Another Travels Blog

M4C in very simple terms

2007-10-16T11:46:00.001+01:00

Today's conversation:

Komo: like to kno wat u do
thnks 4 da add

Anke: Me I do dis
http://musicforchange.blogspot.com
wat do u do?

Komo: wat is music for change

Anke: kicking musicians into putting the right messages into their songs
you know, like Fela... maybe less naked
But basically using entertainment for development

Ram Bashing or Football? Choices, choices...

2007-10-15T09:14:00.000+01:00

Quick note, just a few pics from this weekend:

The real interesting bits I don't have pics of - me on stage at the Felabration, announcing my Music4Change thing, my boys getting their big break, and the Black-Eyed Peas concert Sunday night. But here are some pics I took out in Ikorodu where I spent most of Sat afternoon (albeit half dead with dehydration) and Sunday morning.

In other news, my guru has been launched big style as the new professor for Indian Religions and Culture in Hong Kong this week. Press Release

2007-10-11T10:40:00.000+01:00

Nigeria the Fifth. Day One.

2007-10-10T09:17:00.000+01:00

Had a wonderful flight. The food was great, the seat next to me was free, so no problem for space. Great entertainment, had a nice rest.

It was raining when I got out of the airport, driver was there, everything fine.

Got home, unpacked with the help of my maid Blessing, did some writing, went to bed.

Slept beautifully, Blessing woke me up asking for the key, got up at 6:15, didn’t meditate, did my hair though. Ended up wearing it in a tight bun with the fake ponytail draped on top of it. Was nice.

Tried to make it to the hospital this morning before work, driver didn’t show, but traffic on Awolowo was too bad, so turned around and went to the office instead. Everyone happy to see me, tried to catch up, a few people ordered something, mostly things seem on track, I was thinking it is not such a difficult job, let me just do it.

Checked my mails, internet connection in the office is iffy at best, need an IT guy around. Started calling people, IK said he’d show me stuff in the papers about me, with pics from the Chill Out thing where I was dragged on the dance floor by this comedian guy. Called customers as well, scheduled a few meetings, one was really nice, two are being weird, and I dunno what to do about them. One asked for a meeting with Nilesh and me tomorrow. Who knows what that is gonna be all about. This guy is difficult at the best of times, having ordered stuff and then not picked it up.

Had a call from Parkers estate agents, buyers backed out again. Not nice. Called them all to get it back on the market.

Had lunch with the guys from downstairs, think it’ll be ok for now, they are quite different amongst themselves, some from South India and some from the North etc, so it’s not like it’s them and me. Well maybe it is but I just have to forget about that. I think I’ll be ok if I do.

Then went out to meet Mr Fagbemi from Skin Beauty and Mr Tabbah from Cybele, I felt out of my depth at both but had my boy Maurice with me. Why are we trying to sell them stuff that is difficult to push out? I dunno.

Went straight to the hospital, it was 5:30 by the time we got there, thought I’d be late but Adino wasn’t there, called him and he asked if I wanted to wait an hour, I said no way, have to go Shrine tonight. So I went in by myself… Tuface lying there with his big bandage on his leg… poor bloke. Is not right.

So I sat on the side of his bad leg and got talking, tried to give him some reiki and most surprisingly it started flowing like anything, he felt it as well. I started to do just over the bandage, then he asked me to put it on a localised place, correcting me when I hadn’t got it exactly right. And when I took my hand away to answer the phone he was almost shocked and said Did you feel that? He was amazed he could feel all that energy flowing when I wasn't even touching him. Big Brother was on TV. We talked about the foundation; I asked him what his original idea was, and told him my two thoughts, which were the need for the right people, and direction.

Talked about some other stuff as well, he was asking if I smoked or drank, and said he had been with me a few times and knew really that I didn’t. This was great, having him to myself for a whole hour like this. I remember trying to convince NGO people in Europe of the potential impact his foundation could have on all of Africa... raising money won't be difficult, but he needs to have a vision, people, and he needs to put himself into it. Because judging from his lyrics, he has the vision.

Gosh I went on about his lyrics and he was almost embarassed... he is such a humble guy. Great really.

Went to the Shrine after having dinner. Met Bash and his people… met YK, Femi, the general, Ope, Francis, Ken, Biyi (he looked shockingly thin… had been ill and wouldn’t tell me what it was… I told him that I had met with Yinka in London and when he asked if Yinka had told me anything, I said He told me to stay away from you guys! Lol), Sunday (told him I had spoken to Tuface about playing at the Shrine…) this… what’s his name? Ke something, Valerie with a guy, Seun’s friend… every time I come to the Shrine it’s like family dinner.

