Fully embracing my Oyinbo status

This week started out being uneventful. I slept way more than anyone should in one week. It was very called for. As for "how" or "why" it was called for, let's just say laziness called and I answered.  

On the days that I went out, I was reminded of the little things that can frustrate you about being in a developing country. How can one go to three major hotels (including Sheraton), and not be able to find a well functioning fax machine? I guess you could blame it on the transition from fax to email, but still it was annoying. Let me quickly add that I was impressed by the customer service at Lagos airport hotel. We Nigerians are generally well mannered people, but we tend to suck at customer service. Despite being the most scruffy of the three hotels I visited, the staff at Lagos airport hotel were very courteous and fun. So fun that they made our 50-minute long attempt at faxing my documents less-frustrating. Keyword: attempt.  Yes we ended up not being able to fax it after almost an hour. Their verdict was: "it must be a network problem". This place is good for building your patience and all the other fruits of the spirit. The HolySpirit must be proud of me.

As for adapting to life in Lagos, everyone now knows that I will snap everything and anything. So, I've fully embraced my "Oyinbo" status; there's no point trying so hard to fit in. Here are some of my random shots:

This is the process that puts the "party" in party Jollof rice! The firewood cooking process is kind of a must at large parties.

I even got to be the official photographer for one engagement (Yoruba traditional wedding), but I got shy and gave my camera to someone who was happy doing all the walking around. Most people have a hard time understanding how I can talk so much and still be shy. I don't know either. I like to think I'm an extroverted introvert...learn about us here.

Spot me looking out of place in my non aso-ebi outfit. Since I was a last minute addition to the crew, nobody thought to make me a matching family outfit. And I didn't bring any traditional clothes...because I'm hoping to make some while here.

Family members having differing reactions to 'our in-laws' being lax with their time keeping despite the rain that was threatening to fall. 

...and then came the rain. No, Nigerian rains bear no semblance to the cute Canadian drizzles.

Thankfully the rain came after the prostrating. This is my favourite part of Yoruba weddings. The groom and his friends and family coming to beg for the bride. So cool! It 's not like the family can say no at this point, since he already came to officially ask for her hand in marriage at the family introduction. But it's one cultural formality that I like. 

The bride immediately had my heart for just dancing away as if the rain wasn't a show spoiler! I was so impressed!

Come rain, come shine, we will spray the Naira.

Wife in hand, sealed with a ring, we packed our bags and headed for the nasty Lagos traffic...in rush hour...on a Friday. Sigh

We've burned through our  Wi-Fi at home, so I'm dependent on my 2GB phone data. It's supposed to last for one month, but I'm on my third purchase in three weeks. Judge me if you will, but you only live once. So I say: use the data, stream the movie, stalk the person, plan the imaginary weddings, do whatever else you do with your data. Yes, I've been taking my own advice... Maybe a little too much.

I'll be back soon  with more Naija Living rants.

Bye for now!