Hey!
Im back. So sorry I could not keep my promise of a diary. It was tight considering I spent only 6 days.
I had fun though. Visited the apartheid museum, gold reef theme park, the art market in Sandton.Mandela square and oh.....those malls. I literarily did not have enough time to finish my shopping!!!!But I guess there'll always be another time.
I left South Africa on the morning of 13th of November (Tuesday) aboard a virgin Nigeria flight headed for Lagos.
Which brings me to the title of this post? Be warned that the following story is the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
As I arrived R.O Thambo airport, I noticed a group of people. I recognized their language as efik, and their dressing (white garment) as that of a popular sect in Calabar. If you dont know this sect already you better ask somebody!
Like I said I only noticed them but thought no further of them as I was looking to go process my tax refund.
Now if you read my last post, you will remember I did mention it was not exactly fantastic service we got aboard virgin Nigeria, but nothing prepared me for what was to come.
About 45 minutes to landing the Oyibo purser announced that we were about to be entertained by the sensational choir of the (something of the something and something) choir. (that’s how the name goes. ask anybody in Calabar)
To my shock and dismay, they started singing "arise and shine for ................ (Their master) is here!!
Say what? I could not believe my ears. If I wanted to listen to a live choir I know where to go plus the fact that I found their wordings quite offensive.
Passengers started murmuring, and then it got louder and louder and louder still. But the choir only increased the tempo!!
After what must have been 5 minutes but seemed much more, I think the crew got the gist and made another announcement "we have now commenced our descent into Muritala Mohamed Lagos. Thank you to the sonorous voices of "you know who choir".
It was only this announcement that saved us passengers from live music we did not ask for.
I believe the action of the airline was most unethical and from the faces and comments passed by passengers and Nigerians and non Nigerians alike, most unacceptable and very unbecoming of a national carrier.
It goes without saying of course that ill be joining another airline on my next trip.
Sunday 25 November 2007
Sunday 11 November 2007
South Africa
hi guys.
Indeed i have been so busy trying to see how much work i could get in before my vacation. its been crazy but worth it.
And so it is that I am in south Africa!!!!!
I almost didn't go because of the heightened security risks (Lucky Dube's death amongst other things), but believe me I am happy to be here.
I arrived R.O Tambo airport aboard a virgin Nigeria flight (not impressive for an international flight and of course I told them so!) and my experience here has been revealing to say the least.
Did i hear you say pictures? you know this trip will not be complete without some! just bear with me till I'm able to upload.
At the airport, there were no surprises until we got to a search point were one of the security agents whispered to a friend of mine that his laptop was supposed to have been declared at customs and that since he did not, he was liable to pay a fine. But wait for this, he will let him go for a token!!!!!!!!!!!
The mora f.....ka wanted a bribe.I was so pissed! In fact i was so freaking pissed. it didn't make sense. In short e no make sense at all.
But i could not help but gloat over the fact that this happened in "the" South Africa!! Imagine that was the welcome somebody got.
PEOPLE BRIBERY OCCURS EVERYWHERE.
Nigeria is not in on it alone. But sha their airport is really nice.
Then more surprises.......
i moved to a bureau de change to change some cash and then this guy and this woman (Nigerians) start telling me how i need to go to the loo and hide my passport and cash under my dress cos there are wolves everywhere,that they are looking at me bla bla blaH!
My first instinct was to suspect the informant.So i ignored them.Suffice to say i arrived at my cousins safely,and its been fun all the way.ill try to keep a diary of sorts here.
its almost 2 am here and im online chatting with my sisters in london and lagos and my brother in abuja.
later folks.!!
Indeed i have been so busy trying to see how much work i could get in before my vacation. its been crazy but worth it.
And so it is that I am in south Africa!!!!!
I almost didn't go because of the heightened security risks (Lucky Dube's death amongst other things), but believe me I am happy to be here.
I arrived R.O Tambo airport aboard a virgin Nigeria flight (not impressive for an international flight and of course I told them so!) and my experience here has been revealing to say the least.
Did i hear you say pictures? you know this trip will not be complete without some! just bear with me till I'm able to upload.
At the airport, there were no surprises until we got to a search point were one of the security agents whispered to a friend of mine that his laptop was supposed to have been declared at customs and that since he did not, he was liable to pay a fine. But wait for this, he will let him go for a token!!!!!!!!!!!
The mora f.....ka wanted a bribe.I was so pissed! In fact i was so freaking pissed. it didn't make sense. In short e no make sense at all.
But i could not help but gloat over the fact that this happened in "the" South Africa!! Imagine that was the welcome somebody got.
PEOPLE BRIBERY OCCURS EVERYWHERE.
Nigeria is not in on it alone. But sha their airport is really nice.
Then more surprises.......
i moved to a bureau de change to change some cash and then this guy and this woman (Nigerians) start telling me how i need to go to the loo and hide my passport and cash under my dress cos there are wolves everywhere,that they are looking at me bla bla blaH!
My first instinct was to suspect the informant.So i ignored them.Suffice to say i arrived at my cousins safely,and its been fun all the way.ill try to keep a diary of sorts here.
its almost 2 am here and im online chatting with my sisters in london and lagos and my brother in abuja.
later folks.!!
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