I am blogging from the beautiful capital of Nigeria, Abuja, which shall be my home for the next 12 months.
My internet access at the moment, while being 100% free and 100% unlimited is also 100% unreliable. Hopefully that will change very soon as there is so much I want to blog about.
So far everyone I have met has been incredibly friendly and hospitable. Nigeria is the only country I have been to where an Immigration officer has said to me, ‘I hope you extend your stay to three years’. Not sure I will take him up on his offer but so far all is going well.
The only downside being that I, along with about fifty other passengers had some or all of our luggage left behind. Thankfully for me two of my three suitcases that made it across were the ones that had my important stuff – my underwear, eight boxes of Jaffa Cakes and my flashlights (thanks Remi I have experienced 4 power outages in 24 hours and I have had to rely on my torch for the two minutes of darkness before the generator kicks in!). The one suitcase that has all my shoes, Ketepa tea, Royco and java coffee shall apparently be with me tomorrow!
Last night while driving around Abuja I noticed a few street names that reminded me of Kenya such as Eldoret Close and Embu Close (or Road…can’t remember) which are both towns in Kenya. Eldoret for many years was home to most of my family including Mshairi, Uaridi and Nyakehu.
I know this blog post is rather disjointed but it is my attempt to cram everything in before my internet connection dies again.
‘Wetin dey happen’ is Nigerian Pidgin English for ‘What is going on’ and is used as a greeting in the same way as one would say ‘What’s up?’.
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egm says
While in Jamaica, I learnt the what’s up equivalent phrase, “Wah goa man?”.
Enjoy your Naija stay.
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Mich says
Good to hear that you got there safely babes, hope the luggage turns up soon. Being all too familiar with that kind of thing I’m know just how frustrating it is.
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mshairi says
Na wa oh!
Missing ya already but thank God for Skype. I love the those street names especially Eldoret Close.
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Remi says
Ko easy o, omo you don land Naija.
I was just going to email you to ask about how the visa stuff in London went. I guess very well.
lol @ Immigration officer. 3years is probably enough time for him to gather some kind of bride pride.
Looking forward to all your naija posts.
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sokari says
well we r all naijas now – didnt expect to hear from you for at least a week. what I want to know is weytin u dey chop?
yes like Remi looking forward to the posts – enjoy!
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uaridi says
Hey, that was a quick post. Glad one of the first naija was friendly – sort ot sets the tone ama? I personally do not care about weytin u dey chop (some people are waiting for receipes for fish pepper soup and pounded yam) I am waiting for you to buy fabrics make at least an outfit a month for ME, ME, ME.
waiting for another post!!!!
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kabinti says
Enjoy! I love hearing
pidgin English, find it very amusing :o)
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uaridi says
I should have gone to Mshairi’s blog before I came here first. That will teach me!!!
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The Tato says
hey glad u arrived ok…pole bout the unreliable link welcome to my world
i wonder if u’ll make good use of the kanga’s(wink)
remember within 12 months am expectin u to be larger than life
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Remi says
lol @ Immigration officer. 3years is probably enough time for him to gather some kind of bride pride.
That should be bride price.
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Jerry says
Interesting that in Belize Creole we say, “Weh di happen?” or “Weh di go an?”. These are interesting similarities.
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birth of a notion says
Great to read from you. I’m on limited time to, I’ve installed a screenreader on 40 minute mode, which means it times out soon. I’ll let you know how the journey went. Just keep telling me about Abuja.
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birth of a notion says
Good to read from you. I’ve installed a screenreader on 40 minute mode here, which means I haven’t got much time either. I know you won’t be eating peppersoup, whatever the kind, but there’s lots more for you to try. More news of Abuja please!
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Mayowa says
I hope you have a wonderful time in Nigeria. I learned about your blog from reading Ababoy’s and have been catching up. FABULOUS. I’ll be interested to learn about how many more similarities/differences there are between Nigeria and Kenya. Stay Safe.
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Ostalgia says
have fun, i hope the weather is agreeable
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ababoy says
Hope you enjoy your stay in Abuja…
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Gish says
Enjoy niaja and some of us do want that fufu and plantains recipe. Enjoy your stay in the land of Chinua Achebe only hoping that things dont fall apart. Enjoy and will be back for more.
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Wambui says
OH my GOD! I have been away for too long. Woman – I need to hear from you. Mail ME!!!!!!! Also very excited for you and your new adventures and I LOVE the new look.
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obifromsouthlondon says
hahahahhahaha wikid post title. wetin dey happen. for naija to much o!! enjoy the delights of the capital
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JKE says
Hola, enjoy your stay in Abuja, please tell us more about your new language skills and what made you fall for Sokari’s nyumbani
Wishing you all the best and a 100% reliabool internet connection!
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Pambi Kihoro says
My sister I am thinking of you it is just that I have no internet at the moment in my room so can’t call and also I have been mad busy with enrolment of students over the last couple of days. I hope your new place is treating you okay.
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M says
O my sista-o! How are-a you doin-o?
He he! Anyway, sounds like it ought to be an interesting experience. All the best and G’ bless!
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Babs says
I’m impressed with this blog. I’m so Blogrolling you tommorrow
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Odegle says
I find the nigerian culture very peculiar. i have always wanted to visit the country but then the fear due to pubilicity has kept me away. i look forward to your bloging on the real experience you have as a foreigner a well as their real life style and truth not sensational reporting
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odegle says
I look forward to some truth coming from a 60% kenyan as opposed to sensational reporting. since nigeria has always been potrayed badly i have always feared to visit it. so with your blogs am sure i will get the true picture
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John Silva says
Greetings All,
Can anyone recommend an average but clean hotel in Abuja.
Should not exceed $50 a night.
Thanks
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Digz Guy says
Went thru Abuja couple months back en-route to Jos to negotiate for my then fiancee now wife!
Loved Abuja – that masive church they’ve got there is amazing!
As for the power cuts – you know that’s how they do in Naija!
You’ll either get used to it or get yourself one of those cheap generators – after all fuel only costs like 5 bob
Enjoy
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jade says
i cant find a pidgin translator can u send me a link lease