EXPLORING BAUCHI

                              This post is best viewed on a laptop or tab to keep the arrangement of the pictures in tact.

I travel for relief....

After lamenting on social media about how work was clutching life out of me, and how I felt like I was losing who I am, I craved a trip to somewhere new, somewhere I could forget about work and just get back to me.

"We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic to creativity.

When we get home, home is still the same, but something in our minds has changed, and that changes everything. “ - @ay.firefly

Remember my Easter post? I wrote about my desire to tour the Northern part of the country but plans didn't work out well. click here for post

Well, I finally got the opportunity and I owe big thanks to Social Prefect Tours (Check them out on Instagram – @socialprefecttours). I have to give it to the Social Prefect team, the entire trip was worth it, even better than I anticipated. 

Seeing my name printed on the gift item (notebook) was everything, the personal touch was very welcoming

In the Easter post, I also stated I wasn’t comfortable travelling with ‘strangers’. Well, lets say the lyrics of Jack Garratt’s song got to me. I mean, I keep saying I want to break out of the norm, explore and actually live life. The only way to stay true to my words is to start living it.

“Speak and open up your heart

It’s something you should do all the time

Keep exploring, seek and find

You know you might surprise yourself”

-          Jack Garrat (Surprise yourself)

I opened up my mind and signed up for the trip. Though, I got my close pal - Mute, to sign up as well. I had to go with a friend just incase I couldn’t blend in due to my anti-social ways. 

Group photo before take-off

When we first boarded the bus, I gave Mute a nudge and whispered, ‘everyone else seems to know themselves. This is so going to be a personal journey for me even though we are in their midst.” He replied saying that was his sentiments also.

That changed few minutes later as I realized they were really cool travel buddies and I eventually blended in. My friend, Ivan, would be proud of me, when he learns that I finally played the concentration game and was about the fourth or fifth person standing out of over twenty participants. :D

Officially, this has got to be one of my best trips yet. Not largely due to the scenery, the road trip or photography, but to a large extent due to the wonderful persons I traveled with. Their zeal, open mindedness, bonding with young entrepreneurs - people who have consciously decided to take their future in their hands...it was refreshing being around all that energy.

Our take off point was Millennium park in Abuja. This was the first time I went on a journey without checking out its position on the map. After we crossed Nassarawa and Plateau States, that’s when I realized how ‘Northish’ Bauchi State is. But I was already on the bus and there was no going back.

What’s a trip without contingencies? I take such as part of the adventure. When the bus developed fault along the way, while a few complained, I simply got off the bus to take in the Plateau air and practice my photography. This one was small ish compared to when I had to sleep on the road in a foreign country during an excursion to Benin Republic. That was 2008 or so.

I have a new travel rule – No headphones when travelling to a place for the first time.  I want to have a complete experience of the place, open up my senses to the elements and feel saturated by it all. No distractions. This was the plan but it got even better. My mobile phone had absolutely no reception throughout the three days. I was totally cut off from the outside world and it was perfect.

"Half the fun of travel is the aesthetic of lostness" - Ray Bradbury

***

On arriving Bauchi, our first stop was the Government House, after which we visited the Emir’s palace.

From there we embarked on another journey to Yankari Game Reserve. It was indeed a journey. Even from the gate of the reserve to the facility is a journey on its own. We settled in, had dinner (one thing you can’t take from the Social Prefects, is the proper food provided - breakfast, lunch and dinner were all on point!)

The next day the exploration began proper though it started in a weird/funny way. Mute, two other travelers (Pamilerin and Tobi) and myself had an encounter with the Baboons (a.k.a area boys of Yankari). Post for another day

There was the walk to the restaurant for breakfast which gave us the chance to take in the beauty of Yankari Game Reserve;

             

There was enough food;

There was dance (though I hid behind the camera to prevent taking part);

 

There was the pre-safari ride photo shoot;

                                                                                                   
There was Yankari museum tour (pictures courtesy of Tunji);

                        

There was the Safari ride (though most of the animals have migrated, I was still able to see a few animals);

                                    

                                                                                 

                                                    

                             

There was the swim at the Wikki warm springs (initially I was scared of entering the water, but I summoned courage and well, I kinda rocked the underwater video clips)

This video has gone viral on Instagram, currently has over 19k views and counting...

There was karaoke night;

 On our way out of Bauchi the next day, we witnessed the Durbar festival;

The Emir

I’ve always said I prefer travelling with company over going solo, but this time, travelling with a group of people with shared passion for travel was a whole new experience. The excitement and energy in the bus was enough to kick out my introverted personality.

