Okadas

One of the most interesting and unusual things we have witnessed since moving to Lagos is the use of okadas. An okada is a motorcycle taxi used all around the islands and mainland of Lagos.

The locals stand on a street corner and hail an okada. But not the way one would hail a taxi in New York, instead locals make a noise that is a cross between a hiss and a kissing sound. This alerts the driver of the okada that his services are needed. The okada driver then swings over to the side of the road (even if he needs to make a u-turn) and negotiates a price for the distance that will be traveled. If the price is right, the passenger jumps on the back and away they go. No helmets, no protective jacket, and usually just flip-flops on their feet. Yikes!!!

To add to this, okada drivers make up their own rules of the road (although so does every other local driver!!!!!) There is no such thing as the “right side of the road”. Okadas will share lanes with cars and come up on either side of a car to pass. This is especially challenging when the driver of a car wants to make a turn. Not only does the driver have to look BOTH ways for oncoming traffic, but then has to check side view mirrors to see if an okada is coming up from behind.

Lagos has many traffic issues. This is a city of 15 million people and 1 working traffic light, stop signs have not been introduced to this area, and everyone drives on both sides of the road no matter what direction. Their solution to some traffic problems is to use traffic circles. These do not help. More often that not, they cause greater traffic and we get “go slows”. Lagos’ word for traffic jams.

Here is another amazing practice here in Lagos. While cars sit in a “go slow”, people walk up and down the street, between the cars, selling their wares. It could be bottles of water, mints, gum, plantain chips or our favorite: meat twinkies. (a little to scared to try that!!) If you are not hungry, they also have phone cards, belts, shoes, pirated DVD’s, and sunglasses for sale. Many of these things are carried on the heads of the sellers. (just amazing balance)

So; back to the okadas and the traffic. While all the cars are stopped in the “go slows” the okadas look at it like a slalom run. They move between the cars, not only sharing a lane but also squeezing between the front of one car and the back of another; veering around the merchants selling their wares. Many times I must close my eyes..it is all too close for my comfort.

I will leave you with one more visual to just add to the wonder which is Lagos. Because there are so many okadas, drivers are willing to take more than one passenger to get the fare. But I have also seen okadas with the most unusual kinds of passengers:

Imagine this:
the norm: driver, passenger

the unusual: driver, passenger, passenger
driver, passenger with ladder on his shoulders
driver, lawnmower
driver, lawnmower, passenger
child, driver, child, mother with child strapped to her back
child, driver, child, child, child

and the BEST:
driver, goat, passenger

Needless to say to say, we are not allowed to hop onto an okada.

Our Compound

There are several different housing compounds available here in Lagos. We live on Ikoyi Island in the “Bell Units”; 8 Bell to be specific. Our housing compound has 8 condo-style homes. Each has a small front yard, larger back yard and small patio.

We have a large combination living and dining room, a smaller den for TV viewing, roomy kitchen, laundry room and half bath all on the first floor. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The master bedroom with walk-in closet and full bath look out over the backyard. We converted one bedroom into an office and scrap-booking area and the other is a spare for any friends or family who wish to visit.

The house is furnished so we did not need to bring any bulky furniture, but slip covers might help to make it homier and more “our own”. (The furniture patterns chosen by the government leave some room for creativity – all the homes within the Foreign Service have one of three upholstery patterns) One new friend told us that when their family moved to Lagos, their children were all excited that the furniture from the previous post was already in their new home.

The arrival of our personal effects will be great. I am sure that once we have our things (familiar things) sprucing up the house; it will feel more like a home. Dan will also be very excited once our things arrive because I will stop moving the furniture around. I just can't get the "right look". I have moved all I can at least twice and I had to ask for his help a couple times as well. He has made the executive decision to STOP MOVING FURNITURE until our things arrive and we know what we have to put away. Hum bug!

Dan has been able to track our car as well as our house hold effects and they all seem close. We are hoping that by the end of the month we will have something….either the car or our stuff would be great. It will be as if Christmas has come early.

We are looking forward to hosting dinner parties and get-togethers once our things arrive. We love cooking and hosting…it should be fun. And if we are fortunate enough to hire a steward we will have the fun of cooking but not have to do the dishes after. Yeah us!!

