A Weekend Perspective

I had quite an interesting weekend; it all started when I snuck out of the office a little early to catch a flight. (I sincerely hope my boss never gets to read this)


I rushed home, gathered a few things and hailed a cab to the airport. Any one who knows Abuja knows that going to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport from town can feel like you’re travelling across state lines. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had escaped the insane rush hour traffic and got there in record time. That was the best part of my journey.

Entering the Local airport, I felt like I’d stepped into a war zone. Arms and Legs flailed every where, children cried, men frowned and women sulked. It was everyman for himself as hundreds of people struggled to escape from Abuja for the weekend. Harassed airline staff struggled to keep up with the demands from their customers, a ‘Chiefy looking man’ (you know the type now) yelled “Do you know who I am?” to someone in a uniform, as airport touts ran around the place making copious amounts of money doing dodgy deals.

                                                       
Welcome to Nigerian Airports. The last time I’d been there on a Friday, I’d been among the crowd struggling desperately to secure a ticket. This time around, I’d been smarter and wiser and booked an online ticket in advance. So, I confidently walked up to the counter, checked in and collected my boarding pass. Then off I went to the waiting lounge, where I battled with a major decision for the entire hour I spent waiting to board the plane; to buy ice cream, or not to buy ice cream, that was the question. I considered the fact that I’d just recently placed myself on a healthy eating plan (that’s the hip new word for diet) and eventually common sense prevailed. I’m proud to say I acted like and adult didn’t get the ice cream. Someone please clap for me! *Insert Smiley*

An hour plus later and I have arrived in Las Gidi.

It is my cousins wedding tomorrow and I am on the Bridal Train. I need to get my beauty sleep as I have to be up early the following morning. However, as is usually the case when women get together, I end up staying up half the night first with my Aunts and then with my Mum catching up on all the latest gists and family gossip; Those Krazy Kardashian’s ain’t got nothing on my clan, trust me.

Then its 6am and I have to get up. Thankfully, we got to the church on time. I have to say it was soo much fun getting to see so many of my cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. The Bride looked gorgeous, the guests had a blast, and the food amazingly enough did not taste like rubber chicken and firewood as is usually the case with “Party Rice and Meat”. I guess the caterer didn’t have a choice; her fees cost the equivalent of a brand new car. Kai! Weddings are expensive sha.

I have to say, all in all, it was quite fun, aside from having to employ CIA like tactics to avoid the creepy looking, semi-tipsy guys who go around hitting on bridesmaids at weddings. For some weird reason, like over affectionate aunts and tacky gift bags, they seem to be a fixture at every wedding.

And when I got home and tried to go to sleep and realized I couldn’t because my little cousins wanted to show me their year book and tell me about all their friends at school, I didn’t mind at all. They are so sweet, and who knows when next I’ll get to see them.

The next morning is a blur as I am up by 5:30am and out the door half an hour later to catch my 7:30 am flight which surprisingly boards and takes off exactly on schedule. Again I tried to sleep on the plane but realized that I couldn’t, so decided that I would do so when I got home, but then ended up engaging in random gist with my flat mates. You know the type now, that kind that you walk into and intend to spend just a few minutes, and then you realize its three hours later and you still haven’t changed out of your travel clothes. After taking a short hour long nap, it was off to my friend and H.O.D baby’s’ naming ceremony. I didn’t catch the naming, but I met the reception afterwards.

The Baby is adorable and his name is Emery

Got home around 5pm and started a nap that lasted the whole of one hour till my flat mates woke me up with their screaming by 6pm. Apparently, the Big Brother finale show had started. For some odd reason I still haven’t quite figured out, I really got into all the excitement (even though I never really watched the show). Then it was off to bed and I slept.

For real this time.
Like I said, not a bad weekend at all

*Want to use this opportunity to congratulate my Cousin Nkiru and her brand new husband Femi. Hey! Maybe you guys will end up working in the same hospital and be the next McDreamy and what’s-her-name? (Her’s man’s a Doctor; she’s just completed Nursing School)


On second thoughts, as I recall all the major drama that TV couple went through, I’m thinking, then again maybe not.



Cheers