Abj For JJCs: Ten Things To Do In Abuja This Season

BY IPHIE MANUELZ

So I am totally not having a brown Christmas neither am I having a white one, instead here I am having a rainy, crappy cold Christmas  all the way in obodo oyibo. What keeps me going are the thoughts of the previous 'brown' Christmases  I have had in the past, aptly named brown Christmas because of the dust and dryness that comes with the harmattan. 

So for the first time in ages my family didn't head home for Christmas  for an Ibo family you know the village and Christmas are tied together but the flood was very hard on us this year, so everything is in disarray back home. I got thinking and I came up with a list of ten things I would do in Abuja over the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

  1. Buffet: I would head to Transcorp Hilton or Sheraton Hotel and Towers to start off the celebration after mass. Their buffet would really be a good place to spend time with family, without having go through the hassle of actually preparing the meal. Do not ask me how much it costs, Lol, I do not know, my dad might know though, Lol. All you have to bring is your empty stomach.

  2. Silverbird: I would either visit the, the Silverbird Entertainment Center in the Central Business District or Ceddi Plaza located on Tafawa Balewa Way. Which ever one is picked, the intention is to see a movie with friends, and we can see a movie at anyone we end up picking. Don't forget to get their lovely popcorn and get a drink.

  3. Millenium Park: Another way to spend quality time with both family and friends is to visit the millenium park situated in Abuja. I have a very large family based in Abuja, so the park would give enough room for the little ones to run around and play, while the adults discuss. It would also be a fun way for your family to meet your friends. Come along with some snacks, food and drinks for a lovely time with family and friends.

  4. Amusement Parks: the Maitama amusement park is situated off IBB way in Maitama. This park has a lot of rides for both the adults and children and would be a fun way to spend Christmas with family or friends. I remember going on a ride with friends a few years back and it was screams all the way. Wonderland Amusement Park is also a good park to visit, located just after the old city gate and just beside the National stadium. It promises rides for both adults and children alike.

  5. Relaxing with something to eat: To bring an already awesome day to an end, we could go out at night to the citipark, where we can have some roasted fish or fish pepper soup and a drink, while having a good time with friend. You could also visit Yahuza, located at the Central business district, Wuse 2, gwarinpa and kubwa.  Take sometime out to visit shawarma spots like, Shawarma King, Ketchup, Drumsticks etc, Abuja is the king of Shawarma so you can always get a spot to get good sharwarma.

  6. Ice-cream: the best solution to the Abuja weather. Head to places like Amigos, Hatlab, Grandsquare. Amigos is located in Wuse 2 same as Hatlab. 

  7. Bowling: Abuja boasts of a beautiful bowling alley at The Dome, with a club just over it, the bowling alley is just the perfect place to take a break from the regular Abuja outing scene.

8. PARTIES: We all love to party, whether its a pool party at Transcorp, Bolingo, Sheraton, a private pool party, hitting places like Play, Tucanno with friends or a house party, one thing is certain, a party is a must for the season. 

9. Eat Out: a break from the usual jollof rice, fried rice and other African cuisines that we fill ourselves with all year round, wouldn't be a bad idea. Abuja boasts of nice Chinese restaurants, you could eat in or take, try places like Chopsticks, located in Maitama or Sinoni located in Area 11 for tasty Chinese meals. The club house in Life camp would be a very nice place to visit for some lovely Mediterranean meals

    

10. Lend a helping hand: last but certainly the most important is, lend a helping hand to someone in need. The season is all about love, so extend your hand in love to another, whether by visiting an orphanage, cooking and sharing with your neighbour that has nothing, visiting the hospital or visiting the prisons. Whatever you choose to do, show somebody some love this season.