GQ

We are very fortunate here in Lagos. We have the American Club which we can visit freely. The American Club is referred to as the GQ or Guest Quarters. It houses a small hotel, bar, restaurant, pool, commissary, small gym and tennis court. As Diplomats (and spouses), these amenities are at our disposal.
When Dan and I first arrived, the lack of Internet was quite frustrating. But then we discovered that the bar is open daily and provides free Internet access. We would frequently walk to the GQ and sit in the bar to check email and catch up on news from home. The bar also provides special events each week. We, along with many others from the consulate, enjoy our Friday happy hours most of all. There the margaritas flow freely and there is much relaxing conversation.
The restaurant has special events as well. Every Sunday a brunch buffet is offered. Fresh fruit, cereal, cold cuts, sausage, bacon, grits, and potatoes are offered along with made to order omelet and waffle stations. The big event for the restaurant is Thursday night: Tex-Mex. Again it is buffet style and really quite good. Every month they offer a special dinner. In October they featured traditional Indian cuisine and this month they are offering a Lebanese meal. I have heard they are quite good, but expensive.
The pool is a big draw for so many. We often sit poolside, read a book, and take a dip when it becomes too hot. It is this luxury that makes me forget the time of the year. I am just not used to sunbathing the day before Halloween. (suffer! suffer! suffer!) The pool is also huge draw for families. Parents often throw birthday parties poolside. On those days we try to steer clear…. many more little ones running and splashing.
The commissary is a small grocery store. Sadly, the stock is random. I have learned that it is good idea to buy the items I want when I see them, because they might not be there the next time I walk in the door. We have found comfort foods at the commissary; that is a nice treat.
We are using the gym and tennis court more frequently. Both Dan and I are taking tennis lessons. I am learning the game and Dan is strengthening his skills. The GQ is organizing a doubles tournament for tennis. Dan will probably participate; I am going to wait until I know the game a bit better. But it is great that the GQ provides so many different ways to meet new friends.

Halloween Party 2008

Hurray for us!!! 3 days before Halloween and our costumes arrive. I can hardly wait to get home and check out our costumes. Dan didn’t want to go as a “couple” so we each picked costumes that best match our personalities…… drum roll please…. Dan chose Indiana Jones and I chose Super Girl!!

Just let me say, the pictures and models that are used on Target’s site are a bit misleading. The costumes were not exactly what I had pictured. Super Girl is cheesy and Dan’s is just ridiculous.

Super Girl has the blue body suit with red cape and skirt and shiny gold belt. And the big “S” on the chest. Good so far. Then I try it on. Most of the dress fits, but the top just gapes open. (Super Girl must have a triple D bust) I guess I will have to wear a tank top and my best push up. And then, you’ll love this, the boots! They aren't really boots; they are more like silky-nylon like socks. BUT they are red and only go from knee to top of my foot. There is a strap (like one would find on stretch pants) on the bottom. The idea is that this fits over Super Girl's red stilettos. And then the sock-book looks like her boots. I think it is to be a little sexy. Sadly, I do not have red shoes. I only have red sandals .It will have to work. (This is how Super Girl dresses for the equator.) It will be corny. Go figure. A silly Halloween costume

Dan's Indiana Jones costume is so cheap. I knew it would not be a real leather jacket, but nonetheless, I was hoping for a little more. He has a felt-like jacket that has a nice insignia on the left breast that says "Indiana Jones" (it will probable help). The hat is the same felt-like material. Because it has been stuffed in its plastic wrapping for the trip to Lagos, the hat is flat. I am not sure we will be able to bring it back to life; but maybe a few staples will help. It surely could not hurt. Here is the best though....are you sitting down??? With the cheap hat and jacket came a pair of stretch pants; very similar to the parachute pants of the 80’s. Dan has chosen to wear his own pants. What a hum-bug!!

The party is Friday night at the American Club. We arrive with Miss New Jersey and Marilyn Monroe. Many friends are already there: Charlie Brown, the corrections officer with her prisoner, Prince Charming and the Wicked Queen from Sleeping Beauty. The party is just starting, but within an hour the music is pumping and everyone is dancing. Everyone had a SPOOK-TACULAR time!!!