tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-183628812011-07-07T21:39:02.022+01:00michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.comBlogger241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-14793323598550944562009-07-12T17:33:00.012+01:002009-07-12T18:37:03.620+01:00

In every building contractor there is an abu charbel. Before I introduce you properly to him, let me show you what abu charbel can do for you!This is our appartment garden before abu charbelarrived to our neighborhood.And this is it after his arrival.....

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-59117601798361554002009-07-12T14:25:00.003+01:002009-07-12T14:39:30.857+01:00

My life in general and my work in particular were on a speedy roller coaster the last 3 months.Though it is still spinning it has slowed down slightly seemingly nearing its destination.During this rough ride, I travelled to Beirut to inspect the fallen garden of our apparment; then off to Johanseburg where I was kissed by a beautiful elephant followed by a week long trip to Bahrain where I had

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-80900968482997742172009-04-04T19:21:00.006+01:002009-04-04T19:55:26.986+01:00

Most people you cross on the streets and in the markets of Lagos are beautifully fit.This is not due to a special diet it is because they walk. They walk everywhere to make a living.They walk carrying on their heads large plates filled with foodstuff or any other goods to sell.On street junctions, young men carry stacks of news papers on their heads and run to cars to sell one. Mothers carry

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-60573371017320632912009-04-02T07:06:00.003+01:002009-04-02T07:18:00.503+01:00

When we first arrived to Lagos everyone complained about the traffic jams or " the go slow" as it is referred to here. It did not deter me; coming from Cairo where traffic jams are a very serious issue. Last week, however I changed my mind.The distance from home to the office is rouhgly 9 Km which we normally cover in 15 to 20 minutes. That particular monring, it took me 2 hours to reach the

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-43582127931548441852009-03-30T21:20:00.004+01:002009-03-30T21:40:10.864+01:00

It is an old residential compound made up of 6 units redesigned into office space.A peacock and 5 turkeys wonder around all day.An empty swimming pool with its tucked away sun beds gets cleaned every time it rains.Two tennis courts have been conveniently turned into a huge car park.Pre-fabricated office units are slowly taking over the once lush gardens.It is definitely an unusual working

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-53309776052738978032009-03-28T12:49:00.006+01:002009-04-04T19:56:39.944+01:00

We are in Lagos since 2 months. We have slowly settled into a cozy routine confirming our incredible ability to make do with very little and be happy about it!!Earth hour went unnoticed in Nigeria yesterday. First half the country is in the dark, second the Government power supply is erratic and unreliable. Everything and everyone rely on generator electricity. Dealing with environment issues

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-28500731603536695242009-03-25T20:29:00.003+01:002009-03-25T21:18:03.775+01:00

Stuck in a go slow, step down and hire an okada at your own risk!Okada's are motorbikes for hire just like a taxi or micro buses of Cairo.Okadas' have grown exponentially in Lagos in recent years. Owning and running this service comes with a reasonable revenue and little costs. It is cheap to buy a motorbike. Filling up with petrol is very cheap. It costs very little to register a motorbike. It

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-38565608835858950942009-03-24T07:03:00.002+01:002009-03-24T07:05:50.400+01:00

The signs are written in red and sayDo not urinateDo not defecateDo not throw refuseKeep Lagos clean !No comments....

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-32030778711148463812009-03-22T20:45:00.005+01:002009-03-22T21:30:56.900+01:00

Need a barber? turn right... most side streets and neighborhoods have a barber spot.There you will find a bench, a mirror hanging on a villa or a residential compound wall and a small lamp hanging on top of the mirror. As soon as a customer arrives, the barber turns on his small generator, hooks the electric shaver, turns on the lamp, wraps a dark towel around your shoulders and off he goes

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-24986235436986261602009-03-20T20:42:00.004+01:002009-03-20T21:17:16.722+01:00

Medicines are easily available in Lagos, however the chances of finding authentic ones are very slim...consequently you end up bringing some medicines with you from home or in my case you buy it from the supermarket!!!! Yes on the second level of goodies you will find a medicine counter.Today Thomas's cough allergy is back. The doctor in Beirut prescribed the medicine over the phone. Next, we

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-47419954991854346672009-03-17T07:04:00.002+01:002009-03-17T07:10:08.091+01:00

Last week ended nicely.! But the internet connection at home is down since saturday. We are using a 3G card since then. More news soon !

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-87601543969031533042009-03-11T22:21:00.004+01:002009-03-11T22:47:55.836+01:00

After failing to deliver the book case on Saturday March 7, 2009 even though they called to inform us they were on their way, we stopped waiting. Instead we went out for a brunch at Chocolat Royal. Later on Cecilia and Nazlie both visiting Lagos for the first time dropped by for coffee and cake. Then together we went to Cactus Restaurant for dinner. The most talked of place in the city. It was a

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-81716812508387719732009-03-07T10:01:00.002+01:002009-03-07T10:10:47.970+01:00

Despite following up and receiving confirmation that the delivery is on schedule; the book shelves were not delivered yesterday.At one point they told me we are in front of your building!At another they said we had to return back because we forgot the tools.On the third call, they finally said the truth; inshalla boukra at 2 pm! In the meantime my inshalla ok attitude gained another day.

