The container story..........oops, end first!

We were just leaving the mall when we received the call on Saturday that the trucking coming was on the way with our container. It was a few hours later, close to dusk, when they arrived. There were six men with the trucking company, and it took all of them, most of the guards, some men from the provast and Chris and I upstairs holding our breath to get that truck backed into the appropriate place for unloading.

It was frightening to watch and with some pretty close calls but at the end of the day, we had our things in the flat and everyone went home. We have been sleeping on a rock hard bed since we have been in the flat so we had one and only one goal; to setup and make up our bed and get in it. Best night's sleep we have had in ages. Every night now, if feels luxurious to climb between the sheets. It is amazing to us how much we took for granted before. There is a great lesson for us here everyday in our daily life here.

Ciao!

Chris & Donnie

Vegetable Market, shopping & life

The above is a picture story and very much a part of our everyday life. Most of the pictures represent one of many markets where we shop. It's a downtown Lagos market, very old, and what I enjoy most about it is the children. They are just wonderful! You know with children, there are no cultural or language barriers. One big smile and they will follow you anywhere. Most of our shopping I do during the week but since we have to buy fresh veggies and fruit at least twice if not three times, sometimes Chris gets to help.

The second to last picture (I think) is Emmanuel, our Steward. He is big and strong and works very hard. He is learning to cook so that I can now ask him to make Tabouli and he does it with no help from me and no questions asked. Yeah Emmanuel! (aka African Kevin)

To briefly catch up, our container arrived on Saturday evening, so this time there is an extra blog with maybe all pictures and no words but it tells a story that was pretty scary while watching it from the 6th floor balcony of our flat. You will understand what I mean when you see it!

We are leaving August 22nd for our first big outing since we arrived. We will be in South Africa with four days in Capetown and four days on Safari at a private game reserve closer to Johannesburg. So, there will probably be no other posting until about the first week of September but there will be some great pictures from that trip.

As most of you already know, we are making our first US tour in the month of October, so I have pretty well nailed down dates and visits and I will be sending that out soon, before we go to South Africa. We have tickets for both trips and we are quite ready to get away.

Have a nice viewing and send us an email when you get a chance.

TaTa, as my Scottish friend says!

The Patriarcas