Sail Around the World Event

Last night I went to an event at the Lagos Yacht Club that hosted food and drink from 15 countries.

All you can eat for about $50 with live music and dancing! It was a tasty evening with good friends and fun times!

We left from one of the many jetties on a little transport boat. We got to the dock late in the afternoon and relaxed a bit with a view of some luxurious apartments, the Oriental Hotel, the beautiful sunset, made it safe on the tiny transport boat without getting drenched in the waves, past the Civic Center, under the Falomo bridge filled with traffic and what looks like a small floating blimp at the base, and then had Oscar Meyer hot dogs and Jell-O shots at the tent representing the US then danced the night away!

I also enjoyed Mexican food, South American cuisine, French cheese and meats, a taste of Lebanese food, South African beer called Castle, and South African Amarula liqueur. Met some super nice people including a guy celebrating his 22nd anniversary and some young newlyweds! The band played everything from the 50's to the 80's, a bit of rock and roll, and topped it off with some African songs!

Another night to remember, and a bit of a hangover to go with it!

Appreciation

I went to get water for the school and run some errands the other day. It is in this location where we buy the 5 gallon jugs, turning in our empties. Just down the road I bought some tomatoes, and out on the main road I got some other veggies and fruit.
There are real markets, but the prices are high for produce and some how I feel better when I buy from someone who probably grows the food themselves, or is at least reselling at a lower margin just to feed their families.
What is amazing is that with all this poverty, you don't see people sitting by the side of the road with a sign begging for money. Everyone is doing something or selling something to get what they can get. Ironically, there are a lot of satellite dishes, but compared to the US, basic cable is only N3000 or $18 a month. I think if you live here, you really don't want your kids playing outside.
And we think we have it tough!!

Bananas

Bananas are popular here!!

I like my Naola Chips and even tried my hand at frying some plantains on my little hot plate!!

Yummy!

Dinner at the Waterside

My dinner at the Waterside where I was overcharged by almost double on the basis of being white, forgetting to ask about menus, and talking about price in general in advance. Aside from that, the food was good and the 'chips' were very crispy! It was my first authentic African meal at a restaurant. Spicy!!

Lesson learned!!

Sunday Storm

Being in a country with tropical weather, these storms come and go often.

Sometimes after only a few minutes of down pour, the sun will shine and it will be a warm beautiful day again!

African Classical Concert

I had the privilege to attend a concert of fusion African, Jazz, and Classical music at the Muson Centre in Victoria Island.

It was so awesome with solos on the this unusual harp instrument, African drums, a sax, and of course all the lovely strings!

I was lucky enough to be sitting close enough to watch the cellos play, my favorite of all instruments!

Banana Island Mansion

One of the many mansions that Are here on Banana Island! I walk by this one one the way to the market, it's quiet beautiful.

The other photo is the incredible view from the apartment balcony of a friend.

If you look to the right of the view picture you'll see there there is yet another mansion or luxury apartments going up. There is a lot of building going on here in Lagos!!

The two lots are across from each other. Very exclusive!!

Pulling in the Rig

This was the view from the yacht club patio where I go with friends sometimes. There are huge ships that go through these channels, into and out of the harbor.

On this particular day a rig was being towed in from around the point and if you look at the positioning of ships, you can see how massive the size is as a huge liner passes behind the rig.

Amazing to watch!

Mexican Food in Nigeria

Finally I made it to Bottles Restaurant thanks to my new friend Suntosh!! The most well know place for Mexican food..... Good band, very crowded, very very expensive. This plate of food cost $20!

All the tables were reserved and we had to stand at a table outside, but I'm happy I got to indulge!!