Seun was playing, he was fantastic. Azu was there of course with Celine, Bash had a chat with Ope, all good fun. Bash is pushing me to launch Music4Change at the Felabration which is lasting until Saturday…. Only a little bit of pressure then! He wants to print t-shirts and everything. Would even finance it. Well… what are friends for?

Going back on Monday

2007-10-06T09:41:00.000+01:00

Blog has been quiet. I'm going back to Nigeria on Monday, after trying to sort out bits and bobs here so that I wouldn't have to worry about things here all the time.

Will start posting again once I'm back down.

Here's a taster: The first page of my proposal for one my new ventures.

Soul Spa

Littering a dark and dreary road lie the past relics of cheap beauty salons, unhygienic conditions, untrained staff and broken promises.

Today we must clear the mind of past practices. Spa enlightenment has been brought within our reach thanks to the tireless efforts of the major new spa creators.

The Soul Spa takes this development one step further. We invite you to relax and take advantage of the latest in beauty enlightenment, as well as old and proven relaxation techniques. Begin to see with clarity. Learn to use the time-honoured techniques of inner beauty in a new and invigorating environment. Become one with your beautiful soul.

When your mind is calm,
The beauty of your soul shines through

Femi Kuti in London

2007-02-17T20:21:00.000Z

As hard as it was to leave Lagos, the good news is that Femi Kuti and his band came to the UK 3 days after me and are now touring the country. I managed to see them on Thursday at the Barbican centre, a sold out show which blew everyone's minds as expected. I think Seun Kuti's prediction about Afrobeat going mainstream this year is coming true! Funk was born in Nigeria :D I got there for the sound check and because I had spent so much time at the Afrika Shrine lately, some of the guys recognised me and put me on the guest list. Yay.

Of course these pictures are old ones from the shrine... I don't have my Sony Alpha, so no new pics for now :(

Not doing the groupie thing though, they are up north all week and I didn't fancy the cold, so I'll see them again next Saturday when they are back down south, if everything works out to plan. Might invite them for tea then. - Oh wait... I don't have a house now... lol... I was asked if I wanted to travel with them over to Croatia though. And since I have good friends in Zagreb (waves to KC), i really would love to. But I don't think I can afford it right now...

Shocking Revelations

2007-02-14T18:42:00.000Z

This is an article from Punch (one of the big newspapers in Nigeria) about the situation with my boss just before I left the country. It's long but very good, and I can't post the link, so it'll all have to go here... sorreeeee :)

Oh, and any emphasis was placed by me.

Shocking revelations
By ’Nonye Iwuagwu
Published: Saturday, 3 Feb 2007

Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is one association that has been rocked by a lot of crises for some time now. For the past 10 months that Bolaji Rosiji has been calling the shots in that organisation, the Krishna monk has not had a month devoid of rancour.

Now, he cannot take it any longer, so he has thrown in the towel. Last Wednesday, he voluntarily resigned as the PMAN president. The fire became too hot for him to handle.

A lot of criticisms had trailed his election as the PMAN president. Many felt he was not a musician and as such, not qualified to be the president..

The election didn’t go down well with some of the musicians, so they went ahead to create another faction of PMAN, led by juju musician, Dele Abiodun.

Of course, each faction had its own followers. Rosiji seemed to have greater control because he was operating from the Ikeja secretariat of the association. Besides, he organised a number of events that earned him more attention.
But he really had it rough for the little while he remained the PMAN president. He braced up to the challenge. And apparently in a bid to become more rugged, he discarded the Krishna robes and went for denims and boots. Many believed he took a cue from his mentor, Charly Boy. And as if to justify that, he got himself a power bike.
Ironically, it is the same Charley Boy that Rosiji is holding responsible for his decision to resign from PMAN.

Speaking to Spectacles on Thursday, Rosiji alleged that the Weirdest One wanted to turn him into a puppet and he had to resign because he could not take it any longer. “I cannot condescend to the level that Charly Boy wanted,” he said. “Because I wasn’t ready to dance to his tunes, he sent me a text to tell me that by the time he finished with me, I would not be able to walk on the streets of Lagos. In fact, I might as well read out the text message he sent to me. It said, ‘Bolaji, I think it is time we had a talk. Your time as PMAN President is about to wind down. I know I have made a big mistake, so I have to clean the mess myself. Let’s talk so that we can find the easiest way out for you. I can’t take it anymore.”

