In Nigeria...

Savored a gin and tonic on the flight to Abuja...Last drop of alcohol
for two weeks! Strong though...
***
Debarked at Abuja and promptly sauntered off in the wrong direction; hit a
wall of people asking for my boarding pass, but all I had was a flimsy
plastic paper labeled 'transit passenger'. They were extremely
skeptical, then realized what I had done, berated me, and finally let
me go.
***
Now writing from Abuja-Kano flight. On the way to Abuja I at next to this perfectly nice, fat Indian woman who insisted on telling to me; asking questions and telling me about her reasonably interesting life. Somehow I'm afraid that it was patently obvious that I couldn't care less...

I'm surprised by how white this flight is -- probably 20-25% percent.
I expected 10%ish...Probably because lots of people from Abuja going
to Amsterdam via Kano.
***
[written on day 2] So I got into the airport and made my way to the
rather dinky passport control. Spotted Rashid from the back of the
heinously long long, and he motioned me to another kaftan (male
robe-like clothing) wearing guy, who jabbered at me very quickly and
tried to whisk me through the passport barriers. An armed guard stoped
us and much shouting commenced. I sat there completely bewhildered as
these two robed strangers argued and gesticulated wildly. Suddenly
everything was cleraed up and I jus twalked past the passport guards,
to the consternation of thelong line (getting a visa was unnecessary,
I guess).

Then my escort disappeared and I was accosted by another guard, who
demanded to know how much money I had on me. I answered evasively and
he dmanded that i give him money to be allowed to take currency into
the country. My unnamed escort (guardian angel?) appears out of
nowhere again, and the issue is resolved.

Outside I met Rashid's dad and his two half-brothers. Everyone was
exceedingly polite. As we got into the 80s mercedes and drove 30
minutes into the city, Rashid explained to me the situation. The main
difficulty is that the house only gets mainline power for 2-3 hours a
day, and they have to run a diesel generator for the rest of the
evening (I can only imagine how expensive it is to power a house on
diesel, including AC although it is older, window-style one).

We had a nice diner, which I will detail tomorrow, and then went to
sleep. I'm staying next to rashid in the guest house. Have to run now,
internet time out. Tomorrow I'll try to write about the food, showers,
and daytime activities...