NIGERIA

[MikeMikeMike]

I'm planning to go out to Afica for the next couple of years. Nigeria particularly appeals, but obviously it's not the safest place in the world. Does anyone have any recent experience of the continent, and any advice on what to expect?

[sylvday]

As a disinterested observer, I'm intrigued to know how you can say that you're "planning" to go to Africa, and that Nigera "appeals", when you clearly know so little about Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, that you need to ask AB particioants "what to expect".

[MikeMikeMike]

Ok. Didn't real want to bore everyone with the details. I've just finished my English degree, and I particularly studied Post-colonial literature and esecially African Literature. Most specifically Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta and Ben Okri, who are Nigerian. I want to do a masters in a couple of years when I can afford it, about some aspect of Nigerian literature [not sure what yet... I hope that's ok] but I've become tired of studying it in such a western, analytical, dispassionate way which I feel can't really cope with a totally different viewpoint. Applying Barthes or Western feminism to these authors doesn't get you very far. So I want to go out there and experience it as near to first hand as I can so that I appreciate a little more what I'm talking about. As far as someone whose never been to Africa, I respectfully suggest that I might know quite a bit more than most people who've never been there. When I have been there, I hope to understand a lot more. I want to go alone so that I can't hang around with one of my friends and watch the world still from the outside an not learn very much at all. Which, coward that I am, is a scary prospect. So I thought I'd see if anyone who has been there has anything constructive to say. But thanks for your advice anyway.

[MikeMikeMike]

For anyone who has something helpful to say, I'm aware of the political situation, but some basic practical advice [where to go, where not to go, what to avoid etc] would be really good. thanks.

[Uzoma]

Hi there: I can't particularly say not to go to any places but I would strongly suggest trusting no one or hardly anyone except may be a hotel guide. Be very aware of your surroundings - don't leave your wallet hanging out of your pocket. If you can a walk through Peckham in South East London might give you an idea of what's what. Nigeria's massive - give us an idea of what part you're going to and I might be a little more specific. By the way, if you give the impression that you're a foreigner, it gives the impression that you have a lot of money. The pound is equivalent to about two hundred naira. Be careful.

[beetlebug]

"If you can a walk through Peckham in South East London might give you an idea of what's what" Mike please take no notice of the above statement, I live in Peckham and have never been suffered from any type of crime. It is definateley not anything like Nigeria!