₦airaland Forum

cococandy:
I think I will do that too when the weather is Warmer. The cold ehn! You can't even touch the soil.
It depends on where one is.

I just traveled to Florida to spend some time with my aunt there and she has bitter leaf, scent leaf et al flourishing in her backyard because of enough sun and good weather enough for others to come pluck too.I'm so jealous.

Collect from her and plant
It saves a lot.
My people hv everything u can think of in their various gardens.

moca:
Collect from her and plant
It saves a lot.
My people hv everything u can think of in their various gardens.

i can't board the flight with life plants. They will discard it for me there

When I go back, I will look for Africans who live around and see if any is growing nigerian special vegetables like bitter leaf and scent leaf.
Instead of eating dried bitter leaf all the time

cococandy:
i can't board the flight with life plants. They will discard it for me there

When I go back, I will look for Africans who live around and see if any is growing nigerian special vegetables like bitter leaf and scent leaf.
Instead of eating dried bitter leaf all the time

Within the US?
Not true
All you need is a stem in your suitcase or hand luggage

Babymama1:
Within the US?
Not true

Oh really? I will try then. I just assumed because those are the general rules.

cococandy:
Oh really? I will try then. I just assumed because those are the general rules.

When coming from overseas yes
Not when you are taking a local flight

Speaking of returning from overseas
If you people see the heart palpitations when I was returning
I had our local foods and checked off on my custom forms that I had some dried local foodstuff
My heart was beating
Come and see dried fish my aunt specially bought for me
Chai
All my foodstuff made it

moca:
I was thinking aloud,
All these Oyinbo people, if u hv backyard or garden, why not look fora stem, or seed of any of these veggies and plant.
Abi no way to get them?
If it's me, that's what I will do.

My dear, it's cold most times of the year.

Also, unlike countries close to the equator, the temperatures over here at the Northern Hemisphere drop drastically at night, so the ground is almost always perpetually cold. Unless you've got a green house, you'll be wasting your time trying to grow tropical fruits and veg over here. Hubby even planted some tomatoes in the back garden. The plant grew okay. Flowered and produced fruit but just sort of died over night even before the fruits matured. So annoying.

That aside, you can't even begin to imagine how much I've fantasized about planing rows of yams in my back graden....

#sigh#

Babymama1:
When coming from overseas yes
Not when you are taking a local flight

ok

Sample
Big big dried fish like this
Don't they look pretty
I returned with about 10 of those


For those in Nigeria,you have no clue how much this costs here

^^ Dried fish?

Expensive stuff over here o!

EfemenaXY:
^^ Dried fish?

Expensive stuff over here o!

I don't even dare buy them here
When I run out I wait till someone visits and usually someone does

Babymama1:
I don't even dare buy them here
When I run out I wait till someone visits and usually someone does

D'you know, the last time we all travelled back home for my sister's wedding, I got this Ghana-must-go bag full of dried fish. It was a medium sized bag and I was worried they'll harass me at both airports.

At the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, customs didn't disturb at all. Infact, their comment was.."see how you lot just came back to enjoy Naija!"

At Heathrow, after declaring what I had, they said it was okay and that we were actually entitled to 20kg's worth of dried fish. Chei! Babymama, the thing pain me o! And all that spare Naira I could have used...

EfemenaXY:
D'you know, the last time we all travelled back home for my sister's wedding, I got this Ghana-must-go bag full of dried fish. It was a medium sized bag and I was worried they'll harass me at both airports.

At the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, customs didn't disturb at all. Infact, their comment was.."see how you lot just came back to enjoy Naija!"

At Heathrow, after declaring what I had, they said it was okay and that we were actually entitled to 20kg's worth of dried fish. Chei! Babymama, the thing pain me o! And all that spare Naira I could have used...

Wow
A GMG bag full
If no be say na village I stay almost throughout I for buy more


As for naija customs hear my story

I had my foodstuff in two suitcases in those black naija heavy duty bags amongst the kids clothes
When they were inspecting the suitcases looking for their heads at murtala the custom man held unto one one suitcase and said " madam this one has foodstuff"
I pretended I didn't hear it
I went to zip iit up like I had done the others he stopped me and placed his hand on my suitcase and repeated the line again
"This one has foodstuff"
And right before me their main madam was counting naira notes under the table handed to her by the lady in front of me
I was tired,hungry and very angry at this point and turned to him and said "and so"-?
"It has foodstuff yes I know" with the loudest voice I could speak in without sounding coo coo,I said " is it illegal to carry my local nigerian foodstuff to America"?
Immediately his voice mellowed because he didn't want the attention
Oh no no no no madam,if is not illegal
I responded thank you,zipped up my suitcase and asked one of the kids to padlock it immediately and I proceeded to check in

I have noticed that the only language those rogues in custom uniform understand is open eye
People should stop giving them money,I don't
Open your eyes wide and raise your voice and see them cower down like wimps
It works everytime
As long as I have no liquid,I will not give them a dime
This bribery thing will not end as long people continue to dole out money to them

cococandy:
i can't board the flight with life plants. They will discard it for me there

When I go back, I will look for Africans who live around and see if any is growing nigerian special vegetables like bitter leaf and scent leaf.
Instead of eating dried bitter leaf all the time

Eewh, no wonder.
My wives in usa practically hv everything.

