So we are just back from Lagos! I love saying that to people because it is just one of those statements one so rarely makes in life. Years ago, my sister and her friend had a running list of sayings like that. For some reason the only one I can recall is "Can I put these pink rhinoceros' on my Amex?". Anyway, it is funny saying it and is just indicative of how great our trip was. Everything went smoothly, from the airport pickup to the hotel, to the housing tour and all the amazing people we met. That was truly the highlight of the trip - the people. We met most of Edmund's team and everyone was so hospitable and eager to have us join them in Lagos that I am really looking forward to getting settled and networking with the other expat families and the locals. The most surprising (and reassuring) part of the experience was how wrong my image of Lagos was. Most of my impression was based on what other peoples' impressions were which was clearly fraught with error!
Primarily, we felt safe the entire time - which I know was a huge concern for our families. Yes, there is a large class difference and thousands (literally thousands) of people living and working on the street but at no time were they interested in robbing us. They are just trying to make a living and sell their wares - most of which we would have no need for, but that which many other locals seem to survive on - trading/buying/bartering bread, fruit, gas, generators, parts for generators, newspapers, calling cards, cell phone parts and accessories, everything that can be hawked on the side of the road. Case in point:
On our first day, E had meetings at the office so I asked our driver to take me to some of the larger grocery stores I was told have popped up around Lagos over the past few years (more on the driver and Lagos traffic later!). I hit 3 major spots - "Goodies", an American style grocery store popular with expats, "la Pointe Delicatessen", a little shop featured on a few websites including my fav, Lost in Lagos, and ShopRite which is basically like the grocery store section of a SuperTarget. It was brilliant. They had everything and a lot of it. If anyone could read my writing, I would post a pic of my notes (yes I took notes in the store), but instead here are some highlights:
- Ketchup (Heinz!) mustard, mayonnaise- olive oil types too!
- Coffee/creamers/splenda!
- Jams, jellies, biscuits, teas - what was I thinking? This WAS a British colony. duh.
- Peanut Butter! And Skippy at that!
- Salad dressing (hmm.. well, if we can eat the salad, then bonus!)
- Kids cereal- Crunch Berries! Trix! Knock off version of Trix for way less money!
- Rice, rice, and more rice. Tons of pasta- barilla, common brands
- Spices - and not at black market prices
- Toothpaste, floss, dental rinse - kids versions too!
- Razors, soap, shampoo - Hello... Herbal Essences! Pantene? sweet.
- Candy, chips (pringles!), lots of european chocolates, Kinder Bueno!
- And the one thing someone told me would be hard to come by- toilet paper!
Well, you get the idea. But the real message is that not once did someone bother me or pressure me into buying something or heckle me. I just wandered down the aisles like I do at home, reading ingredients and checking prices. We did visit some traditional open markets that have hand-made goods which of course require some strong negotiating skills but that is no different than any other country I have visited.
Now, am I going to return the 6, 20 oz jars of peanut butter I already have stashed away? the 300 tampons? several costco size boxes of oatmeal, cup o' soup, or ramen noodels? Probably not. But am I going to continue to stress about how to make my kids lunch every day? For the love of Pop Tarts, no.