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If you ever have the opportunity to visit Cano, Nigeria, please respect the culture and dress very conservative. Females, do not wear dresses that expose your legs. These people were Muslims. In 1991 I caused a very violent incident in a large outdoor shopping market. I was spat on, yelled at, pushed and cursed at because my legs were exposed. Fruits, vegetable, rocks and whatever was handy were thrown at me by Nigerians protesting my attire.
Upon my arrival in CanoI noticed the way all the women were dressed and my experience traveling in the military, has taught me to respect the customs of other countries. I made it my priority to purchase appropriate attire. I needed desperately to fit in not stand out. An English speaking Nigerian woman at the hotel I was staying in volunteered to show me where to get appropriate clothing. The woman asked if I would wait until she got off from work and she would show me. I agreed and later followed her into a crowd people who out right did not appreciate the way I was dressed. The dress that I was wearing was not a mini-skirt or anything like that; the length was just above my knees. I had forgotten to do my homework as far as researching the culture of these northern Nigerians.
I found myself in a very large outdoor shopping market and very overwhelmed by the hurling of various foods and obstacles thrown at me. It became apparent that my life was now in danger. The Nigerian woman that volunteered to show me where to purchase clothes had long disappeared. My Nigerian friends did not speak the language nor had they been to Cano before. Nigeria has over two hundred different languages and tribes. We did not see this terror coming until it was too late. We managed to slip into one of the small hut-like stores just to be told to leave immediately. Suddenly, a young girl ran up to me and threw a cloth over me trying to wrap it around me while saying "you must cover!" I knew that I was the center of all the attention and police came from many directions to escort me out of this market. The loud yelling, the throwing rocks and fruits continued even after I was in an official police sub-station. The crowd was beating on windows and doors trying to gain entry into the police station.
My heart beat faster than I could breathe and I began to feel very sick. It was extremely hot and I was extremely nervous and scared. Finally I was given different clothes, questioned, and then escorted out of that market. I thank God for sparing my life that day. A week earlier there was a woman stoned to death in that same market. I am blessed to be alive.
 Author Bio - I am married with a fourteen year old daughter. I work online from home. I love writing poetry, singing, and riding my bike. My husband is my greatest supporter in my aspirations to become a professional writer. My mother has both legs amputated and she is a great source of my motivation and strength. I teach Sunday school and enjoy attending Christian activities. I Love the Lord!!! Going Traveling? Shop Here! Check into my My Freebie Business
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