The Rotarians who met us are extremely friendly and open. They appear genuinely happy to see us visit their country and see what they have accomplished.
The traffic is frantic. 4-5 lanes wide on a two lane road. Much "chicken" played to get in and out of lanes. Took 1 ½ hours to go 20 miles to the hotel. Seems Nigeria is moving faster yet everything seems somehow under control by those who live here.
Lots of small shops and sales stalls – these are different from India as not only fruit, vegetables and spices but also furniture, auto parts, and many more material things are sold.
Crazy how “hawkers” stand between cars or on the side of the road selling everything from newspapers, pop, water, dried banana or plantain, nuts, Nigeria dress, bread etc.
Large piles of garbage in some places with people picking through for items of value for resale or to be used for other things.
Derek says he see tremendous improvements and change since 2005. The roads are in better condition and there is an effort to beautify some areas.
Monday, May 25, 2009
How we got to Nigeria (Flights)
MAY 13, 2009 (WEDNESDAY)
And so it begins – departed St. John’s on AC651 at 0935. Agent noticed a problem and said he could not check my bags through to Lagos. Also said he would join my return flights from St. John’s to Halifax with the remainder of the trip so there is a single file.
At Halifax met my cousin Diane for lunch. Returned to the airport to meet the other team members just arriving. As they were checking in, an agent suggested I check to see if the gate agent could pull my luggage and check it all they way through. She did.
1755 Departed AC667 for Montreal. We grabbed some supper at the airport. Not much time between flights.
1950 Departed AC870 for Paris. Sat with Eric, Angie and their 15 month old daughter Skyla. Her parents are from Romania & Crete. He is originally from Paris but works in Montreal in 3D graphic arts. Taking their daughter home to meet his family.
MAY 14, 2009 (THURSDAY)
Short stop in Paris to go from Terminal 2A to 2C, the last stop. We had little time as we had to wait a long time for the bus and had to clear security again.
1110 Departed AF854 for Lagos. Sat with a lady from New York going to Lagos for two weeks with her 17 month old daughter (born on Christmas Day). Slept on and off. Flight was 4720 km or 2928 miles and took a little more than 7 hours – arrival 1620 Lagos time.
At Lagos Airport we were stopped and asked for Yellow Fever Certificates. Derek did the talking – could not find mine – later it was in my luggage. We all got through. We were met outside the Immigration and Customs are by Somo Omoniyi and his group. The vehicles used to take us are pretty upscale.
And so it begins – departed St. John’s on AC651 at 0935. Agent noticed a problem and said he could not check my bags through to Lagos. Also said he would join my return flights from St. John’s to Halifax with the remainder of the trip so there is a single file.
At Halifax met my cousin Diane for lunch. Returned to the airport to meet the other team members just arriving. As they were checking in, an agent suggested I check to see if the gate agent could pull my luggage and check it all they way through. She did.
1755 Departed AC667 for Montreal. We grabbed some supper at the airport. Not much time between flights.
1950 Departed AC870 for Paris. Sat with Eric, Angie and their 15 month old daughter Skyla. Her parents are from Romania & Crete. He is originally from Paris but works in Montreal in 3D graphic arts. Taking their daughter home to meet his family.
MAY 14, 2009 (THURSDAY)
Short stop in Paris to go from Terminal 2A to 2C, the last stop. We had little time as we had to wait a long time for the bus and had to clear security again.
1110 Departed AF854 for Lagos. Sat with a lady from New York going to Lagos for two weeks with her 17 month old daughter (born on Christmas Day). Slept on and off. Flight was 4720 km or 2928 miles and took a little more than 7 hours – arrival 1620 Lagos time.
At Lagos Airport we were stopped and asked for Yellow Fever Certificates. Derek did the talking – could not find mine – later it was in my luggage. We all got through. We were met outside the Immigration and Customs are by Somo Omoniyi and his group. The vehicles used to take us are pretty upscale.
Agenda for our Time in Nigeria
May 14, Thursday
1600 (4 pm local time) Arrive at Lagos International Airport
accommodation Americas Best Hotel, Ota, Ogun State, District 9110
May 15, Friday
District Conference & Gala Night
May 16, Saturday
0700 Breakfast Fellowship with RC Ota
Group lunch at Chicken Lovers, Abule-Taylor
Hosts pickup at District Office after lunch
May 17, Sunday
Rest and familiarization with hosts
District welcome dinner Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja
May 18, Monday
Visit Temidire Primary School, Olambe
Lunch and fellowship with RC Ikeja
Visit Rotary Wheel School for “Beggars Children”, Oko Baba Ebute Metta
May 19, Tuesday
Visit Medical Equipment & Bore holes in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ife
Visit Ogun State University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu
May 20, Wednesday
Visit Bore hole project sites in Lagos
Farewell dinner hosted by PDG Juli Adelusi-Adeluyi
May 21, Thursday
Business Meeting with Water and Sanitation Committee
Shopping & Sight seeing
Group lunch, rest and refreshing at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja
1800 (6pm) depart for International Airport
1600 (4 pm local time) Arrive at Lagos International Airport
accommodation Americas Best Hotel, Ota, Ogun State, District 9110
May 15, Friday
District Conference & Gala Night
May 16, Saturday
0700 Breakfast Fellowship with RC Ota
Group lunch at Chicken Lovers, Abule-Taylor
Hosts pickup at District Office after lunch
May 17, Sunday
Rest and familiarization with hosts
District welcome dinner Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja
May 18, Monday
Visit Temidire Primary School, Olambe
Lunch and fellowship with RC Ikeja
Visit Rotary Wheel School for “Beggars Children”, Oko Baba Ebute Metta
May 19, Tuesday
Visit Medical Equipment & Bore holes in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ife
Visit Ogun State University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu
May 20, Wednesday
Visit Bore hole project sites in Lagos
Farewell dinner hosted by PDG Juli Adelusi-Adeluyi
May 21, Thursday
Business Meeting with Water and Sanitation Committee
Shopping & Sight seeing
Group lunch, rest and refreshing at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja
1800 (6pm) depart for International Airport
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