The writing on the wall

When out driving or walking in Lagos you see a lot of writing on the walls. Some places you see "This property is not for sale", other places you se adverts for plumber or electricians just by the words "Fix your plumbing" followed by a cell phone number. Other places you are informed of events going to happen. But the writing on this blue gate confused me. If the property has been taken by the court order - this should not be of interest for everyone. I would guess that creditors, former owner and potential new owner should be informed. But the rest of us? Why not send a letter to the involved parties?

Another common text is "Do not urinate here". That is written on many walls in this town. First I found this rather peculiar - but after seen where and how many people are urinating along walk ways, not hiding away at all - I would prefere it if someone put up some facilities and wrote "Please - Urinate here!".

Fences, gates and walls of Lagos

Lately I have been walking to the office. It is only 5 kilometers, but the walk is nice in the morning, still a bit to warm when it's time to go home. In Lagos I have noticed that everything is fenced in. Mostly different brick or concrete walls are surrounding the compounds and villas of Ikoyi and Victoria Island. And the are not very friendly or inviting - it is a clear message to keep out.

Different methods are used to keep visitors away. At home some places I have noticed a sign stating that unwanted visitors are not welcome. I immidiately feel unwanted and go somewhere else. May be signs does nor work here in Lagos?

Well, to day I took Sofie's small camera with me when I went to work. Example number 1 - of not very friendly walls. A spiral of barbed wire are attached to the top of a rather tall wall. Well, I do not want to try to get over the wall for sure. Barbed wires are used a lot, but often they are stretched out in neat rows, 3 - 5 under each other. I guess it is harder to cut when it is not streched out and lined up.

Exampel number 2 is more used, and probably a much cheaper way of preventing someone climbing over your wall. Pieces of bottles, smashed and worked into the concrete.

Example 3: is rusty iron spikes on top of a tall wall. And they had a very uneven surface as well. So it is definately not something you would like to hold on to.

And it is not only the walls that are protected - this gate has an uneven zig zag of triangles on top to prevent a climb-over.

The winner - metall spikes in several directions attached to the wall. In addition I could hear som rather large dogs( according to the barking I assume the are large - no high pitched barking there) on the inside. I must admit - that this wall would be the one I had chosen if I wanted to bring a tadder and climb up and take a look at what was on the inside. But I will not do it - out of respect for our company's security guys. But when someone goes to this steps to keep people away - then I get curious - away from what?

Safari in Welgevonden-Waterberg

We arrived at the Clearwater lodges 28.12.2008. We spent two days at the Kudu lodge and three days at Thsethsepi lodge. Two good but different lodges. The Kudu lodge were on a large open savanne where Zebras, wildebeest and warthogs were plenty, and were we saw elephants and a jackal. The Thsethsepi lodge were at a stream with lots of shrubs and threes and we experienced baboons and monkeys and klippspringers.

We have been in Madikwe last year, but this was a different experience since the landscape were so different. In Waterberg there were mountains and valleys, and we never knew what would be around the next bend.



For us it was a lot to learn. Neither Olav or I knew how good elephants were at walking in the mountains. At one occacion the ranger stopped his car and sain elephants. We all looked to some trees close by believing that they were hiding there. Instead they were above us, almost at the top of the mountain, a big herd. We could see them moving around, we heard them breaking down threes and saw some of them climbing upwards with ease.

Ever since I was a girl I have wanted to see a dassie. I read about them on some animal-cards I used to collect. And I was facinated by the idea that these small animals were the closest relatives of the elephant! So last year we went looking for dassies on Table mountain were it is said that they were easy to spt. When we did not spot any we were told it was because we were there on such a cold day. The same happened this year so I had given up the hope of seeing one. Then one evening on our way home from a game drive I saw something cat sized move on a cliff. The ranger reversed the car and then I saw this big Guineapig shaped animal that moved around on the rocks! It was a Dassie. And then we all saw more of them. I still can not believe that they are at all related to the elephant. But they were fun to watch, they were active and moved around and seemed to have a good time.

Christmas vacation

Since we are living in Africa - our choices for Christmas would be going home to Norway and celebrate the Christmas there - or going somewhere else and celebrate the Christmas. We decided to go to South Africa. We were there last year with our three daughters and our son-in-law and had a good time. So this year we went only the three of us, Olav, Monica and Sofie.

We started out in Cape Town. The two Oceans Aquarium were great for Sofie, and we spent our first afternoon there. She enjoyed taking me to the aquarium were Olav took her last year. So she showed me all the things she enjoyed last year, and found some new exhibition, or alternatively, some she had forgotten. Small colourful fish is still much more interesting than the predators. Starfish you can hold and colourful creatures are on the top of her list.



The 23. we went to Kirstenbosch botanical garden and enjoyed the weather, the smells, the view and the plants. A great place were I would like to return and take a closer look at all the parts of the garden we did not visit this time. We spent our time in the medicin garden and the herb section as well as taking a walk around the garden looking at the pond, and the threes.

