Nike (my colleague and dear friend) convinced one of her dear friends-Ayo-to drive us to Alpha Beach in Lagos. We stocked up on light food and drinks and after a three-hour traffic-struck drive, we reached the Beach. Ah, the sight of water made the drive completely worth it. We ate freshly made suya (barbecued meat), had a short (and uncomfortable) horse back ride, played ball with an orange and dabbled our feet in the water. The torrential rain the day before made the weather perfect for a day at the beach.
What was interesting about the beach was the complete private "management" and seemingly invisible presence of the local government! A few private guys took a entrance fee of 200 Naira per person and then we paid for use of the shack and the chairs. They were again very eagerly waiting us to pay on our exit but we just drove. The horses also were privately owned (purchased at Naira 150,000). The riders would charge Naira 200 for a small ride and also an additional Naira 200 for every picture you took on the horse even with your own camera!
On my prompting, they all shared what they loved and disliked about Nigeria. Interestingly the bad stuff came to mind more easily than the good stuff. The Nigerian spirit, the food, the weather, the clothes were listed under the good things and of course the government and the attitude of the people among the not so good things....
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