Rosiji said that it was PMAN’s lawyer that made Charly Boy understand that even if he had to be removed, due process should be followed. “That was when they sat down together and put pen to paper. The only query they could come up with was misappropriations of funds,” he said.

Rosiji felt the accusation was ridiculous since he had been the person running the association with his personal money.

“Considering the fact that I have put in more than N50 million for the past 10 months that I have been there, I found the query ridiculous. All the time my father was into politics, he never had a case of financial misconduct. I just had to leave.”

Although he remained in charge for 10 months, Rosiji said his problem with Charly Boy started right from the outset. He said the problem started right at the convention in Kaduna when the position of Ambassador General was created.
“PMAN never had such a position. It was Charly Boy that lobbied delegates so that the position would be created for him to still be able to look into the affairs of PMAN and sit in our meetings. That position does not exit in PMAN’s constitution. He lobbied and twisted the constitution so that he and his allies could be sitting-in in our National Working Committee meetings. But I found out that he is not concerned about PMAN; he is only there to fill his pockets.”

Rosiji recalled that Charly Boy initially complained of being sidelined, adding that that was why he started letting him into some PMAN’s projects.

“Before I knew what was happening, he would hijack the project and take it for himself.”

Rosiji alledged that Charly Boy wanted to be the person to oversee the affair of PMAN to the extent of telling him to sack some members of staff of the association.

He said, “He wanted me to get rid of the secretary general and the corporate affairs manager, Fidelia. His relationship with Fidelia got bad because she reported him to Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja, telling him that Charly Boy was terrorising PMAN. That day, Charly Boy called me and said if I didn’t get rid of these people, he was going to scatter everything.
It would seem like Rosiji was afraid of Charly Boy that he decided to leave immediately. But he denied that. “I am not afraid of Charly Boy. Definitely not. It was just that he made PMAN ungovernable as a result of the change in the constitution that he masterminded.

When Spectacles spoke to Charly Boy concerning the allegations levelled against him by Rosiji, he had a good laugh.

“How can he say I want him as my puppet. I already have a dog as a pet and I don’t think I need another one.”
On the allegation of blackmail, the Area Father said he couldn’t have blackmailed Rosiji.

If he knew that Rosiji was incompetent, how come he did all in his power to make sure that he became the PMAN president? His response, “Bolaji disappointed me greatly. I saw him as a monk. The life of a monk is the same as that of a priest. They do not tolerate corruption; they live a life of chastity and celibacy. These traits make them to be incorruptible. I assumed with such traits, Rosiji would take PMAN forward. But my assumptions were false. He was always coming around, wanting to help. I assumed he was going to do better than me when he gets into the position. I went all the way to campaign for him. I later found out that he had none of those traits; they were mere façade. I was devastated. I made a lot of enemies because of Rosiji. A lot of people wanted my head. I have realised that I made a mistake.”

Since his tenure had come and gone, why meddle with another person’s regime?

“What do I really have to gain in PMAN. It is not as if I am being paid or anything. I am not looking for ways to expand my business. But then, because of the emotional attachment I have for the association, I cannot turn my back and watch it go bad. I tell you, I was not sleeping. In fact, every night, I was getting complaints and text messages. Many past presidents turned their backs on the affairs of PMAN. I am not that kind of president. That was why I had to come to their rescue when they asked for it.”

Is he categorically saying he was the one that removed Rosiji as PMAN president? Spectacles asked.
“I don’t have that kind of power. But if he says I am the one that removed him, I like that idea.

The first Vice-President of PMAN, George Dureke, claimed that Rosiji was not running PMAN transparently.
“He claimed he was doing a lot for PMAN, but we found out that all he was doing was for his Foundation, Guranga Foundation. I tell you, Bolaji ran PMAN aground. When he was called to order, instead of him to apologise and answer the query given to him, he chose to resign and he is now blaming Charly Boy. Nobody knew Bolaji before Charly Boy put him there.”

He went ahead to say the association lost a lot of deals due to Rosiji’s lackadaisical attitude.

A lot of people may think Dureke was against Rosiji so that he would be kicked out and he, (Dureke) will take up the position as President.

But he disclosed that he is not, in any way, ready to take up the position

“I am happy as the first Vice-president and I will remain so. I am getting the work done from this position. I don’t want to take Rosiji’s position. I am not interested. In fact, there is going to be a by-election where interested parties should contest. I don’t want to be president, I say it again.”

