Out of touch for a few days

We are off to Andrew’s home village for a while so there will be no news for that time.  Then we go to Abuja but I do not know if I will get to an internet connection.

Pure water and a severe haircut

The commonest way to get drinkable water in Nigeria is to buy a polythene sachet of “pure water” (50 or 60cl). You bite off a corner and gain refreshment by a mixture of sucking and squeezing. For added refinement pour into cup or beaker. As you can see from the picture I am a novice to this process.

In 1999 many people were selling “pure” water which was not properly filtered or sterile. I had to stick with bottled water (SWAN brand). Quality control has improved and there are now many reliable brands of “pure water”. The University of Maiduguri food science dept produces one of them. My picture shows another.

This is another of those small improvements which make me hope for better days for this great country.

The haircut may not be quite such an improvement. Nigerian traders like to give value for money – this is one barber’s interpretation of a “light trim”.

An eventful but safe trip Abuja-Maiduguri

As a result of a damaged tyre needing attention Michael and I left Abuja in a friend’s Mercedes about 5 hours late at around 11.30. Instead of a relaxed day driving and photographed we dashed across country at 120-140 kph.

At twilight between Potiskum and Damaturu we had a big birdstrike which cracked the windscreen in front of my face. Thank God for safety glass.

A wet, wet rainy season

This picture was taken over Niger and shows thick cloud cover at sunset. Even on the Niger/Algeria border in the deep desert there were scattered columns of storm clouds. On the ground in Nigeria there has been some flooding. We drove through a flooded village near Maiduguri. It was only 15 cms on the road but that was raised and people and homes were under a metre and half of water.

Part of the new made Bauchi-Potiskum road had been washed away but the place was well marked. The season started a little late but the rain has been consistent and heavy. The river Alo is in full spate and flooding somewhat. At least the retreat of Lake Chad might be held up or reversed a little.

Photos from 2003

If you like photo’s then check these out (click here) from my visit in 2003.

The bature says hello

10,9,8…… counting down to my next trip to Nigeria. The name of this blog is “Bature” (ba_t0ur_ey) which just means “european man” and is what the children sometimes shout at me when I wander around.