July 16th 2007

Well I had a pleasant surprise today. I registered at the SIM guest house for parts of my stay here in Nigeria. Well it may not be so bad after all. A comfortable bed, a flush toilet, and I can even take a bath!


There was trouble on the way home with the Land Rover today. The problem is that Peter has just purchased this vehicle and no one really knows how to manage it. A volunteer driver was trying to maneuver us through the city, but too much stalling and grinding the gears resulted in a shot starter and the vehicle had to be pushed to the side. You can't imagine the chaos of pushing a dead vehicle to the side, in a maze of traffic. I was told to stay in the vehicle, gladly in the mayhem. Just as soon as the care was pushed to the side, an angel Kenny, shows up - some of us hop into his car, only seconds before my first experience of a torrential down pour.

Back at the office - met with umbrellas, from the car door to the office door - in a matter of seconds, even with the umbrella, I am soaked. I enter, and Martha has a small group of people waiting for me inside. There are balloons and ribbons on the wall and a 'Welcome Laura' sign. As I enter, they start to sing, "You are welcome, in the name of the Lord...". I meet a handful of Global Relief friends and volunteers. We have a couple snacks, peanuts and cookies, and Fanta. Then they sit me in the center chair and grill me with questions about my coming there and tell me about myself... But the party is cut short, the day has been delayed due to earlier car troubles, but we must be off to my SIM orientation.

SIM orientation - where I get to learn a bit about safety and health, nigerian culture, etc. The questions pour out, finally a social space to ask some of the questions and to relieve some of the worries Ive had. Gestures, dress, appropriateness, "white woman" rep, what does this mean? etc. I found it very helpful... But this too is only one perception. I find there is always more than one answer to all my questions. Best way to learn is to observe.