The weekend

I've been learning and doing, but not having enough time between the two of those for a lot of updates.  However, I give you a pictoral review of my weekend in Abuja.

On Saturday I went with a couple others to drive around town.  We looked at neighborhoods, checked out a hill overlooking the city, saw the National Assembly (their Congress), and went into the national church.  We were told that non-Muslims can't visit the national mosque, but I have since heard conflicting reports, so I might check it out.  I learned to play squash, and so far I think it is just a poor imitation of racquetball.

On Sunday I went to an international church and then to a fish market with some people I met.  A whole fish and fries was ~$6, and you eat the fish with your hands.

I also had some very interesting chats with two Zimbabwean coworkers, which I'm sure will be the subject of another post.

Cattle next to the highway between the airport/city.  They range freely next ot the construction equipment and between the settlements.

Misused quotation marks strike again.

Every day is "take your kid to work" day.  This is a common sight.

"Do not urinate here."  Duly noted.

The unique church architecture has the congregation split, with the pastor/choir in between, meaning he will always have his back to half the audience.  Solution?  A rotating stage/pulpit.

Interestingly, the church was built to have A/C, but rather than build in central A/C they built it specifically to use two dozen or so freestanding units.

Fish'n'chips, Nigerian style.  Everything on the plate is finger food.

The fish market.  It is a ring of 20 or so charcoal grills, with people busily grilling away.  Surprisingly, there is no product differentiation -- everyone cooks the same thing (spiced croaker fish).  Each griller has a waiter; the waiter is also tasked with grabbing people as they come into the market in order to claim their business.