Interestingly, Dureke says he wants the two factions of PMAN to become one. He is going to make a move to see that Dele Abiodun comes back to PMAN.

“I want to resolve this problem. I have spoken to him. I wish he comes back and contest the position that is open.”
But Dele Abiodun told Spectacles he never left PMAN, and that he was still a part of the association.

But regarding the reconciliatory moves, Abiodun said he would wait till March 29, when judgment will be delivered in the case between the two factions, before making any move.

“Rosiji should have waited for the judgment to be delivered before resigning. You cannot start a war and abandon it half way; I think it is wrong. They took me to court; I have been a law-abiding citizen. It would be foolish of me to abandon the case now.”

Home. Whatever that means.

2007-02-12T22:01:00.000Z

I'm sitting in my house in the UK. Yes, we made it back, in the correct amount of pieces as well. Lots of news, all my friends seemed to have shacked up with someone in the meantime, not that I mind of course, all you lovely people. Was very desoriented yesterday but got some sleep and was fine today, got the car started with a bit of help from a friend, went first to my old job to say hi to people there, then to Oxford to have a loooooong chat with my spiritual mentor, which was very very relaxed and nice. Told him about my plans for the near future, which include going back to Nigeria (call me crazy) and he thought it sounded very good, so let's see. Also went to see some other friends in Oxford, got myself my old mobile number back, and did a few other bits and bobs... and now I will sleep in my own guest room, my friends.

All is good.

Country roooooads, take me hooome...

2007-02-06T16:39:00.000Z

Yes, home stretch now, just another few days to go.

Some things that happened are: My boss has thrown in the towel as PMAN president, which means I am now looking for something else for my whole life to be about, thank you very much. By the grace of God (come on, I've spent 3 months in God-fearing Nigeria, I'm allowed to do this) our return ticket is booked and ready for Sunday.

Not looking forward to the cold, particularly.

Assorted pics... if it works

2007-01-10T16:40:00.000Z

Some assorted pics. This is a gallery hotel called Bogobiri where we went for a Spoken Words event a few days ago. And a pic of me with a slightly changed look.

May you live in interesting times.

2006-12-26T17:25:00.000Z

Now it’s really been ages since I logged on last. There have been interesting developments (interesting in the sense of the famous Chinese curse) but we are clearly still here. Christmas Eve was really nice, not too much of an overpowering Christmas mood here (neither sentimental nor commercial), the only reason for people here to go a little bit funny is that Christmas is the main holiday period of the year (because it’s Summer all the time anyways). So we had a nice Christmas dinner with my boss’ family, to which I very reluctantly let myself be invited, but it’s not as strictly family related as it would be in the UK.

And Christmas Day was spent at the beach, with most of the ppl from our compound. My son didn’t want to come out of the water even though the waves were really powerful… and I and a Polish guy who is currently in Lagos on his tour of hitchhiking through Africa just had to show off and crossed the waves to have a proper swim in the ocean, admired by everyone, cause Lagosians don’t know how to swim, strangely enough.

Day before we went to a big gig at the Eko Hotel, some TV station’s anniversary, ended up meeting some big names again and all that. The afterparty was cool though, danced like crazy for the first time since coming back to Lagos. Proper dance floor madness until 4am. Of course no pics since my small camera was pinched again, which was a bit upsetting, but then I read in the papers that Akon at his gig a few days before had his belt and wallet etc pinched as well, after which he stormed off the stage and the gig was finished. I’m glad I didn’t go there like I had wanted to. But yeah it does feel good that it even happens to celebs like him.

Right now our gunslinger mobile policeman is driving me to the Sheraton so I can escape the holiday boredom for a bit. Haha… just as I mention gunslinging, he jumps out and shakes his gun at a passing truck, while buying petrol on the black market, cause there is none at the petrol stations… these people are nuts. He’s good though, yesterday at the beach he did nothing but peacemaking.

The last few days at work have been fun, I do have pics from that, cause I finally got my beautiful dual lens Sony Alpha camera. And omg what a piece of equipment. My job is going to change slightly, now that I’ve had a look around I think I’ll be better in PR, cause I’m too opinionated to be a PA really. Again, it’s never clear how much longer things will work out here, everything is slightly volatile, with the elections coming up early next year…

My son is doing well here though, he’s come out of his shell a lot, at the family Christmas do he was mingling and shaking hands like a pro, I was so proud of him. He went horseback riding on the beach yesterday, without me, only with the guide sitting behind him.

