Tuesday 27 September 2011

Big Leap...

"Eko oni baje" "eku kale; eku gbadun; eku everything".....the words that greet me these days (not that I mind) cos I have a soft spot for yoruba language I'm not bothered that everyone I meet just feels I should speak it.
Recently the saying "life is a choice" became more real to me seeing how I made a choice that still suprises even me.

As I walk the streets of Ojodu/berger; the blaring of high life from the speakers at the corner shop beckoning to prospective buyers distracts me,I didn't notice the okada racing towards me until he emptied the water gathered in the pot hole beside me...the women displaying their wares on the pedestrian walk leaves no choice but exposure to the racing okada's, keke marwa, not forgeting the danfo's and cars....phew, I feel exhausted just typing this.

The yellow colour that flood the streets is no campaign gimmick but the danfo, commuting people to their various destinations...
Done with my bussiness at Ojodu, I hail a bike (okada) and the bargain for commuting me was getting intense when I decided to budge and pay the fee he requested."oya, madam enter" I wonder why I'm expected to enter a bike..well, that a thought for another day.(I mean, who can argue in the scotching sun?)The jolly okada ride was a breath of fresh air..I mean literarily! except for the odour of sweat oozing from the riders coat..(good thing i was wearing a strong perfume.)
Another worry for me was the plastic helmet clad to my jaw..I could hardly breath; even thinking of the heads that have worn it before me sent cold shivers down my spine, what a day!

Finally I alight after several close calls, the pounding of my heart could almost be heard a mile away. With trembling hands I pay the guy his money.."madam, your hand dey shake?!" the annoying grin on his face was evidence that he was conscious of all he did on the ride..
Lagos!

The huge contrast between this city of dreams and the tranquility of my previous aboard stares me every passing second but live through it I must!!.
With every passing minute I say to myself as if in amazement; I can't believe I'm here!!! I took a big leap!...........................rbg  

No comments:

Post a Comment