Gone and Back Again

So. We're back in Ife.

I thought it would take me a little bit to get accustomed to Nigeria again. I am not exaggerating to you when I say that I barely blinked an eye. There was no huge shock. We deal with NEPA (or PHCN as it's called now) just as we've always had. I really don't feel a change. I walk my dog in the morning like I've always had. I go around, goofing off on my laptop, thinking about weird stuff like I've always had here. I wasn't expecting to be like shocked into oblivion like ERMAHGERD WHAT THE POOP IS THIS I MEAN HUHWHUH HUUUUUHH

Okay I'll stop that now.

I think you get what I'm trying to say. It's actually sorta cool. When I get to the States I immediately switch into "America mode". When I'm here in Nigeria? "Nigeria mode". No culture shock, nothing. I guess the problem is that I've been listening to crap from a whole bunch of people, telling me that when I go from Nigeria to America or vice versa I'll suddenly have to learn everything all over again. I'll be a fish outta water, so out there and confused but in a sort of good, happy way. Now that last sentence really doesn't make sense. Whatever! I've got a rule: never edit posts. Just write them how they are and let 'em loose!

Hey, on an unrelated note, I've noticed that there are only like 3 photos in this whole darn blog. Well, that isn't going to do! I've got four years worth of writing on this site, so I'm going to have to explain Nigeria to you guys visually as well. I'll be working on that, but to be honest we don't have a camera at the moment. Actually, the last time we owned a (working) camera was in...2010? 2011? Something like that. Anyway, don't worry! I've got it under control.

Well, Signing off,
The Traveler

We're In America!

Yes!

I'm writing this post in the same room that I wrote my first post three years ago. It sounds crazy when you state it that way. But we are back, in Durham NC. Things are different than what I expected. For example I thought that I would have a tougher time reintegrating into my old life. Fortunately that wasn't the case. Everything seemed to just...click. I instantly just fell into my old ways and everything. It was a piece of cake :) One thing I was not expecting was the drastic change in temperature. Boy was I in for a shock. I must look ridiculous to the neighbors and such, walking around in a jacket while they where t-shirts and shorts. I really don't wanna relive that so why don't we just change the subject. Another thing that I had to get used to was constant electricity and water. In the beginning I was expecting every minute for the lights to go out or the TV  to shut off or something. But surprisingly, it never does. And I'm always staring at my laptop screen, just waiting for that "plugged in, battery full" icon to change to the "unplugged, battery at 56%" message of death. But. It never does. Getting back in touch with friends is so great. I think that has to be my favorite thing about being back in the States. Plus the food! Yeah, that beats all of them. Food is great. I've never told you guys how much I love food. Food is so awesome that I love it so much that--okay, time to change the topic again before we go completely off the subject.

But what are the things I miss? My pets has to be one of the biggest. I miss my dog. I miss my cats. Heck, I even miss Brownie. Luckily we're bringing them to Durham in August so that's cool. But until then, I keep making the mistake of thinking that Shep is gonna come bounding around the corner like a crazy.

It's been too fun to be back. 'Nuff said.

Signing off,
The Traveler

An Edit and an Update

Remember that post I wrote about Lagos undergoing renovation?

It's not only Lagos. I was wrong about that. This is happening all over the country. Even here in Ife. Ife is considered a rural sort of place by most Nigerians. A place where nothing is happening to put it simply. (To be honest, sometimes I agree with them. :P) Even here--though the progress is much slower than in Lagos--I'm starting to see differences than when we first came to Nigeria. In 2009, there was no pizza delivery. Now there is. So what if the pizza tastes like fuel? It's still pizza delivery. In 2009, there was no fiber optic cabling. Guess what? They're lying down the foundations for that right now. Do you see what I mean? It's not blazing fast progress, but it's progress nonetheless. Heck, it's more than what we had back in '09. That's gotta mean something. Besides, Ife is always getting bigger, at a freakishly fast rate. Our city in the States, Durham, has a population of 228,000 sumthin. Ife's population is 372,000. And that's a rough approximation. I think you're starting to see what I'm talking about. Ife is going to become one of the biggest cities in Nigeria in couple of decades. And with a growing middle-class in Nigeria anyway, you're going to need more amenities if you want to avert discontent from the masses. Maybe that's why the government is allowing foreign companies to fill in these spots.

Here's the update part: We're leaving in a week for Durham and my laptop is completely messed up. At first I thought it was my HDD. I was sort of right; it was part of the problem, but I also think that my graphics card could also be going bad due to overheating. Not good news, right? Well, at least I can go and see my friends again back in America! That is going to be too much fun. (Goodness, I wish that I had posted more pictures in the last 3 years! I have to get a camera...)

Signing off,
The Traveller

Sick, sick, sick

Hi,

Since I'll be moving to nigeria with my family I had to get all of the Vaccines. Some of them made me really sick, like these pills I'm taking have made me throw up! I woke up two times feeling like I was going to hurl. At least I know these are the regular side affects for some people. The good thing is that I only have to take only one more pill.

Signing off,
Xplorer

Welcome to Adventure!

Hello,

My name is The Traveler, and i'll be posting my xplorations and adventures right here in the blog called The Xplorer. I've been outside the country about four or five times. I've been to France, London, and Nigeria, and I'm only 11! Don't believe me? I'll post some pictures in my next blog. Anyway, I'm moving to Nigeria, a country in West Africa that has awesome cuisine, amazing cities and very kind people. We'll be moving on October 28, so soon i'll be talking all about Nigeria. More info about Nigeria will be told later in other posts. Until then, signing off.

The Traveler