Have just returned from a 2 week trip to Abuja for my In Country Training (ICT). The trip started with a 13.5 hour bus ride from Calabar to Abuja - it was on a "luxury" bus - but it was still pretty cramped and hot! But I survived and met some lovely people on the bus, in fact I was brought a drink, was accompanied to the hotel by a lovely lady who did not want me to get lost and I had my taxi fare paid for! People here are so generous and kind!
This time round Crystal Palace Hotel seemed luxurious - just two weeks in Nigeria have redefined my expectations! Having electricity, wifi, air con and a fridge was a definite novelty!
ICT was good, it was lovely meeting with my fellow volunteers, learning more about VSO's strategy and generally swapping ideas and experiences. The group was diverse with volunteers from Kenya, Holland, Canada and the UK.
My group:
Abuja:
Us in a local bar!
+-+Copy.JPG)
For the weekend we got to stay with 'seasoned' volunteers and I found myself with the lovely Heather and McKinley staying in their nice apartment! It was great to have some girly conversations, go shopping and hang out in the pool - almost like being on holiday! We lived next door to Gordon and Robert who were hosting Daniel and Robert, so Saturday evening we had the pleasure of amazing Kenyan food! Chipati and stew - was delicious!
I also got to visit a rural community with Heather and her organisation (EVA) and saw the peer sexual education programme for myself. At first the presence of two white girls seemed to hinder the session, but once photos of the various STIs were shown then the conversations soon began! Travelled out to the community on my first okado (motorbike taxi) - thankfully my driver went slowly and I found myself enjoying the breeze rather than being stuck in a hot bus!
The last night in Abuja was a gorgeous meal with the volunteers and VSO staff - definitely the nicest meal I've had here so far!
Then so quickly I found myself on the long journey back to Calabar - again meeting lovely people and one gave me a lift back to the house! The journey goes through rural parts of Nigeria and the country is so much greener than I expected it to be.
Nigeria has a reputation for being a difficult country to travel in - which given the state of the roads it is true! But it is also important to acknowledge all the kind and helpful people who make those journeys worthwhile.
I'm back in Calabar now for 2 weeks, but I have to make that journey again in 2 weeks for the volunteer forum and celebration!!! But hopefully this time I will have the company of my fellow calabar volunteers!
This time round Crystal Palace Hotel seemed luxurious - just two weeks in Nigeria have redefined my expectations! Having electricity, wifi, air con and a fridge was a definite novelty!
ICT was good, it was lovely meeting with my fellow volunteers, learning more about VSO's strategy and generally swapping ideas and experiences. The group was diverse with volunteers from Kenya, Holland, Canada and the UK.
My group:
Abuja:
Us in a local bar!
+-+Copy.JPG)
For the weekend we got to stay with 'seasoned' volunteers and I found myself with the lovely Heather and McKinley staying in their nice apartment! It was great to have some girly conversations, go shopping and hang out in the pool - almost like being on holiday! We lived next door to Gordon and Robert who were hosting Daniel and Robert, so Saturday evening we had the pleasure of amazing Kenyan food! Chipati and stew - was delicious!
I also got to visit a rural community with Heather and her organisation (EVA) and saw the peer sexual education programme for myself. At first the presence of two white girls seemed to hinder the session, but once photos of the various STIs were shown then the conversations soon began! Travelled out to the community on my first okado (motorbike taxi) - thankfully my driver went slowly and I found myself enjoying the breeze rather than being stuck in a hot bus!
The last night in Abuja was a gorgeous meal with the volunteers and VSO staff - definitely the nicest meal I've had here so far!
Then so quickly I found myself on the long journey back to Calabar - again meeting lovely people and one gave me a lift back to the house! The journey goes through rural parts of Nigeria and the country is so much greener than I expected it to be.
Nigeria has a reputation for being a difficult country to travel in - which given the state of the roads it is true! But it is also important to acknowledge all the kind and helpful people who make those journeys worthwhile.
I'm back in Calabar now for 2 weeks, but I have to make that journey again in 2 weeks for the volunteer forum and celebration!!! But hopefully this time I will have the company of my fellow calabar volunteers!
No comments:
Post a Comment