My placement visit...

I got back from my placement visit today, exhausted! Had a great few days in the capital - getting to meet some colleagues in the Abuja CERC and some more VSO staff. Also, and a little more importantly (!) I got to spend time with some serving volunteers which was really great. From bush bars to the British Village, Abuja is a good spot! I also took my first okada (bike) rides which were interesting - a white knuckled, white faced Aine clinging on for dear life! But see, I am becoming more & more Nigerian all the time!

Settling in...

I think I must be beginning to settle in because I am starting to phase out all the noise around me. Nigeria is one noisy place! The cars are especially interesting - at home it is considered aggressive to beep at other drivers, but here it is just conversation! If anyone - driver, pedestrian, goat - appears in their line of vision, a Nigerian driver will honk to say hello - or get the hell out of my way - depending on your attitude to half full/empty glasses...

My accommodation...

I have been a guest of the Doko International Hotel here in Minna for the past week. While it's nice being spoilt (and I am being spoilt!) I am really looking forward to moving into my own accommodation next week. It will be lovely to finally unpack - I'm sure I have some more shampoo/undies/chocolate lurking somewhere in my bags, but I am having difficulty rooting it out!
Before that I'm off to Abuja, the capital city, for my Placement Visit. This is when I get to stay with a serving volunteer, an expert! My host is a Corkman so it should be like home away from home! Looking forward to the break...

Land of 100,000 welcomes...

I have been blown away by th Nigerian welcome! I know the Irish reckon that we are the home of a hundred thousand welcomes but here I am greeted (& welcomed!) that many times each day. The Nigerian people really love to have visitors to their country!

Sannu from Minna...

I'm here - let the adventures begin! After months of planning and talking I have finally arrived! And its great. Everyone has been really welcoming. The Resource Centre is alot bigger than I thought - I will upload some photos when I get organised. The various labs are up and running, but its early days yet for the library. Myself and my fellow librarian will be busy, which is great! Until I find my feet my access to the internet will be limited. but I will bombard you all with info when I sort that out!
Sannu from Minna, its good to be here!

Sannu from Abuja...

I’m here!! See, I didn’t really get cold feet – after all our delays, we arrived Sunday morning. I met the other 11 VSOs at Heathrow and we travelled together – which was really nice. We are in Abuja at the moment doing our training and it has been a little bit of a culture shock! Things are very different here, but I know that I will become used to things quickly so I am writing my own diary accurately knowing someday I will read it back and laugh at myself!

Paddy rules...

My brother, Micheal, is playing Gaelic football for the state of Victoria this week in Brisbane (apparently, it is a real tournament and not just an excuse to get out of Melbourne for a bit!). Black eye aside, Victoria are doing really well and will be playing their semi-final on Saturday. Go n'eiri an bothar leat Micheal, and try not to break anything (or anyone)....

Christmas comes early...

My crazy family brought Christmas forward by a couple of months this year, and we celebrated it on Sunday. Christmas crackers and Christmas pudding were unearthed, and we had turkey & ham, followed by cards & jenga - a proper traditional day... already looking forward to getting home in 14 months for the follow-up!