Travel breathes life into me....

                                                                                                                                                      When we travel, our minds open up to new things, possibilities, we get enlightened, refreshed and savor the beauty of nature. Life is not meant to be lived in one place. There’s so much out there to experience. So much more life has to offer…something deeper and real.

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it's a chance that goes on, deep and permanent in the ideas of living" - Mary Ritter Beard

 

To feel alive for me, is to travel.  Incorporating travel with writing, music and photography is a big part of my life.

"Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller" - Ibn Battuta

I’m deeply grateful to Kike for introducing me to Social Prefect Tours. The trip to Bauchi is only the beginning of many more trips with them. 

A week plus after the trip, I’m still filled with excitement, still bursting with life, energy and possibilities….chilling with Mute, making new friends, taking in the sights and sounds of Bauchi has given me a fresh breath and I feel alive again….

"Buy the ticket, take the ride..." - Hunter S. Thompson

THE FLIGHT

People drift apart.

This he has come to know...

Christopher Efosa sat at the check-in lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport. His gaze ran the lengths of the hall, his focus on the faces that walked by.

He looked up at the clock hanging undisturbed on the wall. Anytime soon, boarding would be announced and he'll be saved from the guy sitting beside him and his friend, who sat across.  They had thrown small talk towards his direction, along with curious glances, searching his face for a response.

He gave them a straight answer when they had asked what part of the Nation he was from. After which he threw his attention elsewhere, not venturing to go further. But still, they didn't seem to get the message.

A voice with forced accent spoke over the loudspeakers. It was time. He jumped from his seat, grabbed his bag and headed for the fast forming queue by the door.

Seated by the window, he watched as other passengers made their way into the plane. He searched each face that walked down the aisle towards him, wondering if they will settle in the seat beside him. The traffic eased and it seemed everyone had boarded.

              

Christopher stole a glance at the vacant seat by his left. Just maybe after all, he was going to have another quiet flight. He dreaded those people who had made it a culture to have a conservation with their seat mates. Does it ever cross their minds that sometimes the other person may just want to be left with their thoughts?

***

She made her way down the aisle, clutching her portable travel bag.  The moment he saw her, a tight knot formed in his throat. He swallowed to ease the tension. ‘Please occupy the seat beside me’, he prayed silently.

Her eyes watched the beam of the airplane, studying the seat numbers. She looked lost, but elegant. She stopped at row 12. He was seating on 12F. She placed her bag gently in the cabin above. She was about stepping into the row but she paused and took few steps back. He let out a sigh, ‘tough luck brother’.

She reached for the bag, took out a book and threw it gently on the seat beside him. It was a John Grisham novel. He was an ardent fan of John Grisham.

She settled in her seat, right beside him.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed her’s were firmly shut behind thick reading goggles. She wore white sleeves tucked into a blue ripped denim. Edgy but still classy. She wore black sneakers to round off her look. She fondled her Samsung phone, going through pulse news site to catch up on the happenings around the country. Another major point scored.

The engines of the aircraft came to life. The air hostess performed the safety routine rituals.

How does he strike a conversation with her? Her phones were turned off and she was reading from page 75 of John Grisham's The King of torts. This would be easy, the novel was a common ground to start up a conversation...

The seatbelt sign went off. No words had left his lips since he stepped in to the plane. He’d adjusted three times in the last few minutes since take off. Why hadn't he yet spoken to her? He stole a glance at her. Her focus was on her book. She was at page 80 now.

He captured her in his mind and made a mental profile of her. She definitely wasn't based in Benin City. She was probably going there for something and would be out in a few days. Why bother starting a conversation?

He already had enough acquaintances he's lost touch with due to distance. He was tired of meeting someone new, have a great conversation, then one of them has to return to base. That was always the beginning of the end.

No one seemed to keep in touch these days. Everyone was seemingly too busy. He could have said something, but of what use? Say she is based in Benin, which he strongly doubted. They would exchange contact, communicate online for the week then on the following weekend, they’ll probably meet. They’ll discover they have so many things in common, one person falls and then things start to get complicated. They always do.  

Really to what end?

By tomorrow or the next she’ll most likely be back to Abuja. Two scenarios would definitely play out. They’ll probably stop chatting after a few weeks. This he could handle. The second scenario which would have her ghosting him was one he couldn’t deal with.

