Blogs from Abuja, Nigeria, Africa

"Oyibo" is a word that I am starting to get extremely familiar with. It means "white person" or "foreigner" and Katie and I have definitely heard it enough times that we are beginning to respond to it on impulse. We are very aware of just how "oyibo" we happen to be, for everyone is completely shocked to see us here. We've even gotten bursts of laughter, which I also have to join in on. It's gotten to the point where I myself, am shocked to see white people and find myself wondering what reason they have to be here. Hmm, I suppose my mindset is slipping into the culture without me realizing it. I'm going to start where I left off a few days ago, Sunday morning we rose bright and early to accompany Claire, Ngozi, ... read more

Beste familie, vrienden, vriendinnen, collega's en mensen die ik vergeten ben. Mijn eerste twee weken zitten erop en het gaat tot nu toe nog uitstekend. Ik ben gelukkig nog niet ziek geweest, maar dat zal er vast wel een keer van komen, getuige de omstandigheden. Mijn werk is zeer divers en heel interessant. Het kost teveel woorden om te zeggen wat ik exact doe, maar ik ben vooral bezig met mensenhandel en de juridische samenwerking tussen NED, Nig en overige VN lidstaten. Over twee weken komt er een delegatie vanuit Nederland, bestaande uit de hoofd Officier van Justitie en KLPD en enkele topambtenaren van het Ministerie van Justitie. Deze week moet ik voorbereiden en ik mag de hele week meelopen, wat erop neer komt dat ik hele belangrijke mensen ga spreken binnen het OM (wat heel ... read more

How Far Now? (Nigerian Broken English for "How are you doing?") Arrived into Lagos, Nigeria on Monday from Cairo (after going to bed at 1 am to witness the European Soccer Championships and getting up at 2 am to catch a 6 am flight). We took a puddle jumper to Abuja and met up with our man Abbas Abubakar at the airport. That night we ate a traditional Nigerian meal with Abbas' boss at his home. The meal included Mui Mui (pounded yam), Chicken Pepper Soup (didn't affect us then, but our paying the price dearly now), Elephant Fish and potatoes. That night we went to the local nightspot The Clubhouse, smoked a shisha and had a couple Star Lagers (local beer of Nigeria). Tuesday saw us explore the capital of Abuja a little more. We ... read more