January 13, 2017

First Thoughts of Lagos, Nigeria

I have been living in Nigeria for 6 months now, and I can’t help but reflect on the past couple of months of living in a city of complete chaos.

We just got back from the U.S. and the first question from family and friends was always, “How’s Nigeria?” or “What is it like?” I can never accurately describe my experience in Lagos within a timely manner. There are so many angles I could take in order to answer the simple yet convoluting question.

Therefore, I have decided that the most authentic way to express my thoughts, opinions, and comments of Lagos comes in a list of my personal pros and cons. These are completely subjective, but they are what I personally find enjoyable and challenging about Lagos.

Pros

1. I have learned to appreciate more often. Lagos can be a reminder of where I came from, but not by reminding me of the familiarities I once knew. Living here makes me appreciate where I came from and how I grew up. I can only now truly appreciate simple things like quiet streets, clean air, grocery stores, and the general convenience the U.S provides. Although the U.S. does not have a perfect government in many people’s eyes, especially after the election, I see now what law and order, property rights, infastructure, and checks and balances (to name a few) can do for the nation. The simple “I need to run and grab/do….” has a whole new meaning. It isn’t just the time it takes to complete an errand but more that I had the option to make a purchase quickly, safely, and close to home. Living in Nigeria has changed my outlook on life. I have come to meet some extraordinary Nigerians while here and have seen how they grew up. The Nigerian people are resilient and have suffered a lot, largely due to their fellow patriot’s corruption. This may be a mundane and typical response for someone living abroad, but this experience has opened my eyes to differences all around the world and has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and remain grateful.

2. I have met people from all over the world. Of course living near Washington, D.C. allows you to immerse yourself into a “melting pot”society. However, to give you a perspective, I am a teacher at the American International School of Lagos, and I have 19 students in my class. My 19 students represent 18 different cultures!!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT! Through my students, co-workers, and other people in the community, I have learned more about different cultures, beliefs, celebrations, religions, etc. in a year than I have in my 25 years of living in Northern VA.

3. Nigeria is a central travel hub. Per our other blog posts, Russ and I have been able to travel to other parts of Africa where we have learned to appreciate new cultures and experienced new adventures.

4.We are learning how to live simply. As we travel often in the next few years, we are learning how to be happy and content with what we have as we are surrounded by others who have very little.

5. It’s easy for little things to make my day.. getting an Amazon package, finding an American brand food, finding a steak house (Talindo’s AHH), a beach trip out of the city, finding a delicious gelato spot (bless you Hans & Rene), a clear day where you can see the sky.

6. Warm all year long.. I love warm weather, so I have had no problem getting used to the heat. This time of year has been awesome not having to bundle up in 4 different layers before stepping out into the frigid air.

At our America themed engagement party.. I absolutely love these guys, Tunde & Kojo!

Nigerian Culture Day at the school.. such a fun day!

Cons

1. Pollution in this city is terrible. I have repeatedly watched people finish their drink or food and without even thinking, throw their trash on the ground. Trash ends up in the waterways, so instead of looking at a potentially appealing inner coastal waterway, you look out into a sea of garbage and feces. Often times the boats on the water have to reverse due to trash getting sucked up into the motors. Recycling is rare, and change needs to ensue. These problems could also exist because the government has not enforced policies or provided any solutions (such as dumps) to clear or control the trash. Nigeria loses its natural beauty under all the trash.

2. A broken system: The government in Nigeria is extremely corrupt, so much so that the current President won the election for vowing to end corruption. Due to the unreliable and unstable government, the people have no choice but to do what they need to in order to survive. There is no order in the country because the government is inconsistent with enforcing rules and laws. There are so many people in a small area, and most are only looking out for themselves. That is all they have ever known.

3. Traffic is horrendous. You think driving in D.C. or L.A. is bad? Try navigating the roads with overpopulation and lack of infrastructure. I have never driven in Lagos, nor do I ever plan to. Driving is one of the most dangerous things you will do in Lagos.

4. I cannot walk/run outside whenever I want. I LOVE running, especially outside. Lagos comes with safety precautions. We have run a handful of times, however, we are VERY selective of when and where we run. Between the polluted air, the lack of sidewalks, and the number of people, it is really difficult to run outside.

5. There is no escaping the city. We are pretty much restricted to Ikoyi and Victoria Islands. Mostly due to safety, but partly because there is no where else to drive. I miss taking scenic road trips to… ANYWHERE!

6. Bleaching our vegetables and fruits before consuming them. Another typical third world experience, but something I find challenging since I love fruits and vegetables. We have to fill a sink with filtered water, a cap of bleach, and let them sit for 10 minutes in order to kill off any bacteria. Similarly, I use filtered water to brush my teeth.

Lagos is by far not the worst place in the world. Russ and I are fortunate to live comfortably in a country where many struggle. We do not take that for granted, and we try to help where we can by helping out with medical outreaches and donating food and clothing when applicable.

My Welcome to Lagos present.. a power outage at the airport