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-75458290282893231332009-03-05T22:11:00.006+01:002009-03-05T22:50:44.333+01:00

We are here since a month; it went by slowly or let us say not as fast as i am use to!The settling down is still on going and I firmly take an Inshala boukra attitude now.My residence permit has not been applied for though I have received all the papers signed and approved. The visa person keeps taking my passport to do nothing with it. Taking up a membership @ country club is pending an

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-16953480334798980252009-02-28T22:41:00.009+01:002009-03-01T13:36:59.974+01:00

Anyone who knows us well, knows how much we enjoy and appreciate good food!Like any cosmopolitan city; Lagos restaurants are a reflection of that. First you notice the obvious absence of the American fast food outlets as we all know it.Second you rely mostly on word of mouth and on the Lagos guide for expats to find different restaurants. So in the last four weeks, we tried and tested some of

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-23638712032183794822009-02-26T07:24:00.011+01:002009-02-26T07:46:42.226+01:00

Anyone who travels to Africa and other tropical areas will warn you of Malaria.It is an age old disease that has managed to survive and resist despite the advances in medical research...It is my number one worry and I fear it while in Lagos; it worries me more than the security concerns everyone talks about. And I fear it because generally I attract Mosquitos. How sexy!Of course; one can take

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-73498462820531100962009-02-23T19:29:00.005+01:002009-02-23T19:50:37.962+01:00

Time in Lagos moves slowly !In the last three weeks, we were never out and about later than 9 pm!It is not that the night life is boring in Lagos or it is limited; it is first due to being new in the city, second, we are still finding our way around and third it is the security concerns everyone hammers you with. Until we know our way around, we decided to take it slowly except on the weekend

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-25056301214476760422009-02-21T23:13:00.004+01:002009-02-21T23:27:19.551+01:00

There are over 500 distinct languages spoken in Nigeria. The three most prominent languages are Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. In Lagos, you will here these languages spoken with Yoruba and pidgin English dominating. Many Lagosians speak at least two languages and most understand English. Find below a translation of some commonly used phrases.419 (also known as ‘nineteen’) – any type of fraud505 – type

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-46288868117213462242009-02-19T06:48:00.002+01:002009-02-19T07:10:10.460+01:00

The 1st part of the settling down process is over !The personal effects were delivered yesterday at 13:00 hrs. One hour before the agreed time. 61 boxes were carried 3 floors up and were unpacked. 15 boxes of books and Dvds remain unpacked awaiting the wall unit.The feel and look of the apartment is different now.Though I believe one can live with the bare minimum on borrowed stuff. I realized

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-33403571836555940732009-02-16T20:42:00.004+01:002009-02-16T21:32:43.322+01:00

We packed our personal belongings in Cairo on January 14, 2009; back then we were told it will take 2 months for the shipment to reach us in Lagos.Subsequently, we packed enough clothes and other personal amenities to last us 2 months. This meant 6 large suitcases...On Feb 5, 09 Tunde my colleague from logistics drops by to pick my passport up because our lot arrived and we should expect delivery

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-82736023652932909182009-02-15T10:44:00.007+01:002009-02-15T12:38:52.913+01:00

Two weeks passed quickly and i am still pinching & asking myself; Am I really in Lagos? or I am in a dream and shall wake up and find myself back in Cairo...Lagos is vibrant, colorful and kicking forward to say the least.It certainly still offers challenges in many areas specially security and electricity. Nonetheless you see and feel the changes.The most visible changes are the large cranes

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-56360135108944467802009-02-10T07:42:00.003+01:002009-02-11T07:34:48.449+01:00

The MEA flight landed in Murtala Muhamed airport at 7:30 am on Feb 1, 2009 nicely. The flight was full.What struck me on the flight is most passengers knew each other. While waiting to take off, you could see them greeting each other and chatting. The same continued after take off!We disembarked. The first experience was the smell. It was hot, humid and stale.

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-45093309893070084502009-02-10T07:27:00.005+01:002009-02-15T12:49:31.643+01:00

The first 10 days in Lagos were fun and the settling down process has started.We all experience changes in our lives and most of us move to new cities more regularly than before. Yet every move, despite knowing the place, is mixed with curiosity and anxiety.This is the second time I relocate to this city. The first time was in 1995.During this journey, I intend to share my experience.

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18362881.post-81609405846996306452009-02-08T18:29:00.008+01:002009-02-12T20:19:51.250+01:00

The arrival procedures were orderly and unexpectedly smooth.On disembarking you head down to the first immigration check point, they review your landing card and your passport, sign it and then you proceed to the second immigration point, one person enter your info on the computer while the other one stamps it for you!A few minutes later; we were in the arrival hall. Almost every passengers had

michahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482870940130698219noreply@blogger.com0