IN THE LAP OF LUXURY- CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED!!!

We came back to Port Harcourt on Friday and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Pam was able to get me a suite in the government lodge where she had been staying for several weeks organizing the youth project and workshop. The cook made us omelets and Pam shared a COLD orange juice with me! (We have refrigerators in our rooms and she had stocked hers before leaving for the camp grounds).

There was hot tea (so what it was Lipton and we had to go out and buy Parmalat ever- fresh milk because they only had that can condensed milk). My room has a living room and a bedroom. But most importantly it has a flushing toilet, and a HOT shower!!!!



(The lodge, my new suite! and the view out my door from the third floor)

We ran around Port Harcourt and we fortuitously encountered the Governor of Rivers state, Your Excellency Amechi and Pam’s mentor. He was out walking with his entourage visiting the widow of his good friend who had recently died. He was incredibly gracious and welcomed us to his home/mansion, where we ate a “second” dinner in an all white dining room with marble floor, chandeliers, a gazillion-inch TV and a table that had about 25 place settings. (Our earlier dinner was at a restaurant that caters to expats, the Blue Elephant; very good) Boy, how conditions had improved in just 8 hours!



(Pam and me with the governor and his offices)
We sat around with the Governor quite relaxed discussing the need for more women in politics. His wife, who was also at the table, had just held a rally demanding that women constitute 35% of the seats in government. There was a lot of good natured ribbing and joking between the Governor, his wife and members of his cabinet based on the fact that some prominent woman n the state had been found guilty of stealing the most money ever in Nigeria. (Now that's saying something when it comes to Nigeria!) It was fun and right up my alley and I did my best to support the women’s point of view.

Going off to drink a cold drink from my own frig now :)


Sated, showered and sure nuf grateful,
V