz session, not the greatest entertainment but passed an evening.
Last weekend we went to find a bar that had the football. I had found a few places via the internet and we set off to find them. One of the problems here is the lack of street signs, most of the streets do not have name plates so it is a lot of guess work. This is made worse by there being no light as the streetlights are out more often than not due to power cuts. Anyway we eventually found the location only to discover that the whole complex or bars and restaurants had been demolished.
On to plan B, forget the football and get a pint! Another hour later we found the Thistle bar down an overcrowded back road which our local driver had never heard of. Arrived just in time to see Terry score the goal from Beckhams free kick. Thought I was back in south London, lots of black guys in a pub watching England and cheering on 'Becks' with cries of 'Yeah, Becks is back', 'Come on England'. Surreal.... Mind you they cheered just a loudly when Brazil equalised.
That night we also discovered the indoor mosquitos, the local girls flock round the westerners like a swarm and all take a crack at you, you have to almost swat them away to get a peaceful pint. They are regular girls trying to make a little on the side by getting taken home for the night for a fee, amateur whores I suppose.
Weather has turned bad as it has rained for most of the week, but still it is not cold so I can live with a bit of water.
One of the guys I am working with has come down with malaria despite taking his anti-malaria tablets bought in Kuwait. Glad I bought mine back in Blighty.
Had the bosses in from Kuwait last week and they are already cutting deadlines. Monday they arrived and told us they wanted an interim report by the end of the month. By the time they left on Thursday this had come in to 20th. Only problem is that the do not know what they want in an interim report, good I suppose as they should be happy with anything.
One of the drawbacks with working with muslims came to light Tuesday morning. We had had a meal together on Monday night in the hotel, lots of Lebanese food and everyone but me rabbiting on in scribble, oops sorry Arabic, felt a bit like a mosquito in a nunnery. I of course ordered a glass of wine with my meal whils everybody else was on the soft drinks. Tuesday it was pointed out to me that in future it would be advisable that when the customer is dining with us maybe I should refrain from taking alcohol. Told them not to bother inviting me in future as a) i am not a muslim and therefore do not see why I should not have a drink with a meal, and b) I was bored rigid as no-one saw it necessary to speak English at any point.
Last weekend we went to find a bar that had the football. I had found a few places via the internet and we set off to find them. One of the problems here is the lack of street signs, most of the streets do not have name plates so it is a lot of guess work. This is made worse by there being no light as the streetlights are out more often than not due to power cuts. Anyway we eventually found the location only to discover that the whole complex or bars and restaurants had been demolished.
On to plan B, forget the football and get a pint! Another hour later we found the Thistle bar down an overcrowded back road which our local driver had never heard of. Arrived just in time to see Terry score the goal from Beckhams free kick. Thought I was back in south London, lots of black guys in a pub watching England and cheering on 'Becks' with cries of 'Yeah, Becks is back', 'Come on England'. Surreal.... Mind you they cheered just a loudly when Brazil equalised.
That night we also discovered the indoor mosquitos, the local girls flock round the westerners like a swarm and all take a crack at you, you have to almost swat them away to get a peaceful pint. They are regular girls trying to make a little on the side by getting taken home for the night for a fee, amateur whores I suppose.
Weather has turned bad as it has rained for most of the week, but still it is not cold so I can live with a bit of water.
One of the guys I am working with has come down with malaria despite taking his anti-malaria tablets bought in Kuwait. Glad I bought mine back in Blighty.
Had the bosses in from Kuwait last week and they are already cutting deadlines. Monday they arrived and told us they wanted an interim report by the end of the month. By the time they left on Thursday this had come in to 20th. Only problem is that the do not know what they want in an interim report, good I suppose as they should be happy with anything.
One of the drawbacks with working with muslims came to light Tuesday morning. We had had a meal together on Monday night in the hotel, lots of Lebanese food and everyone but me rabbiting on in scribble, oops sorry Arabic, felt a bit like a mosquito in a nunnery. I of course ordered a glass of wine with my meal whils everybody else was on the soft drinks. Tuesday it was pointed out to me that in future it would be advisable that when the customer is dining with us maybe I should refrain from taking alcohol. Told them not to bother inviting me in future as a) i am not a muslim and therefore do not see why I should not have a drink with a meal, and b) I was bored rigid as no-one saw it necessary to speak English at any point.
Friday 1 June 2007
Nigeria.........
...NOT a place to come on holiday. Been here 10 days now and am realising that the scams that flood the interweb that originate from this country are just the tip of the iceberg. The whole economy seems to be based on graft and scams. Everywhere you go people want handouts and backhanders. Every building is set behind high walls and razor wire, the guards on the gates want money when you either enter or leave, went to a bar last weekend and a gorilla of a bouncer pointed out our vehicle to us and wanted payment. I have been to places where there are many beggars that are a pain but here everyone is after your cash.
On the security front Victoria Island seems to be pretty safe but we have been advised not to travel into Lagos without a police escort. Won't bother doing that until I go to the airport, hopefully end of next week. Have found some bars and restaurants although not really good they offer basic meals and local beer. This is on the nights when the driver decides to come and get us, a few nights now have been spent in the hotel due to lack of transport and the fact that white guys walking the streets in the dadk is a big no no here.
Had a 4 day weekend last week which was excruciatingly boring. Monday and Tuesday were public holidays declared last Friday. This was because the newly elected government was being sworn in and there were fears of trouble. In the end it all passed of rather calmly, only everywhere was shut so had to spend 4 days lying by the pool behing the walls and razor wire of the hotel/guest house.
On the security front Victoria Island seems to be pretty safe but we have been advised not to travel into Lagos without a police escort. Won't bother doing that until I go to the airport, hopefully end of next week. Have found some bars and restaurants although not really good they offer basic meals and local beer. This is on the nights when the driver decides to come and get us, a few nights now have been spent in the hotel due to lack of transport and the fact that white guys walking the streets in the dadk is a big no no here.
Had a 4 day weekend last week which was excruciatingly boring. Monday and Tuesday were public holidays declared last Friday. This was because the newly elected government was being sworn in and there were fears of trouble. In the end it all passed of rather calmly, only everywhere was shut so had to spend 4 days lying by the pool behing the walls and razor wire of the hotel/guest house.
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