Where was I

...oh, yes, lest I forget!
Lagos...
Right, picking it right up with lots to tell.
Situation at the apartment more than trying over weekend-powercuts all the time, then one of the main powersupply cables in the compound went up in a wild fireworks with sparks hitting my windows.
Quiet evening by candle light after that with my novel, swapped with my driver Adam who is an avid reader-thankfully.
Then back to Shoprite on Saturday morning for some more decent supplies for the larder. Since I was on my own I had enough time to explore more thouroughly. Found the bathplug which the maintenance man couldn't find anywhere and that's working-if there was water. I am venturing to shower in the morning now by boiling the shit out of the geyser water in the day, then letting it cool down overnight, so at least have pre-boiled for the morning shower, well, if there is water. Have taken to filling a bucket each day, with the addition of lots of Dettol, just in case there isn't any in the morning-so sponge bathing has become the method of neccessity.Need all my bottled water for cooking, drinking etc...
If anyone out there mentions again "Oh, it's not so bad" I think I will kill. It's bad. Okay?
People who say that, have gotten used to the way things are here, is all.
I suspect that I will too. In time.
My word, that supermarket is sooo expensive. Need to be carefull with the funds available.
Which brings me to another story.
I gently and carefully asked Mr. MD if I could pleeeaase have my money for the repatriation expenses back as I was short of funds because of much expenses in SA to even get there-Visa,umteenths trips to the Pretoria embassy, courier, overweight luggage) R 1250 for an extra piece, no matter what the weight-odd). So, anyway, Friday night-a knock on the door at about 9.30, my usual bedtime- the steward Janet with a brown envelope, no name, no note, with a stack of filthy Naira in it. By that time I had forgotten my request.
I sit down and count, convert and it turn out to be the repat allowance promised.
Well-great!
I've never been paid by the maid before...

Bought some mince at Shoprite, although I had been warned to be fair, and proceeded to cook with it on Saturday afternoon. Heed the advice guys-it is atrocious stinking horrendously tasting something-gamey, goatey, whatever.
The rest of my purchases where okay.
Then on Sunday morning, my compatriotes invited me to join them on a trip to Lekki Conservatory, the only little enclave of nature left around here, 78 hectares of untouched swampland, just a few klicks from Lagos on Lekki Island (connected by a bridge to the mainland and the rest of the islands) a boomtown of new developments and headquarters of one of the big oil giants-who incidentally sponsor this little nature reserve.
Sadly, not much to see. One hears a few birds, there are 3 giant tortoises and the last little buck has just been poached for bushmeat. Apparently there are some crocs around...
Sticky hot walk along the figure of eight walk,lots of lianas, some old trees- barely talkes an hour and reminiscent of the swamps in Florida.
Then off to Lekki market. This is a good place to shop for fruit and veg, the little there is-pineapple, mango, paw paw, avo, mini potatoes, red onions, carrots, cabbage is about all the variety one can get, anywhere. The occasional peppers, spring onion, sad coriander, cilantro equally sad. Think I need to publish a cookbook-"100 ways with cabbage" or something like that.
But the saddest thing were the dogs in cages being sold for meat-mainly to the Chinese, I'm told. I had to look away to not burst into tears. Enough of that!
This place has a good curios section which I need to explore again. Lots of stuff from Ghana and other West African countries and nice Batiks from Nigeria. And one or two lion, leopard and other endangered wildlife hides-goddammit!
The rest of the weekend was spent 'doing' the fruit and veg purchased-to get them ready for consumption without getting the screaming shits. Remember that ALL of this is grown in hugely polluted soil-the manure of 15 million people.
Signing off for tonight.
Have some exciting things coming up this week.
Field Society member evening and traditional wedding on Saturday.
I will report.