Explore. Dream. Discover.: Weekend Recap

Its been a very exciting few days for me,

Sunday.

Sunday was more of a chill day. We had a barbecue on the balcony with the family and hung around the complex most of the day. Later that night, we listened to the choir and the quartet practice for the QBP (Queens Birthday Party) celebration. It was amazing. The Nigerian soccer team also won their first game with their new coach 4-0 against Ethiopia.

Monday.

I set out monday to see more of the city, especially the craft markets. That was quite the experience. The craft markets are in its simplest form, a series of huts with handmade goods from around the continent. As I walked through, I was ushered by the sellers into their huts and shown their goods. The hard part was being told that I was everyones "friend" and that I would get a special price. After a few huts, I began to catch on to certain lines used to persuade you to purchase goods. The astonishing part of the whole experience is that nothing is labeled with a price. Every single item is bargained for. It basically starts off with a price which is completely over the top and you have to bargain your way down to something thats a bit more reasonable. Its a great way to work up your trading skills and after 90 days of being here, I dont think that I will overpay for something ever again. That night we had a reception for the heads of about 30 Nigerian and British Universities and then decided called it a night.

Tuesday.

Tonight was the the party for the QBP. We had about 300+ show up for the event and it was a great time to socialize and make contacts within my studies. One of the best parts of the night was reconnecting with a Nigerian that knew me when I was just 8 weeks old living in Kaduna, Nigeria. We are traveling up north this weekend and I hope to meet with him. I met an assortment of other people tonight ranging from the Moroccan Ambassador to German Military Police. I've also joined up with a contact in the National Democratic Institute to help assist me on my election project. Tomorrow night were having lunch with the heads of some British NGO's so I'm going to use the opportunity to benefit my internship with Wine to Water and hopefully set up some meetings.

Hope all is well in the states-much love to my friends and family!