LAGOS

Day 1: Freedom Park

Ahh! My plane just landed in Lagos! It was quite a long plane ride, but I am very excited to see my parents and start my tour around my city! I will be following a tour guide this week, as he is going to explain the background information behind a few historical locations in Lagos.

On the plane ride over I was thinking about my childhood and all the places me and my brother used to roam when we were out of school and during the summertime. The first place I wanted to head straight to was Freedom Park.

Freedom Park used to be the hangout spot for me and my friends. We used to ride bikes along the many paths and we used to play huge games of tag with all the other children in our community. Coming back to the park, I can tell the city has put a lot of money in it to build it up and make it a lot nicer for the community – it is used for art shows, theater productions and other social events.

A new addition to Freedom Park! This fountain was not here when I was a child.

One thing that I did not know before was that Freedom Park used to be a prison. My tour guide spoke about how Freedom Park used to be the Old Broad Street Prison. When we were under control of the British colony, it was a prison camp for the people of Lagos. Nigeria eventually got too large so the prison shut down and was changed to a park. I am glad it changed because it is the spot that holds some of my dearest memories!

A photo of Old Broad Street Prison. Where Freedom Park now stands.


Day 2: Harbor Cruise

WOW! There is nothing like home and having your parents cook you a homemade meal and sleep in your own bed. I did not realize how much I missed home since being at school in London. I just love school so I think that distracted me from missing home.

Today, I will be hanging out with my parents and to just have a fun filled day! My mother booked a harbor cruise so we could see the beautiful views of Lagos. Lagos is the biggest port city in Nigeria. Some of the most popular exports include, petroleum, cocoa beans and rough wood. My dad mentioned to me that Lagos is the economic heart of Nigeria. The city is expanding greatly. When I traveling from the airport to my house I noticed that there were so many building projects of new apartment buildings and skyscrapers.

Skyline of Lagos. Taken from boat on harbor cruise.

After our harbor cruise, we decided to stop at a local restaurant to get some lunch. As a little boy I loved when my mom made, Suya. It is my favorite food from Lagos, but unfortunately they do not have very good Suya in London, so it has been a few years since I have had it! Suya is made with beef, chiles, spices and peanuts that are on skewers. Below is a picture of the dish I ordered!

Suya and some vegetables.

Day 3: Owambe party and Goodbye Lagos

These past few days in Lagos have been amazing. Learning the history behind my favorite hangout spot as child to seeing the growing city on the water; I received a different snapshot of Lagos I had never gotten the chance to know when I lived there.

When I first got to Lagos, my tour guide said that before we leave to travel to Enugu, our next location, that I must participate in an Owambe party. They are big in Lagos, as many members of the community participate. Men and women dress up in traditional clothing – most top their outfit off with a traditional headpiece as well. The party was so colorful and lively. I had never seen one as a child, but some of my friends families participated in them. The Ibo tribe did not normally take the time to participate in the parties, but Lagos is a melting pot of the many tribes of Nigeria, so while I am here I figured I should see what other tribes traditions are.

Locals dancing and celebrating at the Owambe party in traditional dress.

Owambe parties involve large groups of people dancing until dawn, ubiquitous private buses play loud music on the streets and artists that gather under bridges who showcase their newest pieces. Their pieces often reflect the social and political issues that they face in Nigeria in a creative way.

One piece I found interesting while looking at all the art under the bridges.

It was such a fun night, but I am now up very early because I leave for Enugu in a few hours. I wanted to spend the last few hours here in Lagos saying goodbye to my parents. I will be reporting back soon about my findings in Enugu!