“Ar muin na muice” an Irish expression, which literally translates as being “on the pigs back” – and means that you are doing great, seemed appropriate as the countdown to my return to colder climes with better electricity, plumbing, internet and driving comes to a conclusion. I was reminded of the expression by the pigs … Continue reading
A seasonal touch to start this week. Posing with Suhim by the Christmas tree at Palms shopping centre in Lagos. It is hard to believe it is December. The leaves are beginning to fall off some trees and it is relatively chilly in the early hours of the morning. On December 1st I awoke to … Continue reading
Nothing as dramatic as the Irish government talks with the IMF or the coalition party discussion in Ireland this week, but with less than 3 weeks left I needed to bring matters to a head with the micro finance team on Monday. The previous week I had discovered 3 group loans about to be disbursed … Continue reading
The photo Kim took of Nicholas, Patience and I with the 3 sacks of blue, green and maroon sweaters reminded me of the nursery rhyme, which is now considered not politically correct and I am “localising” it for Nigeria with the sah and mah which they often use to address us. Evelyn delivered the last … Continue reading
It is interesting how certain words and phrases are used in different countries. I always associate “auspicious” with my time in Nepal as it was used a lot in official press releases, for example: “On the auspicious occasion of Independence Day, the King sends felicitations to the President of the United States.” One of the … Continue reading
I wonder if I moved to a parallel universe this weekend.. The rain appears to have stopped, so Richard who was visiting with Heather from Kaduna got sun burnt, my own nose got a little pink also! Secondly I found a box of Snickers in the local “up-market” store in Kagoro where we buy our … Continue reading
Chocolate, cooking and cribbage. Last Wednesday (Oct 20th) I travelled to Abuja on my way to collect 2 of the most recent VSO arrivals in Nigeria who were to come to Kagoro as part of their in country training. I made time to call into the large supermarket to stock up on chocolate – a … Continue reading
On Friday I took an okado from work into the market where I bought an english text book for my lessons with Blessing and some veg for the weekend. I was delighted to get a pineapple also. I was expecting Jenny, Frank and Miriam for the weekend. They had hoped to travel on Friday but … Continue reading
I was in the local shop last Thursday when okado Thomas (to differentiate him from “my” other Thomas) came up behind me. When he called me Madame Bature I knew who he was! I wanted to go to the orphanage but the sky looked like more rain was on the way so I told him … Continue reading
I will be on a plane to London with an onward connection to Dublin. I will be looking forward to seeing my family at the airport, getting my hair cut properly, eating some home cooked food that does not come with pepe and hoping I still have a rugby match to look forward to on … Continue reading
Hattisar - Gayl's Travel Blog 