I have been thinking a lot lately what my family and friends would find odd or even scary in Nigeria. So I decided to create a list. These are all things I have gotten used to over the course of the last few months, so they no longer seem bizarre. But to other people, they just might.
You know you’re in Nigeria when…
A small bus meant to hold 12 people actually holds about 20.
When the electricity turns off randomly, everyone simultaneously shouts ‘NEPA!’ (Usually accompanied by shaking fists, at least with Kerry and I)
The rooster starts crowing by about 3 am. Whoever said they start when the sun comes up was lying.
You respond when people call out ‘Sister’ (As in Reverend Sister…)
You hear about 50 people a day calling Nyacha. When that doesn’t get your attention they shout Oibo. If that also fails, they yell White!
You will get in the car with most strangers, since they already seem to know who you are, your phone number, where you live, where you work and who your ‘sister’ is (And all of her information as well).
You no longer find it strange to find whole animals in food. Usually it is a chicken or fish, but it has been known to be a goat head or something.
The torrential rains can start and stop at any moment. One minute the sun will be shining, the next it will be hurricane season in Nigeria. Soon after that, it will be 90 degrees again.
With in a few minutes of getting asked out, or asked for your number, you are then proposed to. Usually this happens to Kerry. As she is ‘unattached’, she can accept numbers and such. I think I am better at being aloof (or rude, depending on how you look at it). As her mothers asked one day, “Is Malika doing a better job of behaving herself than you?’
You dream about the day you will be able to wear long pants again, or even better, a jacket…
You realize that you don’t remember the last time you showered.
You can walk out the front door and pick oranges, avocados and mangoes right off the tree.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
It´s amazing how many of these things also apply to Peru. The buses for example, though here in the campo, it´s more likely to find a car meant for five that has about 14 people in it (or riding on the roof). Everyone also calls me sister (to the point that even when I explain that I´m not a sister, the next reply is "Oh, si hermana."). And I too can relate to the roosters. The things children learn in elementary school about farm animals are so false. Also love the heads. I was sick and nauseous and walked into the kitchen to find a sheep´s head in a pan...definitely didn´t help the gag reflex. Hope you´re beginning to feel better.
Post a Comment