I fit live for this kain place so?
Lord hv mercy. Cold go kill me o.
(sorry o, meant for efe)

I saw babymama's tomato at her backyard one time. It was cool.

Babymama1:
Wow
A GMG bag full
If no be say na village I stay almost throughout I for buy more


As for naija customs hear my story

I had my foodstuff in two suitcases in those black naija heavy duty bags amongst the kids clothes
When they were inspecting the suitcases looking for their heads at murtala the custom man held unto one one suitcase and said " madam this one has foodstuff)
I pretended I didn't hear it
I went to zip if up like I had done the others he stopped me and repeated the line again
This one has foodstuff
Ad right before me their main madam was counting naira notes under the table handed to her by the lady in front of me
I was tired hungry and very angry at this point and turned to him and said and so?
It has foodstuff yes I know,with the loudest voice I could speak in without sounding coo coo,I said " is it illegal to carry my local nigerian foodstuff to America"?
Immediately his voice mellowed because he didn't want the attention
Oh no no no no madam,if is not illegal
I responded thank you,zipped up my suitcase and asked one if the kids to padlock it immediately and I proceeded to check in

I have noticed that the only language those rogues in custom uniform understand is open eye
People should stop giving them money
Open your eyes wide and raise your voice and see them cower down
It works everytime
As long as I have no liquid,I will not give them a dime

Are you serious?

But if you kick a fuss, don't they tell you: "Oya madam step aside over here and show us your papers in compliance with Food Safety Standards / Agency (or whatever it's called) to show that you meet the required guidlines to travel out of the country with perishable food items?

You know, kind of like when your average toutish policeman / soldier stops you on the highway asking for your particulars. Even if you give them everything, they'll still find fault, so to save your precious time, just pay them jare...

Anyway, I think I was lucky. Maybe because it was the Christmas season? Or maybe because we were a large family unit travelling? Or maybe they just felt embarassed to harass madam at the airport? Dunno jor, but that they were very nice to us.

EfemenaXY:
Are you serious?

But if you kick a fuss, don't they tell you: "Oya madam step aside over here and show us your papers in compliance with Food Safety Standards / Agency (or whatever it's called) to show that you meet the required guidlines to travel out of the country with perishable food items?

You know, kind of like when your average toutish policeman / soldier stops you on the highway asking for your particulars. Even if you give them everything, they'll still find fault, so to save your precious time, just pay them jare...

Anyway, I think I was lucky. Maybe because it was the Christmas season? Or maybe because we were a large family unit travelling? Or maybe they just felt embarassed to harass madam at the airport? Dunno jor, but that they were very nice to us.

It hasn't happened yet and will not because they know there is no food safety paper for dried fish and egusi
The day they begin asking for one I will obtain one before I appear before them
Believe me it works
They have too many travelers and won't bother much with one that is refusing to shake bodi

Babymama1:
It hasn't happened yet and will not because they know there is no food safety paper for dried fish and egusi
The day they begin asking for one I will obtain one before I appear before them
Believe me it works
They have too many travelers and won't bother much with one that is refusing to shake bodi

Lol!

You're a hard woman abeg.

But seriously, taking food out of the country shouldn't be their problem but the destination country's. Naija customs should be more concerned with people bringing in food from other countries...

I must have come across efe at the airport with plenty fish o.
I saw one Madam with 3 big bags of foodstuff

I don't bother carrying all these. I buy when I need it.

besides sometimes I roast my own fish, meat , crayfish when needed.

For big family, it's much needed. But you can save cost by looking for alternatives

EfemenaXY:
Lol!

You're a hard woman abeg.

But seriously, taking food out of the country shouldn't be their problem but the destination country's. Naija customs should be more concerned with people bringing in food from other countries...

I totally turn gangster at that murtala Mohammed at my exiting journey
I have a speech prepared before I face them
I remember one time I came home and was going back with my mom and the eediotic nigerian custom says I must give her 10k to go with my food I said never,I will not
My mother was reaching into her pocket book,I spoke in Igbo ( she looked Edo of delta) and said mommy don't give this baboon any shishi
One Igbo boy there started laffing and said aunty cool down now,I said why,do I owe her?
Cool down wetin
The woman now insisted she must search my bags I said carry on,search me
She searched and searched and at the end of the day I left with my bags and my food
There are people who will give then naira and dollars ,they don't waste time with people who give them wahala

Chillisauce:
I must have come across efe at the airport with plenty fish o.
I saw one Madam with 3 big bags of foodstuff

I don't bother carrying all these. I buy when I need it.

besides sometimes I roast my own fish, meat , crayfish when needed.

