AirTool's 2000 th Post

[AirTool]

Many may have noticed (and many not) that I haven't posted in a while. I've been off-the-map busy and saving my 2000 th post for a special treat. I just can't get to it (the treat) and I'm suffering from PN Withdrawals. I now have a different way to make the post unique.

I've been stuck in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for the last three weeks (including Thanksgiving) related to business. You will read on the web that the Niger Delta is a fairly dangerous place for visitors like me. No need for details...but the ironic (and very sad part) of this trip is that while I'm here at somewhat elevated risk....two business associates of mine in Houston were tragically killed in the US over the holiday. These deaths were unrelated and accidental. Both individuals were living their normal lives. A 65 year-old woman I worked with in the past was killed in a car wreck on Thanksgiving day. A 58 year-old oil and gas operations lead I knew since 1998 was killed in a small plane crash on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

The holiday is past, but counting your blessings should be done every day. Please just take a moment to think about how fortunate we are.

I will be returning to the US on Thursday night. Before I go, I thought I would post a few pictures of the area. Usually there are PN friends in the areas I travel. (You know who you are But I doubt there are any here....so there will be no reunion. Note in the last picture, the Officer with the machine gun was riding in our truck and got out to help clear traffice caused by the cement trucks trying to pave the new road.

Some might think this post is "Off Topic" but I disagree.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to this site and to Jeff for his efforts. Thanks to CC for the "hardware."

[74green]

I wish you a safe trip home back to Texas!

[2gofaster]

Stay safe. I spent a good bit of time in the delta and around lagos 10 years ago. It was like the wild west back then. You didn't go anywhere without security. People running around with guns everywhere. Gunfire in the middle of the night. And day. LOL

[wake_fun]

Congrats on 2000!
Now get back in the USA

[AirTool]

.....Gunfire in the middle of the night. And day. LOL

Gunfire? ...that means they DO have bullets. We've wondered if all these guards have bullets and if their guns actually work. (We were hoping neither.)

PS - Lagos is actually the "safe zone" now. I was supposed to spend two days there but didn't make it. Maybe next time

[SkiTower]

Have a safe return. I'm looking out for your 'turning of the sun' post.

[mhaaland]

Business in Nigeria,what do you do for a living or do i even want to know the answer to that question? Anyway make it back safe and congrats on the 2,000 post! When do you get your 2,000 post club member title? Hey i'm only 1,832 behind you.

[AirTool]

Back in Texas...wow, that was an adventure.

I feel like Indiana Jones but without the big paycheck, stardom, and a Lego action figure series.

[maxxwell]

Airtool
Bro, it's funny how small the world is.... I currently live in Houston and I spent most of this year working in Port Harcourt, Nigeria!! I know exactly what you mean about safety. Our company provided us with Mo-Pos during our stay, but our company sold out just recently and the company that bought us out decided that security was not necessary. On my last trip home, a couple of close calls and several delays made me realize that the dangers over there were not worth the money. I am currently in South Korea, which is generally safe.... but....wouldn't you know it.... North Korea started bombing South Korea....so far they are still thumping their chests at each other...

Anyways, I figured I chime in and let you know that I was right there and now of the bad place that is...

Take care and be safe...

Here are some of my pics from earlier this year

Mike