Mom & Kevin's visit

Mom & Kevin’s trip to Lagos

I rode the Shell bus out to the Lagos airport on the mainland on Tuesday, 11 August 2009 to meet Mom & Kevin when they arrived. I was very excited and since I was going solo, I wore my Taekwondo uniform because people treat with me with a great deal of respect when I am wearing my uniform and while they may not be sure I could do any harm, they also are not sure I couldn’t.
Of course, first step off the bus, there’s Michael (the airport Shell guy) at departures where I had to get off the bus. He said I wasn’t on his list and wanted to know why I was there. I told him I was meeting family and had to take the early bus so I wouldn’t miss them. He took me by the arm and said he was parking me in a restaurant upstairs out of the mainstream and would later escort me down to arrivals. So at about 15 before their arrival, I called Michael and said I was ready to go. He said no, he would come get me when the plane was on the ground. Finally he came to get me, took me down two flights of stairs and outside to await their departure from baggage claim, and of course he turned me over to two other Shell guys who were working departures.
After waiting another hour, finally I saw Kevin walk out the door and I was so excited. In a moment or two, here came Mom behind him. What a thrill for me! One of the Shell guys took their luggage and led us to the Shell car park. They had a bus waiting and we were the last passengers to board so immediately began our commute back to the Islands. We have been here over a year now so I forget how visually stimulating the sights and sounds are to someone who has never been here. They were totally amazed. We made it home in about 45 minutes. Chris had waited up for us but excused himself shortly after our arrival.

We were all amazed at the reverence with which Mom was treated wherever we went. I guess when you consider she is 82 years old and the average life span of a Nigerian is 42 years, that just might have something to do with it. I’ve always said the best part of Nigeria is the people and they proved that one more time in the way they treated my Mom.

We had something to eat and not long after, we were all ready to call it a night. In advance of their arrival, I had made a list of things to see and do that would keep us busy for a week. I had not taken into consideration the jet lag and the 6 hour time difference you have to adjust to so needless to say, the first day, I crossed off the list because there was no way we would be leaving for the museum talk at 9:30 in the morning. Once they were up, dressed and ready, we opted for an easy day. I had Samuel, our driver take us to Lagos Island so they could see the downtown and the building where Chris works, then we drove along the waterfront to Oceanview Restaurants and Bakery, one of my favorite coffee houses and the very best chocolate croissants in town. We had a nice leisurely visit there and bought some freshly baked bread for the week and then returned to Niger Towers.

Everyone who comes here is totally fascinated by the Okadas and we were too at first. Now, they are just part of the landscape. Mom wanted to take pictures every time she saw ten or more at one stop, sometimes there are more like 100 or more. And of course, when we have a two lane street, the cars manage to form four lanes of traffic with Okadas weaving in, out and around us all. Okadas are motorcycle taxis and they are the fastest transportation in town. I had to tell them of my recent adventure of riding the Okada to the gym one day. The gym is only 5 minutes from the house driving but about 45 minutes to walk. Chris needed Samuel that day so at about 15 of 11, I went out and asked one of the guards to call me a taxi. He walked out the gate with me right behind and started trying to flag down a taxi; even the empty ones weren’t stopping. About that time, an Okada stopped to leave a passenger and I told Obie I would ride the Okada and started walking toward it. He said “Oh Madam, I can get you a taxi.” I said, “That’s okay, I want to ride the Okada”, so he walked over with me and asked for the passenger helmet and told the driver he must be very careful because I was very small. I made it very fast and the ride was exhilarating. I knew I would have to do that at least once and was glad I did.

The days quickly became a week and we hadn’t done half the things on my list. Mom’s only regret was that we didn’t get to go to the wildlife park. We left on Monday to go but it was extremely cloudy and Kevin decided that walking through this wildlife park held no appeal to him whatsoever, so we compromised and went to Chocolate Royale instead. (That’s a glitzy newly rebuilt coffee house and bakery/restaurant.)

We saved our “out of town” trip until Saturday so Chris could be with us. We drove to Ibadan, about 2 hours from Lagos to see the huge markets they have which include a lot of fabrics. I have wanted to shop for fabric to make a traditional Nigerian dress and Mom loves to look at fabric. Ibadan is touted to have at one time been the largest city in Sub-Saharan Africa, and I believe. I think maybe Lagos has outpaced them but there are a lot of people there and we probably weren’t even half way through the maze. We had to hire an Okada to lead us to the part of the market we wanted to see and the sights were unbelievable. We got to the place and the Okada stopped so we stopped. The market goes on for miles and miles but he stopped in front of a high end fabric store, not what I had in mind but that’s where we were.

