My passport was returned to me in mid-January with a shiny new visa sticker. This one was a re-entry visa, giving me the freedom to come and go from Nigeria. As soon as I had my passport in my hand I booked a flight to go and see my husband and some of my friends.
Getting there was a bit long winded, I had to fly via Lagos and had a long wait in the airport in between flights. This was compounded by the flight being late (with no information or explanation of course) and a heart-stopping moment where I didn't think I would be allowed to board. At that point, time seemed to come to a standstill. I'll come back to that.
Lagos airport was calmer than I had expected, but with most of it being refurbished and closed on a Sunday afternoon, it was a fairly boring wait. I was caught out with having to pay to shuttle between the domestic and international airport (I later found out that the airline offer a free shuttle but this was not apparent or forthcoming at the time) and I stupidly didn't take much naira with me, so I couldn't even eat my way out of boredom!
When the time came to finally board I was suddenly floored by a request to see my entry visa for my destination. As I stammered 'I don't have one, it's visa on arrival' my heart was pounding... I was thinking, 'Have they changed the entry rules? Does it make a difference if I enter from Nigeria? Will I get to see my husband? Oh my god I'm going to be stranded in Lagos with nowhere to stay and no naira!'. I was eventually allowed to get on the plane but it was a pretty worrying experience! Afterwards I wondered if she had been looking for a bribe (which failed as a) I never think to offer a bribe and b) I had no money on me!) but apparently it often happens on that route. The staff see a UK passport and figure that a visa is needed, like it is for Nigeria.
Anyway, two hours late, I arrived at my destination and had a fantastic two weeks. I had chance to spend a lot of quality time with my husband, and see some very good friends. I took some days as annual leave and then worked the rest, but I felt like I had had a good holiday / break, and I must look refreshed or 'fresh' because since I got back taxi drivers keep trying to over charge me!
While away I was warned that my flight back was likely to be delayed. According to my itinerary I was supposed to land in Lagos at 6am and fly to Abuja at 9am. Plenty of time right?! Well, we didn't land until 7:30 and then it took me a while to get through immigration. The staff seemed a bit baffled about my re-entry visa. One guy told me I had to buy him a coke and give him $10 to thank him for letting me through. I happened to have a 100 naira note (about 30p!) with my documents so I jokingly offered him that. He handed it straight back to me, but I suspect he wouldn't have done if it had been a proper amount! By the time I was waiting at the conveyor belt for my bag it was near to 8am and I was seriously doubting that I would make my flight. And then, out of nowhere, a man asked my name and handed me my boarding pass! It turns out there were a few of us doing the transfer, so they rounded us up, shuttled us to the domestic terminal and fast-tracked us through the airport. I made it to my gate just as they called everyone to board!
In all the haste I didn't get chance to arrange my airport pick up, and resigned myself to taking a random taxi from the airport (rather than I driver I knew who would give me a fair price). I texted a work colleague to get an estimate of the price I should pay, but I didn't hear back before I had to switch my phone off. Once in Abuja I exited the airport and started trying to figure out where to get a taxi from, only to spot my office driver holding up a sign and waiting for me! A great surprise and a very nice welcome 'home'.
No comments:
Post a Comment