It’s hard enough that he has insecurities, he didn’t need someone worsening his predicament and making him questioning himself. His self-confidence was hit real hard when Dayo ghosted him. He thought they had something good going. Their conversation was effortless, the day he returned to Benin, they had a nice conversation but then, his whatsapp messages kept having the blue mark with no response coming.

He’s always thought of himself as a likeable person but that one ghosting experience threw him into a phase of self-doubt. No one was going to put him through that again.

The captain’s deep voice over the speakers broke his thoughts.

The seatbelt signs came on.

***

Normally he’d wait till almost everyone had filed out, but he needed air. He got up, squeezed himself past her legs, brushing her shoes slightly. He apologized immediately. She responded with a nod. He opened the top locker, got his bag out and joined the queue.

‘Could the airhostess open the door already?’ He frowned, stretching to see if the line had started moving.

***

The sun kissed his skin harshly. He drew in the first rush of air that hit him. It was good to be back in his city. He couldn’t decide if he should call the office driver to come pick him up or hail a cab back to his house. A cab would be much better he thought, at least he won’t have to wait and who knows, she just might be wait as well in the lounge for a ride to come pick her. Why prolong the torture?

Getting a cab was no trouble. He sat at the back seat, took one more glance at the arrival gate as the car found its way to the airport gate.

There she was, holding her portable travel bag, staring at his vehicle.

Their eyes met.

Unspoken words were exchanged…

DON'T CONFORM...

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN - FEBRUARY 03, 2013

I just stumbled on this post I wrote back then in 2013. I wish I followed my heart as per taking my time in truly figuring out what exactly it is I wanted out of life...but the stage my decision has brought me to in life at the moment isn't bad (thankfully) though I still feel like a lot is missing and I desire much more out of life. The good thing I guess is, I am gradually finding my way back...The focus has always been truly live life and feel true happiness ‘cus truly this life is too short to conform and stay unhappy, managing (we know how good Nigerians are at managing).

I hope this piece inspires someone out there to follow their heart and choose true happiness instead of living a life of conformity and then end up being miserable.

****

Life after service, hmm... What can I say? It’s so different from what I expected. I thought now I would be free to do whatever I pleased with my life or maybe I really am, that's if I ignore all society demands from fresh ex-corpers (those that have passed out less than a year) and also ignore family expectations.

Seriously, I should extend my break because right now I don't feel ready for the 'real life'. It's like everyone is mounting pressure on me (unknowingly tho) to get a job or apply for masters....jeez! I hate when people ask me 'what's next now?'

Must we all conform to standards set by the society or meet societal expectations? If you are not working immediately or already applied for a master’s degree does that make you a failure?

Nơw look what I have gotten my poor self into...yea I haven't told most people yet, well for now I consider it a mistake sort of because I regret my decision at times, though I'm thankful for the opportunity also. I started working since last week of July last year and each morning I wake and I have to prepare for work, I feel sad in my spirit because I know I ought to be resting and figuring things out and finishing my uncompleted novels.

Who knows I just might tender in my resignation soonest because I AM NOT READY! (I wish I had the balls to do that). I wish I stood my ground and maintained my normal standard of non conformity! Seriously, must we all follow the trend that society has set? After service next thing is masters or a job, next marriage? That's mostly for guys I think. Marriage comes first probably for girls, so it seems. Once someone deviates from this, the person is looked as a failure or social misfit. Absolute crap!

Maybe I had to make this 'mistake' to finally figure things out. At least now I finally know when I would like to start living the 'real life', when to start working and when I would like to do my masters. The thing is I have three likely life paths I'd love to take career wise. The job I am currently holding would lead me to one of them so all is well I guess, I just have to suck it up and complete the transition from a life of no responsibilities to the real life because as of now I am now a worker. Gosh, I feel like laughing my head off at this junction. This is actually reality now, where whatever becomes of me I hold responsibility for.

It kinda sucks to be an adult. I miss those undergraduate days when all I bothered about was having good grades and being a better person. Mostly I miss being a child when I had no care in the world, when all that mattered was food, games, tv and friends...

From another point of view, am I just being lazy or do I have home problem? God save me. Only time would tell...

One thing I have always known as evident in my life is my steps are always ordered by God and all things are working for my good...No worries...in God I trust.

Y.O.L.O (you only live once…)

This post is best viewed on a laptop or tab to keep the arrangement of the pictures in tact

#np: The time of my life – David Cook

I started this year craving a six month’s break. Since I couldn’t take the six months off everything, I decided that I’ll utilize every public holiday this year to the fullest.