Lunch we spent at Bertha's in Simonstown. The food were good but service was very slow..... Sofie had been looking forward to a visit to Scratch Patch in Simonstown, and begged for the biggest plastic bag to fill with beautiful rocks or "gems" when we got there. She enjoyed filling up the bag, and spent close to two hours there doing so. i guess when there are soooo many rocks, you take a longer time than if there were fewer.

Then we drove north towards Kalk Bay and had a nice stroll there enjoying the small town before we went back to our hotel.

Since we were away for Christmas we had opened the Christmas gifts just before we left, and agreed that while on vacation we would get one gift each. Olav and Sofie had bought me a picnic backpack for Christmas, and now they wanted me to open the gift before Christmas so we could go on a Picnic. I did, and the hotel prepared a lovely picnic meal for us and we went to Table Mountain. The weather had changed a bit - and it was cold at the top of table Mountain. Young Sofie insisted on us enjoying a picnic outside, on the mountain, instead of going to the restaurant. So we tried to find a small corner with some shelter for the wind were we ate our food and had some orange juice. Olav had a bottle of wine with him, but it was so cold that none of us wanted a glass of wine with the food. But again the weather changed and we went for a walk. Sofie were eager and wanted a long walk. Not at all a bad way to spend the day before Christmas.

Christmas eve we spent at restaurant called Hildebrand. It was at the waterfront, easy to find. We had good food and wine and a good service from experienced waiters. A place to recommend for sure.

From Cape Town we went to Franshhoek. There were so many wineries and top restaurants in that little town, that it made it very difficult to choose were to go! 8 out of the top ten restaurants in South Africa is in Franschhoek! Well, we had a lovely time, and walkingdistance to everything - even if the locals told us that it was to far to walk.

Christmas season

I do remember from when we lived in Texas that Christamas started a bit earlier than in Norway, and that is also the fact here in Nigeria. I was away a week in November and when I returned tha office builing were decorated both inside and outside to bring some Christmas feelings.

In roundabouts, otside and inside shopping centers, at the entrance to our compund, everywhere you find Christmas trees, Santa Claus with or without reindeer.

Coca Cola has adapted their Santa Claus to local conditions, the Afro Santa. Sofie were a bit confused of this in the beginning when she first noted the advertisements. Then she has been giving it some thoughts and came to the conclusion that the population in Africa is so big, and the climate so warm, that the ols Santa on the North Pole can not take on the responsibilities for all the continents in the world, so probably there is a Chinese Santa and an Indian Santa as well.

We were out looking for local produced Christmas decorations, and managed to find a few little men and women in traditional clothes to hang on a tree. But most Christmas decoration is imported (from China! of course). And in one of the local malls we found a poster stated that upstairs they were selling Christmas decorations from Ikea. I had to take a look. And the prices!!! there must be some heavy tolls on those decorations - they were at least double the price of what I would pay in Stavanger. But Sofie really needed some Christmas stuff in the flat. so I ended up with a few candle holders and candles.

Gone fishing

While Marte were here, and Sofie had half a day off from school I took them to the beach to enjoy the day off. Sofie brought two of her friendds, Axi and Ofer. The kids played in the pool, argued a little, ate some food and had a great time.

Then the action started. The local fishers were working to get their net ashore. That was interesting and the kids took off to watch, and then to help. It was hard work, pulling the rope inch by inch when the net was several hundred meters out in the ocean. And it took quit a while before the first part of the net came close to shore.

Marte and Axi were the two most dedicated helpers, Sofie and Ofer tired of the fishing before the net came ashore - their interest were 15 minutes and then back to the pool. Marte and Axi kept pulling the rope until the net came. Then more experienced hands were needed

Men went into the water to secure the catch, and the enthusiasm were visible when this fish were carried ashore. That could provide needed money for the community.
When the net were all on the shore the women picked fish form the net and the fish were divided between the different families. On the picture you see Axi and Marte picking sardines from the beach.

The mistery of the missing Munchies

Sofie's class at school had a performance just before Thanksgiving. the children had practised and costumes were made. The families were told to bring food to share. Sofie chose a taco dish and were very proud when it arrived at school.

Marte was visiting from Norway, and came to school to see her sister play. We had some excitement in the car going there - Lagos traffic is unpredictable - and sudddenly there were absolutely no movement from the cars in 10 minutes. I visualised my poor daughter performing with no parents present! But suddenly traffic started to move again and we made in just in time.

Their teacher had arranged the classroom with a stage, with small chairs for the fellow students from the same grade level at school, a decorated thanksgiving table and chairs for the parents. A curtain were covering the scene.

Only one or two of the boys had a sudden stage fright blocking their memory for all lines, and were helped by the teachers. The rest of the students did fine! And they were so cute. That teacher for sure has the ability to bring out the best in the children.