Nigeria Democracy Days
Tuesday 29th May
Today Nigeria's new president, Yar’Adua was sworn in. The big oil companies were all restricted to their compounds again, but Statoil was more pragmatic and permitted travel provided it was on a route where there were no demonstrations.

I decided to work today, as I had a lot to get get done (and would rather take the holiday another time outside Nigeria!). We had lunch by the pool together and then Inger-Lise went to visit Ståle & Hilde and their boys at Mobil Court. Again, the compound was awash with children and Erik, Daniel and Mathilde had a great time.

Monday 28th May
People were supposed to go on strike today in protest over the rigging of the presidential election. The wind was taken out of their sails by the outgoing president, who made it a national holiday (in addition to the Tuesday). This was great as that way us Expats got the day off too!

After a lazy morning and lunch at GQ, we drove out to Chevron for a children's' party at 1pm, followed by a BBQ with Peter and Paula. The party was for 3 children who are leaving Nigeria and was held in the pool. Chevron were confined to their compound today, so the pool was writhing with children! Someone had brought an inflatable cube which was very popular.


Somehow, Inger-Lise managed to get a nasty cut on her big toe while walking in sandals so she kept her foot up and couldn't go in the pool to cool off.

After the party, we went back to Peter & Paula's house for a BBQ together with Dieter, whose wife Diane had just left to go back to the USA for the summer.

Jeremy