Oh, of course, I agree. It is just that little Ally can't talk.................and she is at the mercy of her caregiver.Quote:
Originally Posted by jenluckenbach
Printable View
Oh, of course, I agree. It is just that little Ally can't talk.................and she is at the mercy of her caregiver.Quote:
Originally Posted by jenluckenbach
ell the one thing I know is that Julie's son was going to the house in Bahrain as a "vacation" I believe at the end of March. This would mean Ally would not have been alone. But with their problem about moving, who knows if this plan really went forward.
I haven't heard a darn thing either... Cheryl was just asking me the same thing, lol.
I honestly am worried about their safety in Nigeria. It's just not a safe place to be. I think the last time I heard from Julie was 2+ weeks ago!! :eek: I wish I knew that they were all ok, and what is happening. I feel so bad for the situation her husband's company has them in. I can't believe that they would send them there, and then close up shop in less than 6 months. Between that, and then the money being stolen, and what wasn't stolen being counterfeited, it just has "DANGER" or "WARNING" written all over it!
Some info and pics of Lagos... This was a photo journal by a person who traveled there. Makoko is an area outside of Lagos, it's the slum area.
Makoko slums and sawmills. Lagos, Nigeria
Makoko slum is seldom visited by anyone from outside. It is dangerous to go in without guides, and volatile. While I was there, there was a major fight between youths over a canoe. Machetes were drawn, there was a lot of shouting but only one man was slightly hurt, cut on the arm. A few youths were later arrested outside the slum. Police seldom if ever go into the slum, which polices itself, defends itself from outsiders and keeps to itself.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...rian/jv17b.jpg
Slums in Makoko
Every house has a canoe. The large ones go out to sea with nets. Smaller ones are used for inshore work. The fish are returned to Makoko where they are smoked
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...sesonwater.jpg
Some scenes of Lagos...
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...lagos_life.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/lagosbus.jpg
A woman with food in a boat in Makoko
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ninboatjpg.jpg
About 25,000 people are thought to live on the water, but no-one really knows. The only real economic activity is fishing and smoking the fish. Some people dig for building sand and process salt.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...n/westlago.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...ctedhouses.jpg
Evicted houses in Badia West, Lagos, Nigeria
Makoko
Many of the houses and canoes are 40 years old or more. You can tell because they are made of huge planks or whole tree trcnks the size of which you would never get today because all Nigeria's big trees have been cut down. Some people say that there was a colony living on the water at Makoko in the 18th century. But old British government documents do not refer to slum houses in the area.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...sandcanoes.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...akokolagos.jpg
Makoko
There are no doctors or health clinics. The nearest hospital is 5km away from most people. The vast majority of people use traditional docters. Malaria is very common, and TB.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...orsclinics.jpg
I'm hoping she's in this area....
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t..._Bay_Lagos.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...port-496-5.jpg
From the guy who took some pics...
Being there on business meant I would have a all expence paid trip to a country few tourist would ever dream of going to. (I would not dare to go as a tourist...) Upon Arrival in Lagos airport we get our first experience of what this country is all about. Although the first passport and visa check was easy to pass, that could not be said about the second obstacle: bagage claim... While standing there for two hours, waiting for our suitcases we had two complete powerfailures (everything went dark, even controltowers etc). Finaly we got out of the airport, on to our coach which would bring us to Eko. We were escorted by two police cars with heavily armed men inside. On our way to our hotel we saw the usual: burned out cars, travel accidents, endless missery as we passed miles of slums only the middle class locals were able to live in.
Eko Hotel, one of only two advisable although not recommendable hotels in this city. (The other one, the Sheraton, being closer to the airport and not so nicely located near a beach.) Eko has all things you would expect from a good hotel, but has lots of African flavours too. (like the bladdering paint on the walls, and the coca cola colored drinking water running from the tabs)
Gotta say, this does not make me want to visit Lagos anytime soon!!
Over the years I have known a few people who spent some time in Nigeria (they worked in O&G). Usually there is a company compound (like Julie has) and they very seldom go outside the gates without security. Unfortunately it is not a safe place for people, especially if you are perceived to have money or access to money.
I also sent Julie and email yesterday but I haven't heard anything back from her yet. If I do, I will make sure to keep everyone posted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jenn_librarian
:eek:
WHY are they there?? :confused:
Who do they work for - what do they DO there?
Certainly wish them the Best - and a Rapid change of station!
;)
/s/ Phred
Well I can answer some of Phred's questions ...
WHY are they there??
They are in Lagos because Julie's husband, Warren, was transferred there last year.
Who do they work for - what do they DO there?
I am not sure who her husband works for, but I do know that he works with the Oil and Gas companies to design and implement computer systems. In the past he worked for SUN systems, so it is obviously the big systems he works on.
They were also given notice a few weeks ago that the company was shutting down in that country. Very last minute. They pulled all their employees out and were leaving Warren there to wrap up the loose ends, and they are supposed to be out of there by the end of the month. What is happening now, I have no idea. They were guaranteed one way tickets to either South Africa or back to Bahrain. Not sure what their decision will be, because I think they were looking into going elsewhere. I know they want to go to Australia in the long run, but don't know if they will get there now or not.
Maybe it's time to trade in the frontier and move back to civilization!Quote:
Originally Posted by emily_the_spoiled
They have 'puters in civilized countries, now.
Austrailia sonds pretty nice to me!
;)
/s/ Phred
I also suggested Canada (I am a little partial :D ). But both Canada and Australia will take time to get the visa's in order, so I think they will stay in the Middle East for a little while longer.
That and I know they need to find the funding to move to either place.
I got an email from Julie. Poor girl, doesn't know if she is coming or going. :( How sad. :(
She asks for an opinion:
It looks like they will end up at the house in Bahrain that is stille theirs for a few months yet, just until a new job can be secured for hubby. They need to be out of the place in Lagos by April 30th. :eek:
The problem is, WHERE will they end up living? Will Ally (and Connor) be able to come with them? Will it be cat-friendly? And if it is Australia or New Zealand then the 6 month "rabies" quarrentine would be required.
She asks, should I send Ally off to Jennie, then when the family is settled both cats can ship off together to be reunited with their family? This would work better IF they need quarentine, as that can be accomplished here (like when Sweet Annie went to England). If she kept Ally with her, and they moved to NZ, Ally would have to spend the quarrentine alone in a cattery. :(
And all this worry on top of WHERE to live? Where will the next pay check come from? Where will he son be able to finish his last year in school?
Please send many thoughts and prayers to Julie's family. They are going to need it.
I would think in his field finding a job should not be a problem.
My thoughts/advise on Ally is send her to Jenn. #1 we know she will be safe
#2 She can stay there for as long as needed. #3 If they have to move around allot they wont have to worry about animals.
It appears that things are very much in termoil with them and not knowing what the immediate or extended future is going to be at least they would have peace of mind that Ally and Conner were taken care of for as long as necessary here in the states.
The best thing is funds are there to send Ally to the states.
Thats my 2 cents :)
I agree 100% with Craftlady.