The little hut had standing space of maybe 6’ X 8’ at most and we all went in, Mom, me, Kevin, Chris and Samuel, our driver. I’m surprised our Okada guide didn’t come in to, and they had about four people working in there. It was actually hilarious. I was first in so could not have gotten out if I had wanted to. What I had in mind was a pretty cotton fabric in brown with a subtle yellow pattern that I could wear to the market or anywhere else I go, but they had one kind of fabric. It was quite beautiful but heavier than I had in mind, maybe 26” strips, probably 62” long with fringe on each end.

The women in the shop could not understand me and I could not understand them so it was good to have Samuel there who usually understands Chris. When I finally found a brown with a delicate yellow pattern, I was ready to give in to the fabric when Kevin says “no, Mom, brown is not a good color for a fabric that is so formal”, so here we go again. There was no mirror and they had dragged out so many different fabrics, I was about knee deep in it. I felt very claustrophobic and pressured and was ready to go somewhere else and both Kevin and Chris said here we are, you have a once in a lifetime opportunity to have an elegant Nigerian dress so I caved in and started looking at other colors and finally agreed upon a burgundy with a pale yellow stitched design. They said I needed four strips for a blouse/top, a full length skirt with flared bottom, a wrap and a headdress. By this time, Chris was looking at fabric and had selected one for his traditional Nigerian dress that he can wear on Fridays when they have “go African” day.

We went to the car and told the Okada boy we wanted to go eat some chicken and he headed us back toward Lagos and eventually pulled over at a Chicken Republic and we stopped for lunch and then drove back to Lagos. I realized later this was totally not what I had wanted for my Mom and we didn’t even get to see any of the Aso Oke. I was glad to see Lagos when we returned but sorry we didn’t take the time to look around a bit.

On Sunday, we had lazy day. That’s what Chris and I always do and Mom and Kevin were all for it. We played Mahjong every day. Kevin would get up, get his first cuppa coffee and say it was time for morning Mahjong. We would play a couple of games to start the day and usually a couple to end it.

We did make it out to Lekki Market one day. That is a must for all visitors and it’s made especially for owibos. Mom had a great time shopping and I introduced them to our favorite artist, Darlington. We had to have our picture taken with Darlington. Mom got lots of souvenirs so she was happy.

One day, I suggested we go to Terra Culture for lunch and there is also a gallery and a bookstore there. Kevin had to work or study or something and so declined the invitation but Mom and I had a nice lunch and had a private viewing of the current show hanging in the gallery.

Tuesday, we didn’t leave the house until 4:45 p.m. They both needed a big part of the day to pack up in a relaxed manner. We caught the Shell bus that leaves 2nd Ave at 5:10 p.m. and it left right on time. We made it to the airport in record time. We were the only ones on the bus, Mom, Kevin and me and it was a big one. The luggage was loaded on the van behind the bus and last but not least, our escort followed closely behind and was loud with the horn and sirens periodically.

As we stepped out at departures, there was a Shell guy who helped us off the bus and another one who retrieved our luggage from the van. We went into the airport (it was only about half full) and Mom and Kevin’s eyes got big. The Shell guy said “follow me” and we did as he pushed, pulled and tugged his way through with the luggage while making room for us. He put Mom’s luggage on the table for immigration, told Kevin to hold back, said a few words to the woman and she waived us through. We had a few forms to complete so walked back toward the door to go into for pre-board and security and found a wall that we could write on the complete the forms. Once all done, I looked at Mom and she had tears in her eyes. I gave her a really big hug and told her how much I appreciated her being brave enough to make that long trip and what a thrill it had been for me. A hug for Kevin and off they went. I sure missed them the next day.

Then I went down two flights of stairs to arrivals. I walked to the street and started toward the Shell car park and once again Michael appeared to escort me there. The ride back was uneventful and Chris was home when I arrived. The week passed so fast. I am sure I am forgetting many special moments but those of you who know Mom or Kevin will be hearing much more about this trip. What else can I say but that it was a pleasure to have you both and we look forward to the visits to be made by the rest of our children.

Adios for now!

Donnie