Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone! I hope you all had a memorable day, for those who celebrate? Fun fact: in my tribe (Igbo), the phrase “thank you” means daalu or emeela. The pronunciation of the words determines the meaning.
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I am going to make this a gratitude post infused with a recap of our recent meeting… Enjoy the read!
Three Things I’m Grateful For
On November 23rd and 24th, we had a 2-part meetup for local guides in Abuja. It was a much-needed reconnection and a wholesome experience overall.
1. I am grateful to share a special bond with these two ladies @Zino_ & @Zinta– “sisterhood of local guides!” I say aha. I won’t dive into details of our first encounters years back, but these ladies showed up to an impromptu meetup I announced on Wednesday, and we talked about all things local guides, life and meaningful connections. Also, shoutout to Zino for being recognized as one of the 2021 Guiding Stars! 2. I am grateful for delicious food in my beloved country. We met up at 042 Restaurant, a park known for its traditional Nigerian dishes and tasty palm wine. I particularly like their abacha (an Igbo local dish made with cassava) and their nkwobi (cooked cow foot with seasoned palm oil).
042 had a casual, easy-going vibe with nice music playing in the evening. On day two of the meetup, we enjoyed more palm wine and a very delicious isiewu meal. Isiewu means “goat head” in Igbo, and yes, the entire head of the goat with its particulars are cooked and seasoned with palm oil! I was able to capture this peaceful moment of the space before the crowd came.
- I am grateful to have finally met @Sagir, to reconnect with @DigitalPope and to connect with @Zicco . Meeting Sagir for the first time was such a surreal experience, because we’d been in contact virtually since 2019!! To the point that I actually thought we had already met in person! It’s amazing how connected you can feel to someone without being physically present once your purpose aligns. It was also lovely reuniting with DPope who always has great insights, and meeting Isaac for the first time.
In Summary
I am thoroughly grateful for the local guides we have in Nigeria. Each individual I have met within the community has a unique story of why they became a part of the community, and it’s always refreshing to hear what brought us together. Thank you so much to the attendees of this meetup. Thank you to those who responded but could not make it. Thank you to those who supported from outside the city and the country. A much needed experience after what felt like forever of connecting with my people. Saying this with a full, warm heart… What are you grateful for this year?
Additionally, have you tried any Nigerian dishes before? If yes, which is your favourite?! If no, I challenge you to find a Nigerian restaurant closest to you and go there today!!
Cheers, Chinonso
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