For big family, it's much needed. But you can save cost by looking for alternatives

Lol! Not me o!

Anyway, my dear it's always wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper to buy from back home na.

Besides, the freshness is always guaranteed. Unlike your average Asian shop that would still try to sell expired crayfish and garri to you if they can.

Gosh, this talk just makes me wanna hop on a plane and jet back home!

EfemenaXY:
Lol! Not me o!

Anyway, my dear it's always wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper to buy from back home na.

Besides, the freshness is always guaranteed. Unlike your average Asian shop that would still try to sell expired crayfish and garri to you if they can.

Gosh, this talk just makes me wanna hop on a plane and jet back home!

Expired crayfish ?

You still eat garri?

I'm fine with my potato puree.
Plantain flour, now tuwo.

EfemenaXY:
Lol! Not me o!

Anyway, my dear it's always wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper to buy from back home na.

Besides, the freshness is always guaranteed. Unlike your average Asian shop that would still try to sell expired crayfish and garri to you if they can.

Gosh, this talk just makes me wanna hop on a plane and jet back home!

Nne eh
I enjoyed home no be small
The fresh harmattan breeze in my village eh
Chai
Every morning one neighbor was throwing a party for igbankwu or one celebration na so DJ go dey blast music in the air from morning till night
Christmas is enjoyable in Igboland I tell you
I savored every drop of it

Babymama1:
I totally turn gangster at that murtala Mohammed at my exiting journey
I have a speech prepared before I face them
I remember one time I came home and was going back with my mom and the eediotic nigerian custom says I must give her 10k to go with my food I said never,I will not
My mother was reaching into her pocket book,I spoke in Igbo ( she looked Edo of delta) and said mommy don't give this baboon any shishi
One Igbo boy there started laffing and said aunty cool down now,I said why,do I owe her?
Cool down wetin
The woman now insisted she must search my bags I said carry on,search me
She searched and searched and at the end of the day I left with my bags and my food

You're lucky you didn't miss your flight o!

That aside, I'll never forget the image of someone's Ogbolo soup in a transparent local bread polythene bag, just going round and round and round on the conveyor belt at Heathrow airport.

I think the owner probably saw his soup but was too embarassed to collect it. Not with everyone looking and interested in seeing the owner of the escaped-Ogbolo-soup-in-a-polythene-bag...

Chillisauce:
I must have come across efe at the airport with plenty fish o.
I saw one Madam with 3 big bags of foodstuff

I don't bother carrying all these. I buy when I need it.

besides sometimes I roast my own fish, meat , crayfish when needed.

For big family, it's much needed. But you can save cost by looking for alternatives

It is not the same o
Lai lai
That dried firewood texture that takes them hours to do and smoky taste can never be achieved by your oven or grill

EfemenaXY:
You're lucky you didn't miss your flight o!

That aside, I'll never forget the image of someone's Ogbolo soup in a transparent local bread polythene bag, just going round and round and round on the conveyor belt at Heathrow airport.

I think the owner probably saw his soup but was too embarassed to collect it. Not with everyone looking and interested in seeing the owner of the escaped-Ogbolo-soup-in-a-polythene-bag...

Do you mean Ogbono soup or dried Ogbono

If na you nko?

One time my suitcase tore at a corner when it came out and some of the contents spilled including a few dirty underwears I recognized
Some non essential stuff,really
I denied those underwears immediately boned face and exited the building

Chillisauce:
Expired crayfish ?

You still eat garri?

I'm fine with my potato puree.
Plantain flour, now tuwo.

Hubby with all his integration still wolfs down better Eba / Pounded yam with Egusi, Ogbolo, Banga (or Owho) soup. Boiled yam and plantain with dried fish and palm oil, is guaranteed to put him in a good mood any morning. Even Akara or moi-moi with yellow akamu, beans porridge and fried plantain, fried yam and stew, etc etc are the sort of stuff he likes jare.

Babymama1:
Nne eh
I enjoyed home no be small
The fresh harmattan breeze in my village eh
Chai
Every morning one neighbor was throwing a party for igbankwu or one celebration na so DJ go dey blast music in the air from morning till night
Christmas is enjoyable in Igboland I tell you
I savored every drop of it

Forget that one sef.

Let's talk about the slow pace of life. No one rushing like they've got two heads to beat the clock. It's so laid back, at home...

I swear, on that domestic flight from Lagos to our destination, that sky never looked so blue. The clouds so white. The tree tops so green. The sandy soil so brown...

Ahhhhh.....

