December already

Hard to believe it's December, weather has become less humid, but hotter, generally a welcome change. Laying in the pool, it could be an August day in Walnut Creek. Once again as time to leave gets closer (flying out on Dec 20th) things that were cute, or quaint tend to become just another pain in the ass. The company is in the throes of yet another strike, including the drivers so I haven't been out of our neighborhood for a couple weeks.

Q. What's your favorite thing about Nigeria?
A. Hearing "Cabin crew, doors to automatic and crosscheck".

Kind of a cheap shot, but that's where I'm at. We had two official turkey dinners, one at the company compound and another with our neighbors. The residence committee organized the first one, complete with 10 roasted turkeys. I was told on good authority that each turkey cost $300 flown in fresh from France courtesy of La Pointe supermarket. Perhaps the world's most expensive food store, I was only there once and probably won't be back. Although the array of currency counting machines certainly was impressive. Real afficionados keep track of when the weekly air shipment comes in and make sure to be there when it's unloaded.

Our neighborhood put on a great meal as usual. Two turkeys were cooked, one fried in oil and another roasted over charcoal in an aluminum foil contraption. We provided a whole sirloin that was roasted to perfection by one of the good cooks. Add to those an array of holiday dishes and a fine afternoon/evening was had by all. Maybe the (mostly South African) wine had something to do with it.

Now it's monday, power just went out, so we're on generator. Country supposedly lost 800 mw capacity last week due to destruction of a key natural gas pipeline. Not militants, just thieves that had apparently put in one too many taps on the pipe and it ruptured. We'll be off to Kano (kahn-oh) on friday to attend a big festival up there. Supposed to be a real spectacle, more on that later. Unless we cancel because of rioting in Jos (joss), another northern city. These things have spread before, even as far as Lagos. Fasten your seat belts.