Easter was the first. I thought of touring the North but that plan didn’t work out well. Initially though, I had planned going on one of those travel trips, but the thought of going with complete strangers didn’t go down well with me.

The next best thing was to draw up an itinerary of what I could do on my own. I have been itching for a while now to practice with my camera. I have decided that my camera isn’t going to be another gadget I spent money on only to abandon. So off to Lagos I went.

It was going to be a road trip. I went in the company of two of my colleagues in a private car. Road travel is always best when you are in familiar company - the jokes, laughter, teasing and then that comfortable silence that follows when everyone’s energy level is low. Soon again, close to the destination, it always seems everyone wakes up and the party resumes. 

Road trip! Tolu, Ivan and Myself

Aside catching up with friends, I had specific places to visit in two/three days. Normally, I announce my arrival in Lagos so anyone interested in hanging out could holla but this time, I had to keep a low profile due to the limited time and number of activities I had planned. I have so many cool friends in Lagos and wished there was enough time to meet up with each and every one, but then it was what it was.

First outing was the beach, Elegushi beach to be exact. I wanted to catch the sunset and mostly experience being at the beach till late night (I eventually left there around 10:00 pm, still not late enough). I did catch the sunset and had a nice time taking cool shots of the ocean at sunset while also taking some nice shots of my friends and their friends that joined us. One of the most beautiful natural view has got to be the ocean during sunset.

 

 

So basically, I’m an amateur photographer now, sort of. I need to make out time to develop this photography thingy, seeing it has taken a special place in my heart. I’m still not sure I want go pro with it. I’d love to keep it a hobby, like a safe haven where I can escape to, for relief, same way I take my writing. Purely a hobby.

Though now, I’m currently having second thoughts based on the compliments I have been getting from people as per the pictures I took. My confidence has fast started to grow. I have gotten such good feedback, meanwhile this is just me starting out with only basic knowledge I got one evening from a friend. I haven’t even attended a formal class or exposed myself to more advanced knowledge about photography.

The truth is, maybe I have been lying to myself about keeping my talents as hobbies (though the fear of taking my hobbies all too serious and then losing the fun in it is quite legit). I was discussing with Afe recently and I told him I am scared of taking pictures professionally, like what if I cover someone’s wedding and all the pictures come out bad? That guilt I could never live with. But deep down I know that confidence doesn’t come in a day. He gave a nice idea that I could start covering occasions free while the person also has their official photographer. It’s funny how so many people tend to believe in me more than I actually believe in my own capabilities.

The best part of my trip was the food festival I attended in the company of Seyi and Efe. The festival held at Samantha’s Bistro & Grill in Ikoyi. From one booth to another we went checking out different kinds of dishes, drinks as well and processed food products. Oh! And the really cool part was the free tasting, till well, I tasted chilli pepper.

How I hate pepper! I still don’t know how people will cook food, rice specifically and pack pepper in it, all in the name of ‘pepper rice’. The worst is when people would leave their houses and go to an eatery to purchase ‘pepper rice’. Just ridiculous! Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Surprisingly there was an art corner at the festival. I hid behind my camera as excuse not to paint (I was very shy). 

I love the arts. I love music, I love books and I love pictures/photography and paintings. This was my first time experiencing people painting from start to finish. Being there awakened my desire to tour an art gallery. I didn’t have the chance to do that before leaving for Benin but that’s now top of my bucket list.

Below are pictures of other persons along with my buddies who were at the art booth. Two of them are professionals while the third guy is a graphic designer. Initially he was going for the joker but along the line I guess he missed it and ended up painting a happy clown. He did good work though, but I would have preferred the joker. Art that comes with darkness or pain are the best to me. 

The thing about being the one handling the camera is, you end up not featuring in most of the pictures. In as much as I wanted to get great shots of the ocean, I also wanted to have pictures of myself at the beach. Next day, I went back to the beach.

One major thing I took away from this trip is I need to focus on developing my photography. Everyone has been giving good feedback and all. Maybe this year’s leave I should go for a short course on photography.

I can already picture my personal gallery; the walls painted white, my landscape pictures from my travels framed and placed on the walls with smart lighting design illuminating the room. Most importantly, soft music playing from the surround system….a boy can dream, in it?