What else? I’m homesick… we saw some great houses in Victoria Garden City, some new development near the beach on Victoria Island, and I found myself thinking yeah I wouldn’t mind that house near the beach where I grew up… Still enjoying Lagos a lot but am really hoping we can make it back home soon.

Yesterday was Portrait Day

2006-12-14T09:46:00.000Z

Just a quickie as I'm sat in a hotel in Abuja and they have you pay by the hour (for a crappy connection too!) Just had a cup of very nice tea for breakfast at a little cafe next to the hotel, with some mobile policemen and some other ppl, because clearly, when in Rome... Have also been on a two hour morning walk, enjoying the freedom of the capital, because you clearly can't do this sort of thing in Lagos. You wouldn't want to either.

So I was at the headquarters of PMAN yesterday, and our events photographer showed my assistant Njideka a pic he had taken of her at her desk. I said I can do better. Here is the result... her reaction was fun, she was shouting am I really that beautiful? I said no you're actually a lot more beautiful but I'm a crap photographer. Should definitely practice doing this more often, I mean the musicians are used to being photographed all the time, but the people around them are great fun too.

Earlier this week, Monday night, we went to a wake, one of the executives of PMAN Lagos had died, and it was a beautiful celebration. The feeling is different here in Africa, nobody shows a single tear, it's more of a celebration of the person's life than an occasion to mourn their passing away. And in this case, because it's PMAN which is one big family, all the musicians were there and it ended up being a big party. The next morning we went to some far off place for the burial which was a whole different story.

Tonight we're all going to the gala night for Abuja @ 30, there should be more pics, but I'm not promising anything! Other pics from the last few days are

Another bunch of things that happened in the meantime

2006-12-02T18:35:00.000Z

Here we are again, sitting at the Sheraton on a quiet Sat night, updating everyone on how we are doing. Last time I posted I think was Tuesday? So things have been moving on a bit, we're still doing well, at the school they have figured out that J needs help with the language (even though he is academically level with the kids that are a year older than him so that's fine). This is the swimming pool at his school where he swims three times a week now and he is getting very very good. We're still staying in the same compound, very comfortable with nice freshly cooked veggie food every night from the restaurant in the same compound. Where J is having breakfast here... clearly not happy to be photographed but you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes :)

I do apologise for being slightly spaced out, but it's been a tough week, for most of the week I have no pics to prove it but we have been doing a lot of things. Mostly at the PMAN office but yesterday was World Aids Day so we did a rally from the PMAN headquarters to the Lagos State Governors office, the Governor himself didn't meet with us but the Special Assistant to Governor on HIV/AIDS, Dr Remi Desalu, had a nice big long meeting with us and it was really useful. So we'll know next time we'll send in a proposition it'll reach the right people :) During the course of the rally I also did some yellow bus conducting (complete with hanging on the outside while holding on with one hand) and ocada riding (that's those motorcycle taxis I never thought I'd get on the back of cause the passengers never seem to hold on to anything... could never figure out how they manage to stay on but it's not actually that bad!) Of course I was behind the camera so have no pics of all that, but it was all over the news, so if you're lucky enough to receive Nigerian TV stations, you might have seen us... There's me amongst the PMAN ppl and Dr Desalu. Think you can find me?? lol

What else... oh yeah then in the evening we were supposed to maybe go swimming or do something else relaxing but at 7 we had a call from Yemisi Ransome Kuti, asking where we were, cause there was the Christmas dinner at some club or other! So I got dressed in like 5 seconds, my boss needed slightly longer (men!!) and off we went for an evening of fun. Lots of dancing. I can't even begin to tell you how ridiculous it feels that it's nearly Christmas, cause it's clearly like 35 degrees every day, but hey... I've been seen out with Father Christmas so it must be true!

Had some really nice moments on the dancefloor last night. Still feels like I was meant to be here. But I'll quit before I start waxing lyrical... hope everyone at home is doing well, miss you all!

