1990 - Sam and Sieglind in Kaduna, Nigeria, Africa
3/22/13 - received an eMail from Sieglind with the following. It's been edited to leave out some of our extraneous conversation but everything else is left intact, just as she wrote it.
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SIEGLIND SAYS:
Now to the trip to Nigeria.
After shots, pictures, passports and travel arrangements the trip now grew to include a visit to Switzerland, France and Germany. Two of our sons had the opportunity to travel to Europe with their school class but funds were never available for that; however when this trip came up both boys, Mark and Andrew, were able and available and planned to meet us in France and travel to Switzerland and Germany with us. Mark was in college and Andrew a senior.
Mark knew some Spanish and Andrew, French and I German so together we made a good language team.
We left for Africa via England and arrived in Kano. Alighting from the plane we were greeted with soldiers with rifles (common thing there we guess). Our host soon met us and guided us through the confusion (airport not at all what we were used to) in fact our luggage never made it so forms had to be filled out. The man was having so much trouble that Sam asked if he wanted him to do it and he said yes! We started out in a van and the driver drove with one hand on the wheel and the other on the horn since goats and cows crossed in front of us and motorbikes with all the family and possessions on back were common. Trucks without lights as well so we were thankful to make it there safely. Many beggars (children) asked for handouts. The food was very hot and spicy, although
they actually hired a chef to make some meals for us so that it would not be too hard for us to adjust. In the market place, bartering was a must! Since we were not used to this we had our friend do it. He would say "No no, too much"and walk away and the vender would run after him and offer another price and he would answer with a lower price and we would walk further away until they finally settled on a price... WHEW!
==================
SIEGLIND SAYS:
Now to the trip to Nigeria.
After shots, pictures, passports and travel arrangements the trip now grew to include a visit to Switzerland, France and Germany. Two of our sons had the opportunity to travel to Europe with their school class but funds were never available for that; however when this trip came up both boys, Mark and Andrew, were able and available and planned to meet us in France and travel to Switzerland and Germany with us. Mark was in college and Andrew a senior.
Mark knew some Spanish and Andrew, French and I German so together we made a good language team.
We left for Africa via England and arrived in Kano. Alighting from the plane we were greeted with soldiers with rifles (common thing there we guess). Our host soon met us and guided us through the confusion (airport not at all what we were used to) in fact our luggage never made it so forms had to be filled out. The man was having so much trouble that Sam asked if he wanted him to do it and he said yes! We started out in a van and the driver drove with one hand on the wheel and the other on the horn since goats and cows crossed in front of us and motorbikes with all the family and possessions on back were common. Trucks without lights as well so we were thankful to make it there safely. Many beggars (children) asked for handouts. The food was very hot and spicy, although
they actually hired a chef to make some meals for us so that it would not be too hard for us to adjust. In the market place, bartering was a must! Since we were not used to this we had our friend do it. He would say "No no, too much"and walk away and the vender would run after him and offer another price and he would answer with a lower price and we would walk further away until they finally settled on a price... WHEW!
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