Miles In Missions

Ziploc bags in Nigeria are like gold. We re-use them over and over again. My paned windows in my house are lined with them everyday as this is the best way to dry them. I will never forget my first visit back to the states and the mind battle I had every time I threw away a Ziploc bag.

Our guesthouse recently ran out of the bags. Kemi, our guesthouse manager, went to Abuja for her monthly Shoprite visit. “No ziploc bags!” she reported back. I had a US Embassy appointment in Abuja and was told I could get Ziploc bags at the Wuse Nigerian market. The last thing I wanted to do with the few free hours I had in Abuja, was visit the chaotic Wuse market, but we needed Ziploc bags. On our way to market, we were stopped by Nigerian police. After being threatened, making it half way to the police station and then being let go, they had delayed us an hour! The Ziploc bags were going to have to wait as our US Embassy appointment was nearing. All I want to do is buy some ziploc bags! Why is that so hard? HAHA, becuase you live in Nigeria!

I had to blog this as this is one of the many small things I took for granted in America. I think it is funny at the lengths I have to go to now to find small things that in America you just drive down the road to buy. If you are an expat, I would love to know a few items you took for granted in your home country. Comment below and share with everyone what gold looks like where you live now. For all you Americans reading this blog……the next time you throw away a ziploc bag….think of me 🙂