27 Things I Will Miss About Nigeria

Partly cloudy, 91 degrees, 65% humidity

As I quickly draw close to the date in which I will leave the crazy place I've called home for the last 11 months, I decided it was appropriate to commemorate my 27 years of existence, the fact that this year I celebrated my Golden Birthday (turned 27 on the 27th), AND the fact that I have (now less than) 27 days before I leave with an account of 27 things I will miss about Nigeria.  In no particular order, they are as follows:

1.      The simplicity of the life I live here. No iPhone, inconsistent (sometimes non-existent) internet, power, and running water.  Need I say more?

2.       The ridiculously low cost of a cab.  Less than $1.50 for a 10 min cab ride.

3.       My friends at the Farmer's Market and other establishments I frequent who know what I want before I walk in.

4.       The lack of structure and policy.  Though I sometimes HATE this, there is something about it that makes one feel free.

5.      The look and/or response I get when I tell someone I'm a volunteer and how much I get "paid."

6.       Being lulled back to sleep at 4 am by the call to prayer.

7.       The ease in which you can get anything on the black market - currency, videos, fuel, drugs, you name it.

8.       Getting respect - from almost everyone, everywhere.  Though it's normally not for the right reasons (my skin color), I appreciate it.

9.       Shaking my butt to Naija (Nigerian) tunes in the club.

10.  Fresh papaya.

11.  Getting my hair touched, played with, and fixed regularly by colleagues and other admirers.

12. Traffic cop's performances.  If you've never seen a Nigerian traffic cop in action, check out the following video.  Entertaining.

13. Being serenaded by colleagues throughout the work day.

14. Not having to shave my legs to wear skirts/dresses to work.  Most Nigerian women don't shave at all.  Why should I?

15.  Informing Nigerians that I CANNOT do anything to help them get a U.S. visa.

16.  Travelling by public transport.  Imagine 9 adults, 2 babies, and some kind of livestock packed in to an AC-less van that seats 7 while listening to Celine Dion for hours upon end.

17.  Wearing leggings to work.

18.  Squatting over the toilet at work and in most public places because there is no toilet seat.  Very good workout.

19.  Corn on the cob and coconut.  Together, these two things make for a great lunch.

20.  The song-like call of "oyibo" (white woman/man) by village kids echoing through the bush as we ride through remote FCT villages on mountain bikes.

21. Turning heads.  No matter how good or bad I look, I always get attention.  Though most of the time I am irritated by this, I'm pretty sure I will return home, to a world where I am the norm, and be upset that I am not getting such attention.

22. Winning a negotiation.  Nothing feels better than coming out of a bargaining session, having talked someone down to the price I want.

23. Hand washing my clothes.  NOT.  This is probably the thing I will miss the least.

24.  The oh-so-honest daily comments (compliments and cut downs) from colleagues about my appearance, including, but not limited to, "Your face is oily," "Is that a zit?" "You look tired," "What did you eat this morning? Your belly is protruding," "I like your dress," "You're looking fresh," "Your hair looks nice like that," and my all time favorite, "Oh, you've added weight back there too. I thought it was only in your face."

25. Moi moi.  One of few Nigerian dishes that I like.  Sort of like a tamale, but with beans instead of corn.

26.  Warm weather.  Yes, I bitch about the heat and the fact that I am constantly sweating, but you really can't beat having summer weather (and a tan) year round.

27.  The people - colleagues, volunteers, friends - from all corners of the world.  What has truly made my experience.