Natalie in Nigeria: Catch up post

A big delay in posting. I blame work! It has been keeping me so busy, but a lot has happened outside of work too. Here's a bit of a random catch up:

Making friends
I made a friend! We met at yoga. I should point out that I do actually have other friends, my colleagues are great and I hang out with some of them quite a bit outside of work - especially Kingsley who has become a very good friend. But this friend felt like a milestone as it was the first person I had gone through that 'you and I don't know each other at all but are in a similar situation, so would you like to be friends' process with. She is nice. She also lives in an amazing apartment, with a pool and gym, close to my office... bonus! Her apartment is technically a boys quarter, known as a BQ. In most places the BQ is a pretty small room / extension / building at the back of the compound where the house help live. Hers is the fanciest BQ I have ever seen, an open plan duplex apartment... quite something. I haven't invited her to my little place. I'd feel like the poor relation.

The pool and gym behind

We went out for wine and icecream one night and I found a great place to take a selfie... in the ladies loo. Unfortunately the sign was just a little bit to high to actually get the selfie under the sign, but you get the idea.

My Birthday
My birthday was amazing! Kingsley and my work colleagues organised a proper party, with food, a purple and green cake, and a juicer and blender as a present! I was quite choked. David, another colleague also had his birthday in the same week as mine so we cut the cake together - I am laughing especially hard because we did it in the style of cutting a wedding cake!

Elections
The election period was truly fascinating. No one really knew what to expect, but based on the 2011 elections people were worried about violence. We were told to stock up on water and food, and advised to stay home. Travel was also restricted, no cars allowed on the road between 8am and 5pm on polling days, and the office was closed on the Monday that the results were expected. In the end, the results finished coming in on Tuesday but by then it was felt to be calm and safe. I was riveted to the news and twitter feeds throughout the process, and felt truly proud to be living in the country as it unfolded so democratically and peacefully.

Election stockpiling

Including the essentials...

Fruit and veg / food
My blog is rarely complete without pictures of food - here are some fruits, vegetables and meals that have been causing excitement in my life... you know me - I am easily pleased.