At Alpha beach I got some really cool melancholic themed pictures like those of Godwin Okoye. A good photographer has got to have great directing skills. Know what posture, angle and lighting exposure to have that perfect picture you are going for… when next you see that photographer climbing a tree or almost lying down on the floor, don’t laugh…that’s someone with passion and vision going for the apt angle. 

 I saw a meme somewhere which said – “that you own a DSLR camera doesn't make you a photographer”. Hell yeah! I totally agree (even though it subs me as well). Photography isn’t child's play. Forget auto mode, try getting the right exposure and lighting using manual mode. If more than half of your pictures isn’t dark or totally blurred out then know you are there.

I remember when I just started learning how to shoot using manual mode. I took my camera to the office to practice on my colleagues. It wasn't funny. The pictures were all crap. Being the type of guy who is always determined to excel in whatever I do, I got really mad with frustration written all over my face. My colleague looked at me, she shook her head and said, 'I don't know who gave you this camera that you want to use to kill yourself'.

Photography is serious business honestly. The hardest part? Editing and sorting out the pictures. This is the part I don't like at all. It took me four days to sort and edit the almost one thousand pictures I took during the Easter break. The first day I slept at 1:00am because of photo edit. If only people knew what photographers go through to bring out those amazing pictures, we wouldn't complain much about the pricing.

****

This past Easter break was indeed made for me. I left Lagos feeling alive. Like I was reborn. I left filled with a rekindled passion for photography. I came to Lagos feeling dead and burnt out, but I left with new energy and excitement for living. Yea, it sucked that I was headed back to my routine of corporate work, but I knew it wasn’t going to be the same. After working hours each day, I am going to live for myself and do stuff that brings happiness.

This trip was all about me appreciating the arts and taking time out to explore something I love (photography). It wasn’t about partying or trying to meet up with some hot acquaintance. But of course two things that have become a tradition whenever I go to Lagos – buying novels and meeting up with a music buddy to talk about music, as well as updating my music library.  I got two new novels to add to the list of novels I am yet to read (I have read about five novels since the beginning of this year). It’s nice watching my library grow.

I’m almost done arranging my music files on my laptop. I am arranging them based on artist per folder. Each artist folder contains all their albums in the sub folder. It looks very sane and easy on my senses when I open my music folder these days. Not the crap I had before that made me always feel suffocated. Now it looks like a proper music library, easy to locate albums and songs, making my life feel orderly.

It was another road trip back to Benin. This time I really didn’t want to do the whole music or chatting and teasing thingy. I brought a book to Lagos and I was determined that I was indeed going to read a book on my trip back. It’s a culture I am trying to get accustomed to. Before I would take a book along on a trip but would never touch it.

I started this culture when I travelled to Abuja in January.  I took time out to read at the hotel though watching CNN kinda took most of my time, but I was able to read well at the airport while waiting for my flight. Recently when I went to Asaba for work ish, I read while waiting for the meeting to start. Meeting up with my ‘rules’ gives me satisfaction, like I’m able to discipline myself. 

I got to Benin feeling alive and excited about life. That’s the beauty of travel, it breathes life into you. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Not all the time work and serious stuff, sometimes break out of your routine and just live…try something new, explore and open yourself to beautiful moments and keep the memories for yourself.

It’s one thing to have a bucket list or day dream about things you'll love to do, but it’s another thing to actually do them. I've decided not to cheat myself from enjoying the beautiful moments in life. While I’m still young and energetic, as much as I can, I’ll try to explore and experience as much as I can. Most importantly I’ve decided to develop my hobbies, read more books and appreciate the arts. Basically, I’m all for living for the now. Life really is short. What is it that they say? Y.O.L.O (you only live once…)

So this is me, while working towards achieving those career goals, I would try to have it all. I won’t take it all so serious. While working to be who I want to be, I’ll try to actually live my life as well.

”I’ll taste every moment and live it out loud
I know this is the time, this is the time to be
More than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life”

The time of my life (David Cook)

"The world aren’t half as bad as they paint it to be" - One Republic (Come Home). But how would you know this if you don't truly live? There's so much to life than work, pay bills, take care of kids and wait for death.

I want more out of life. The little things are those that bring so much joy...music, good company, photography, books, food...

I'm thankful I made good use of the Easter break and also had the chance to appreciate the arts, meet up with old pals and made one or two new acquaintances.

Dear young men, don't forget to enjoy your youth while working towards being successful. Don't be that 50 year old trying to relive their 20's.

           

“But until my moment comes, I'll say...

I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places, the things that I did
with every broken bone, I swear I lived”

- I lived (One Republic)