The last time I travelled was on the 28th of March and that was my last time in the town where I did my National Youth Service Corps. I’d thought about this journey for months until it was time to finally take off. Leaving people I had connected with for over a year felt so painful. I wish I never had to, but I had no choice but to take on a new journey, especially since it was needed for me to change my environment and look for a better opportunity.
Before leaving, I’d inform my spiritual parents in Saki town a few weeks before to help me get a trusted driver who would convey all my stuff and me to my destination and not start taking different vehicles, which could be stressful and a wrong decision, too. They really helped and I got a good person. He came around with his bus the night before I left to inspect the load and know how he was going to charge me.
I was even surprised when he mentioned an amount lesser than what I’d expected to pay from Saki town to Ibadan which was over 3 hours journey. This is the kind of journey I do like, one that will only take me straight to my destination without having to stop at bus stops to board another until I get home, such kind of trip makes me sick and would turn to illness for me with those irritation I develop in the bus mostly with uncomfortable smell from people, smoke from the vehicle or the constant stopping at checkpoints.
The next day, we took off, though he had to pick up more passengers on the way since it was an 18-seater bus and that didn’t affect my stuff, which I ensured nothing happened to them, too, especially the solar I just got a few days before.
It was a smooth ride, and there was no issue on the road, unlike some drivers who won’t bother to check their vehicles to confirm if there’s anything wrong so they could fix it before embarking on the road while delaying their passengers.
When the driver dropped everyone at their destination, we continued the journey to my place, and I actually liked the man; he was a nice person and not one who gave me problems on the road. I ended up paying more than we’d agreed just to appreciate his cool-headed behaviour. That’s something I love doing - appreciating people for their kindness and he felt happy, too.
The journey was a smooth ride and not the type where I would squeeze myself in like packed sardines as if I didn’t pay my money. I was able to sit comfortably with my legs stretched out, which enabled me to enjoy the movies I watched and the music I listened to. There were times I had to laugh, too, when some passengers brought up some funny moments and discussions.
After that last trip, I haven’t travelled anywhere. The last time I thought of travelling was two weeks after I’d settled down in my new apartment, as I needed to visit my aunt in Ilorin. My plan was for her to help me make some bean flour for making bean cake (akara) but it turned out that I became preoccupied and couldn’t go again. But it’s still on my mind to travel.
Perhaps I would be travelling to my hometown soon to say hello to my dad and then branch to Ilorin for a visit to my aunt. I don’t want to wait till December to do that, and since my job, for now, is working from home, it allows me to go anywhere without having to get permission from any boss since it’s something I can do anywhere and any time.
Both images are mine