Babymama1:
It is not the same o
Lai lai
That dried firewood texture that takes them hours to do and smoky taste can never be achieved by your oven or grill

Ah..ah!

This woman, e do na! Choi!

Babymama1:
Do you mean Ogbono soup or dried Ogbono

If na you nko?

One time my suitcase tore at a corner when it came out and some of the contents spilled including a few dirty underwears I recognized
Some non essential stuff,really
I denied those underwears immediately boned face and exited the building

Proper Ogbolo soup na (I know you guys call it Ogbonno). Soup with the palm oil floating inside. Shebi you know how they make local icecreams back in the day...where they just pour fanta / coke in a transparent bread polythene bag?

Yep, this person's soup was like that na.

Lol @ if na me nko! What if the soup dey hunger you wella?

EfemenaXY:
Hubby with all his integration still wolfs down betta Eba / Pounded yam with Egusi, Ogbolo, Banga (or Owho) soup. Boiled yam and plantain with dried fish and palm oil, is guaranteed to put him in a good mood any morning. Even moi-moi with yellow akamu, beans porridge and fried plantain, fried yam and stew, etc etc are the sort of stuff he like jare.



Forget that one sef.

Let's talk about the slow pace of life. No one rushing like they've got two heads to beat the clock. It's so laid back, at home...

I swear, on that domestic flight from Lagos to our destination, that sky never looked so blue. The clouds so white. The tree tops so green. The sandy soil so brown...

Ahhhhh.....

Let me gist you gist nau
I ran low on money after doing mother Christmas and called my sister to send me money so I could buy some George wrappers and lace
You know
South south / south east things lol
If you saw what I went through to collect this money eh

CHineke God

We enter the one bank so

Madam do you have account with us
No?
Why?
I don't live here,I just want to collect the western union money
Ok see the customer service
I proceed to that line
Same line
Madam do you have an account
No
You can open one
I know but I only want to collect the money
How much $300

Then after checking her calculator

Sorry it is over 40k
Our limit for non customers is 40k and you need someone to be a guarantor

I exited the bank

Babymama1:
Let me gist you gist nau
I ran low on money after doing mother Christmas and called my sister to send me money so I could buy some George wrappers and lace
You know
South south / south east things lol
If you saw what I went through to collect this money eh

CHineke God

We enter the one bank so

Madam do you have account with us
No?
Why?
I don't live here,I just want to collect the western union money
Ok see the customer service
I proceed to that line
Same line
Madam do you have an account
No
You can open one
I know but I only want to collect the money
How much $300

Then after checking her calculator

Sorry it is over 40k
Our limit for non customers is 40k and you need someone to be a guarantor

I exited the bank

Was this sent to you via Western Union?

That shouldn't have been a problem na. Or should it?

Then my host calls someone she knows at her bank and tells him we are coming

We get there

They point us to a counter
We waited our turn and after telling them what we came for,they pointed us to another counter
They ask me the PIN number in front of everyone,as I was reading it out,he says no,let me see it on the phone,I hand him the phone
He punches numbers and gives me a paper to return to the first counter
We return there fill out the paper with the person being my guarantor then we are asked to take it back to the second counter,we do,he writes on it we return to the second counter for two signatures then the first yet again
Then the gentleman punches his computer and then brings out this dirty book,I guess they are called ledgers ,writes something,then brings out his stamps and stamp the papers ,then disappears into a cave to bring out the money
This is taking more than an hour plus o
For ordinary western union of $300

Babymama1:
Then my host calls someone she knows at her bank and tells him we are coming

We get there

They point us to a counter
We waited our turn and after telling them what we came for,they pointed us to another counter
They ask me the PIN number I front of everyone,as I was reading it out,he says no,let me see it on the phone,I hand him the phone
He punches numbers and gives me a paper to return to the first counter
We return there fill out the paper then we are asked to take it back to the second counter,we do,he writes on it we return to the second counter then the to first yet again
Then the gentleman returns into a cave to bring out the money
This is taking more than an hour plus o

Haha!

This reminds me so much of an ACB bank we had on campus at Uni.

Forget your lectures for the day because when you get in there for 9:00 a.m, you won't come out till 2:00 p.m But that was before the upgrade in Technology!

EfemenaXY:
Haha!

This reminds me so much of an ACB bank we had on campus at Uni.

Forget your lectures for the day because when you get in there for 9:00 a.m, you won't come out till 2:00 p.m But that was before the upgrade in Technology!

Nne eh
I turned to my host and said Nneka how do you people manage in this place without taking off your clothes and entering market
This is rough!
I told her that if this was the USA,I would simply walk in,pick up a form off the counter fill it,hand it to the cashier who will ask for a valid ID and walk out with my money in less than 10 mins

by the way they did ask for picture ID
I handed over my naija passport and after some minutes they said it is expired,then I whipped out the blue one

We have a long way to go