"Ride"

Earlier this week I was asked by a senior executive at E's company to show a potentially new expat couple around Lagos. They are here on what we call the "looksee" visit; the employee hasn't accepted the position yet and they are basically here to check out life in Lagos. This is different than the Preview Visit we made last February; we were already locked in and essentially coming over to inspect the housing, interview at the kids' school and meet E's team. The Company reached out to me in part because of my new volunteer gig but also because my friend Diane, who is the usual go-to for the "cool city tour" (and totally sold me on Lagos) was busy and suggested I fill in for her. 

Obviously, I am flattered. I am flattered that anyone would think that after 6 months (2 of which were spent elsewhere)  I have any clue as to where to take someone consider moving to Lagos - and successfully sell them on it! Yes, I embrace this life and do my best to find the silver lining in what many people think might be a miserable existence. But that is me. That is how I operate. I see a pile of trash on the street and think, "I'll blog this and discuss the environmental impacts of an overpopulated metropolis!" If I see a naked baby playing with a bucket, I realize she actually has a village of parents within arm's reach; they just happen to run a make-shift car wash. If I see graffiti on a building advertising a plumber, I think, "well at least he is making good use of his vandalism instead of cursing". I just choose to see things differently here. If I don't, I will lay awake at night wondering how to get that naked baby some clothes - and every impoverished child I see.

I don't know much about the couple that is visiting, which is unfortunate. If someone told me they had done four expat assignments before this, then I would have a very specific type of tour in mind - health clubs, social clubs, the beach houses, charitable organizations. We could sit in one of the many high-end restaurants and talk through what lagos is like, compare and contrast it to prior assignments especially since at least one may have been a "hardship" assignment. A short tour and a cool art gallery and all would be well. But if this is their first assignment, their first time living outside their home country (which I'm not sure is the US)? Then I seriously have my work cut out for me!

In the spirit of research, I decided to investigate some parts of Lagos that I know have a lot to offer but I haven't had time to explore for myself. Once you find your routine, it's very easy to stick to the routes you know and can rely on. If this is their first assignment, then it's not entirely lame to show someone where you grocery shop, leave your dry cleaning, get your hair done. At least you are showing them that they don't have to leave normal life behind. But I'm sure they don't want the 10 cent tour either (or the 2 kobo tour for that matter - har har!). I just want to show them there is more to Lagos than searching for your favorite salsa.

When Diane took me on my tour (well her tour), she brought me to some amazing art galleries and shops that promoted local artists. I plan to hit a few of Diane's favorite spots but also some gems I found on my little adventure - a high-end gift shop that has couture gowns and a champagne/coffee bar, a gorgeous little patio restaurant with outdoor seating (on grass!) and a coffee bar that also sells their own beans, and our latest escape - a resort style pool club set against the lagoon.

I think the hardest part is dealing with the time in between. You really can't walk anywhere in the city. Parking can be difficult and even the nicest places have horrible curb appeal. (I often think some of my favorite shops have closed down until I open the front door). When I made my list of places worth showing a visitor, there were a surprising number of cool spots. Unfortunately you just can't see them all in one afternoon. Traffic is always an issue and many of the streets are in a constant state of repair which makes one 'road weary' all too soon. 

You have to go out and go out frequently, always looking and exploring. Hopefully my leg work will pay off and my guests can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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