So my year of service with the Nigerian govt has officially started and I was posted to Community Grammar School, Otanile. I'll be teaching JS1 Social Studies and SS1 Government. The school is about 20mins outside Osogbo, the capital of Osun state.

My first week of "teaching" was definitely interesting considering that I've taught absolutely nothing. The students have to clean the school by weeding etc before school starts. I wish I had known this  because I could have stayed at home an extra week. Anyway, we (the corpers) had to supervise the students cleaning and they're naughty as hell. I have to carry a cane around and I've been told that hitting them is the only language they understand. I don't plan to use it but talking to them is like talking to rocks. And their English, goodness. In fairness to them, Yoruba is their first language. Another corper told me to dumb down long words. How am I going to dumb down "constitutional" or "sovereignty?" They even need to learn these terms. But after one whole week of doing nothing, I'm going to start teaching tomorrow. Hopefully, it goes well.

I'm staying in Osogbo with my fabulous friend, Toyosi's family and my commute is about 20 mins. I didn't come with a car for the first week because the shock absorber had to be fixed and I've ridden everything from an okada (motorcycle) to a 5 passenger sedan with 7 people in it even to the back of a pick up truck. I'm used to driving myself around in Lagos so this was definitely different.

Anyway, I have the car now and I drove out there today for the first time but again, something had to dampen my day. Supposedly, I ran the light (it was amber) so the police pulled me over. All my documents were good until they asked for my road worthiness. Now what the hell is that? Apparently, only commercial vehicles need to have that in Lagos so of course, I don't have it. Anyway, they wanted to fine me N10k ($62) but of course, with Nigerian police, there's always a way out. I am ashamed to admit that I had to give them N4k ($25) cause they wouldn't accept less.

Also, I learnt that wearing trousers makes me look "wayward." The VP explained the village is so small and all the women are expected to wear skirts and wrappers. Please! No offense but these people need me more than I need them and there's no way I'm changing my wardrobe to fit in with any village values. Anyway, we reached a compromise. I can wear trousers if I wear blouses that cover my butt.

Other news, big brother Africa has started and I believe they're 35 people divided between 2 houses. Looks like it'll be a good season. I'll try to upload my "village lifestyle" pretty often but I'll say my internet isn't the best.

On the way to the village

The Village

School Sign

School library/bookstore

Students cutting Grass

An empty classroom