An Unexpected Journey – Anike
Absolutely petrified is how I felt when I found out I had to travel to Abia state in a couple days. The thought of being in a car triggers my anxiety because my mind races with countless worries.
I can’t help but imagine all sorts of disasters—like the possibility of our ride colliding with a reckless driver or a truck driven by someone who’s using a stick to control the gear because the truck’s not functioning properly.
When we pass under a bridge in Lagos, I worry that a trailer with a container might lose control and drop the container on my car, crushing me. Yes, you might think I overreact, but these fears are very real to me!
Driving in Lagos feels like a constant struggle with the fear of a tragic accident. That’s why I avoid going out and prefer to stay indoors, where I feel safe from the chaos of Lagos roads. Now, imagine my anxiety when I have to travel to a different state where I don’t even speak the local language.
I was in complete shock for three days. I even begged my dad to come with me, but we realized it wouldn’t be practical. When the day finally arrived, I packed my suitcase and bag, threw them into the car, and let my imagination run wild with worst-case scenarios as my dad drove me to the airport.
I can guess what you’re thinking… “You flew there and you’re acting like you traveled by bus.” But in my defense, the plane only got me to Owerri, and from there, I had to endure a 5-hour bus ride to reach my final destination, Umuahia.
While on the road, I was surprisingly calm because I had soothing music playing in my head. It felt peaceful to speed past numerous villages, with the wind rushing against my face so intensely that it brought tears to my eyes.
I saw the mud houses, the thick forest, and the juicy looking fruits (which were definitely my favorite part). There was a particular vendor who arranged his fruits in a pyramid so beautifully. I usually don’t take pictures because I prefer to live in the moment, though I kind of wish I had made an exception this time!
When my playlist ended, I snapped back to reality and realized we were still on the same road. I started to question just how long this road could possibly be?
The most absurd yet oddly sensible thought struck me: “Let me check Google Maps.” I pulled out my phone, but I couldn’t make sense of what the map was showing. This was the same map I relied on as my “road angel” whenever I was on the go. I began to panic.
I asked my friend, Wuraola, if she knew where we were, but she didn’t—after all, it was her first time here too. We then turned to the driver, but for some reason, he didn’t say a word. I started to panic, wondering why he wasn’t responding.
A few minutes later, he stopped to ask a passerby for directions and spoke in Igbo, which is the main language in Abia. That’s when I realized he might not have understood us. I kept my eyes peeled for any signs I could look up online to figure out our location.
An hour later, thanks to the kind people we met along the way that gave us directions, I finally reached my destination: the “Abia State NYSC Orientation Camp.”
The end of this story also marks the beginning of a new one – how a 4 week intended camp session turned out to be a week.
Published by
