Well, it's been one week plus a day since I arrived here. Why does it feel like I've been here for months? Not that time is dragging by or anything such thing, but it feels like so much has happened since I arrived that it couldn't possibly have been just a week. Given that so much has transpired, I'll try to limit myself to a few anecdotes ...
Getting Settled
This week I moved from the hotel where I was staying to my new apartment. My colleagues were able to find a highly affordable, comfortable, and safe place to stay, which lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. It's not without problems, but the same could be said of a dwelling in Ottawa. In general, the problems are minor and can usually be dealt with swiftly by informing the management. I also learned very quickly the disadvantages of trying to insect proof my apartment on my own. I sprayed insecticide around my door frame only to have an entire colony of ants run for their lives. I felt a combination of horror and extreme guilt. When I closed my eyes to sleep that night, all I could see was ants. So much for my claim to Buddhism. Which brings me to the next point ...
On Religion
Religion is an important part of most Nigerians' lives. One of the first questions people asked me was "what religion are you?" Generally, I tend to respond by saying that "I belong to no religion in particular; however, I most closely associated with Buddhism". It seems to have worked so far. I had thought that religion, or the lack thereof as concerns yours truly, would be a 'problem' (for lack of a better word) for me here, but, to the contrary, I find myself more curious than anything else. I enjoy listening to the Muslim 'call to prayer' (2 to 3 or more times a day while at work), though admittedly some people should not be made responsible for this task (i.e., it's not always 'in tune'). I've also asked a colleague if I could attend church with her some time. From what I overheard one Sunday while at the hotel, it's nothing like the hushed, reserved form of church that I've experienced in the past. Should be interesting.
"Hello, Oyinbo!"
Lastly, I am frequently aware of the fact that I am a white person, something that I didn't tend to think about regularly back home. A couple of times people asked me amusing questions, like "are you Chinese?" or, my personal favorite, "are you Egyptian?", but, for the most part, I am recognized as "oynbo" (pronounced oi-bo) which means 'white person'. At the market the other day someone greeted me "Hello, Oynbo!" I joked with my colleague that I was going to change my name to Oynbo and we had a chuckle.
What does being a white person here mean to me? Well, for starters, it means that I am looked upon as being 'in the money' and, therefore, I tend to get charged more for things like goods at the market and cab rides. As such, I have taken to improving my bargaining skills. Last night we had a hard time finding a cab because they were all asking for 300 Naira (it's not a lot of money in Canadian dollars, but here it's enough to make you want to bargain). We'd say "200!" and then they'd drive off. Eventually I agreed to 250 Naira because I was tired and wanted to go home. This morning, however, I talked a guy down to 230. At one point I exclaimed "do I look rich? because I'm not!" The truth is I am probably 'rich' by Nigerian standards, but, in order to be able to live here for 6 months, I have to be frugal in my expenditures. Generally, I expect to pay a bit more than everyone else, but I won't go down without a fight. It's just not my style, yo.
Well, that's more than enough for now. I've got some work to finish up and then I'm off to the store to buy supplies for the weekend.
I hope everyone, where ever you are, is doing well.
Getting Settled
This week I moved from the hotel where I was staying to my new apartment. My colleagues were able to find a highly affordable, comfortable, and safe place to stay, which lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. It's not without problems, but the same could be said of a dwelling in Ottawa. In general, the problems are minor and can usually be dealt with swiftly by informing the management. I also learned very quickly the disadvantages of trying to insect proof my apartment on my own. I sprayed insecticide around my door frame only to have an entire colony of ants run for their lives. I felt a combination of horror and extreme guilt. When I closed my eyes to sleep that night, all I could see was ants. So much for my claim to Buddhism. Which brings me to the next point ...
On Religion
Religion is an important part of most Nigerians' lives. One of the first questions people asked me was "what religion are you?" Generally, I tend to respond by saying that "I belong to no religion in particular; however, I most closely associated with Buddhism". It seems to have worked so far. I had thought that religion, or the lack thereof as concerns yours truly, would be a 'problem' (for lack of a better word) for me here, but, to the contrary, I find myself more curious than anything else. I enjoy listening to the Muslim 'call to prayer' (2 to 3 or more times a day while at work), though admittedly some people should not be made responsible for this task (i.e., it's not always 'in tune'). I've also asked a colleague if I could attend church with her some time. From what I overheard one Sunday while at the hotel, it's nothing like the hushed, reserved form of church that I've experienced in the past. Should be interesting.
"Hello, Oyinbo!"
Lastly, I am frequently aware of the fact that I am a white person, something that I didn't tend to think about regularly back home. A couple of times people asked me amusing questions, like "are you Chinese?" or, my personal favorite, "are you Egyptian?", but, for the most part, I am recognized as "oynbo" (pronounced oi-bo) which means 'white person'. At the market the other day someone greeted me "Hello, Oynbo!" I joked with my colleague that I was going to change my name to Oynbo and we had a chuckle.
What does being a white person here mean to me? Well, for starters, it means that I am looked upon as being 'in the money' and, therefore, I tend to get charged more for things like goods at the market and cab rides. As such, I have taken to improving my bargaining skills. Last night we had a hard time finding a cab because they were all asking for 300 Naira (it's not a lot of money in Canadian dollars, but here it's enough to make you want to bargain). We'd say "200!" and then they'd drive off. Eventually I agreed to 250 Naira because I was tired and wanted to go home. This morning, however, I talked a guy down to 230. At one point I exclaimed "do I look rich? because I'm not!" The truth is I am probably 'rich' by Nigerian standards, but, in order to be able to live here for 6 months, I have to be frugal in my expenditures. Generally, I expect to pay a bit more than everyone else, but I won't go down without a fight. It's just not my style, yo.
Well, that's more than enough for now. I've got some work to finish up and then I'm off to the store to buy supplies for the weekend.
I hope everyone, where ever you are, is doing well.
1 comment:
love that you've started a blog - can't wait to hear more :)
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