So, I'm here...

So, I didn't bring my computer with me because I had the impression that no one else would have one and figured I could live without. Turns out everyone has one and it's difficult to find time to use the internet, at least right now. Anyways, I'm here in Jos, Nigeria and it's been kind of a whirlwind experience this past week. I'll try to make this as condensed, yet detailed, as possible!
The plane ride was uneventful; 7 hours is bearable when you've got free movies to watch. Plane food, however, is not a good option and no doubt worse than hospital food. Eat before plane ride- lesson learned! I stayed in a hotel room with the Camiolas for the 12 hr layover. We were all exhausted from the trip and didn't do any sightseeing, which I really didn't mind! The flight from London to Abuja didn't give me much rest either. I was too excited about the fact that I was flying over Africa to sleep! Getting through Nigerian customs was a big "you're not in Kansas anymore" moment. Big guys in military get up just brooding over you would probably have freaked me out had I not been with the Camiolas but they took good care of me. Hey mom- if you want all your daughters married send them here. Five minutes in Nigeria and they'll have a couple marriage offers :) Nigerians are pretty bold and mixed with a lowered respect for women, things can get interesting. It just requires some common sense and a heightened awareness of your own safety.
John was finally able to convince the officers to let us and the luggage through. It seems brown-nosing would've been a good skill to have! They weren't exaggerating when they said the Nigerian culture can be very corrupt in that a lot of people are trying to find ways to scam you. Michael, from SIM, picked us up from the airport at about 5 in the morning. If there's one thing I still haven't not adjusted to, and quite possible won't in the 2 months I'm here, it's the way that people drive here. I thought Lauren Buehler was bad...not even 5 minutes with Michael and I was frantically searching through my bag for the Dramamine. Not only does it make me sick but I was legitimately worried about dying before I even reached Jos. It's like there's no rules. There's really no signs of any sort, no speed limits, and no pedestrian right of way. Nigerians truly have no concept of lines or lanes. To make it worse there are vendors walking between "lanes" trying to sell stuff with cars blowing past them at about 70 mph. Then there are the motorcycles. They go where ever they want- on the road, off the road, swerving between cars- and it seemed like absolute mayhem to me (I got used to it pretty quick and am fairly comfortable now). I wanted to see everything but I decided for my stomach and nerves it would be best to try to sleep a little, and thankfully I did.
I woke up about an hour later looked to my right and there was a Nigerian Officer standing outside my window holdig a rather large gun and peering in. Honestly, it didn't bother me. You see that kind of thing in photos so I knew it might happen but I was thankful I didn't have to talk to them. Also, I was a little surprised at how often they had those type of check points. Seemed like you couldn't go more than 30 minutes without one. Again, something you get used to fairly quickly because it's just a normal part of life. The scenery on the drive itself was beautiful and I wanted to take some pictures. I used what was probably my better judgement and decided not to just incase the guy with the gun didn't like it.
3-4 hours later we arrived in Jos, which was not exactly what I was expecting. It guess I was thinking more rural but it's pretty urban here. There's lots of paved roads, cement buildings, and transportation. Of course, none of it's like was we have back in the US. The potholes that could eat a car, tin roofs, and rusty cars tells you it's a pretty poor area. We went to the Camiolas house first. I was really surprised by how nice it was, Missy did an awesome job decorating the inside. Kind of felt like you were back in the US for a bit. My apartment isn't quite like her house but again, I was shocked. I had indoor plumbing, battery powered lights, and the occasional hot water- hey, it's more than I expected!
I had lunch with a missionary couple and then dinner with the singles at their compound. It was great meeting so many new people but I was so out of it from lack of sleep. I hung out until about 10, just to make an effort to get to know people. Two of the singles walked me across the street to my compound. Security is definitely no joke here. I kind of wished I as living with someone because nighttime here is dead silent, at least where I'm at, to the point where it's a but eerie. I can't even hear bugs outside. Yah, I definitely slept with the lights on for the first two nights. I won't be where I'm at for long though. I should be moving to the singles compound sometime soon which I think will be a better fit for me. Anyways...I'll write more later. I've barely scratched the surface but I have to head to dinner!