Yes, still first week - Roadtrip to Ghana

2006-11-27T22:54:00.000Z

Now that was a bit mad... there was the Ghana Ratha Yatra (a Hare Krishna festival that is really a global thing, as well as a very ecstatic occasion with a lot of dancing and stuff; and I had already visited the London and Rijeka ones this year, so I thought this one would be a nice touch). So my boss set heaven and earth in motion to get us there but we couldn't get a Ghana visa for my son cause there was no space in his little passport... so we went by road instead of just flying to Accra.
The route took us through Benin and Togo... always staying quite close to the seaside. Here's a few pics from the road... village life in Benin, The Ocean!! (there were some fishermen at the Togo-Ghana border where we made a stopover to stick our feet into the sea, but they weren't happy to be photographed... and just general madness. Ghana was not my cup of tea at all btw, too much standing around in non-moving traffic... and you'd think Lagos would be worse. But no!

Video shoot at PMAN

2006-11-27T22:31:00.000Z

The video we shot was for a song for the Abuja @ Thirty celebrations (you know, that capital of Nigeria that they built from the ground up cause Lagos just would not work as capital of a modern federal republic). And yeah I'm in it too :s

Now I just have to find my YouTube account details, then I can upload some short bits of video... some people did have moves :) And... you see this last pic? That's that Victor Essiet again. But in the background, on the left, you can see one of the security guards. Now there's somebody to go weak in the knees for... he keeps opening the car door for me as well... hehee

Another random lizard

2006-11-27T22:20:00.000Z

Day three - random lizards and J's new school

2006-11-27T21:53:00.000Z

Somebody saying hi (that's J's foot underneath the breakfast table, and lady lizard after picking up a bit of food). They are so fun these guys! Breakfast is scary sometimes, I try to not be fussy but I have learned that I really should be more picky. My digestion is still getting used to all these new food groups... and all that pepper they are using here!! if I don't stop being unfussy I'll have a hole in the wall of my stomach in no time... oh yeah and here's a pic of the school. It's got a swimming pool!!

Still day two - Victor Essiet's gig

2006-11-27T21:43:00.000Z

I wasn't terribly impressed, but some of the smaller gigs before the main thing were cool. That's Fidelia again and my boss in the middle.

Day two - Abeokuta

2006-11-27T21:29:00.000Z

On the second day we all went to Abeokuta, about two hours drive from Lagos. The king there (one of three big rulers in Nigeria) was celebrating his first anniversary of ascending the throne. Biiiig party - we were welcomed with drums and fun and stuff and things. This is Fidela and me before we went to the palace... and this is the scene at the palace. If you wonder why many people look like they are wearing the same thing - the fabrics are actually designed for the occasion and everyone has their clothes tailored from them. I thought it was a nice touch... Then of course we went to greet the king, which was nice. I must have been the only white person there again but I got more and more used to being the odd one out...

Pictures!!

2006-11-27T21:00:00.000Z

Right... who said they wanted pics?

This is where we are staying in Apapa, Lagos. I've got my nice little Sony camera but no memory stick, and the internal memory is only enough for about 9 pics... so I have a nice little diary saved up by now, a new folder for each batch (software! So amazing.) And since this is the first time I've been able to log in you get a little bit of every day and the rest of the pics will be on flickr.

So anyways, the story so far - Saturday, the day when we arrived in the morning, was spent doing nothing much at all, so we took a few of these pics. This is the ferry port opposite the house. Just in case you thought Lagos = hellhole and all that! And another pic of J in the garden. There's lizards and crabs and things running about there...

Well hello there

2006-10-22T18:32:00.000+01:00

From the Sheraton in Lagos where we are having high level political talks. Obviously not me as I'm just the little PA, sitting here, looking nice, drinking my chapman.

Yesterday was an eventful day, with the full Lagos experience - incredible. Taking a huge amount of pics as well. Anyways my boss is waiting for me so I'll finish this!

See you all laters

Testing testing, one two

2006-10-20T10:03:00.000+01:00

E-mailing from an e-mail account. Still in the UK

Yesterday at the High Commission

2006-10-18T08:34:00.000+01:00

I (nice, timid, angelic me) jumped a queue of (big, scary, loud) Nigerians.

Haha... maybe I'm worried about nothing and they should add a public health warning to my visit to Lagos instead...

2006-10-17T20:00:00.000+01:00

Successfully completed the visa run today. Now my passport comes complete with a shiny new Nigerian visa - really pretentious, we love it.

One of my very worried friends did some background checks for me (thanks babe) and has said that all his friends said my contacts down there checked out so he will stop fussing now.

Am still worried about going but also had some time to myself while on the train to London today, which helped. Sorted out airport lifts and will borrow a camera - still haven't decided on buying one as I really want to get a good one for my charity work as well but can't stomach that sort of expense right now.

Am almost fully packed. One last thing to get is, out of all things, hairpins...