The Bougie Village
As I was trekking from Lagos to Iloko-Ijesa the town which would be my new home for a year, the changing landscapes informed me that a physical exiting from city live was happening.Through my rear view I saw pass huge structural buildings, heavy traffic, and millions of people navigating the urban sprawl as they started their day to a barren unpaved roads, stretches of nothing but vegetation, and the periodic herds of animal and their human acquaintance. I was headed to the “village.”
The transition from Washington D.C. , where I stayed, to Lagos felt like a shift in a car from first gear to second. A light subtle deceleration felt initially but the momentum/push of the ride remains the same. Except for a view sharp noticeable differences upon my arrival, I saw all the semblances of life back in the U.S. But now feeling the occasional bumps on the dirt roads and glancing periodically at hawkers dangling fresh killed meat for purchase, I realized that this journey would be like nothing that I had experienced. It was like going from 2nd gear to shifting to reverse while fully accelerating. Exciting but startling. This is how I was feeling during the seven hour travel.
Once I arrived at the gates of Olashore International School, I honestly did not know what to expect. What I encountered was an impressive self-contained and well maintained campus. It boasted a library, computer labs, hostels for 750 students, multiple cafeterias, a 24 hour clinic, and housing accommodations for most of its staff. Now to be honest what I was most concerned at the time was my living quarters. I’m a city slicker. My first thoughts were how much “roughing it” would be required on my part. A year is a long time. The best way I can describe my living arrangement is bougie village life. I’ve got all the basic amenities shower with hot and cold water, gas stove, microwave, air condition, refrigerator, and electricity plus satellite television. At home, I’m good! Now looking for some things to do outside is a bit challenging. I will save that for another conversation.
John-Ubong Silas
The transition from Washington D.C. , where I stayed, to Lagos felt like a shift in a car from first gear to second. A light subtle deceleration felt initially but the momentum/push of the ride remains the same. Except for a view sharp noticeable differences upon my arrival, I saw all the semblances of life back in the U.S. But now feeling the occasional bumps on the dirt roads and glancing periodically at hawkers dangling fresh killed meat for purchase, I realized that this journey would be like nothing that I had experienced. It was like going from 2nd gear to shifting to reverse while fully accelerating. Exciting but startling. This is how I was feeling during the seven hour travel.
Once I arrived at the gates of Olashore International School, I honestly did not know what to expect. What I encountered was an impressive self-contained and well maintained campus. It boasted a library, computer labs, hostels for 750 students, multiple cafeterias, a 24 hour clinic, and housing accommodations for most of its staff. Now to be honest what I was most concerned at the time was my living quarters. I’m a city slicker. My first thoughts were how much “roughing it” would be required on my part. A year is a long time. The best way I can describe my living arrangement is bougie village life. I’ve got all the basic amenities shower with hot and cold water, gas stove, microwave, air condition, refrigerator, and electricity plus satellite television. At home, I’m good! Now looking for some things to do outside is a bit challenging. I will save that for another conversation.
John-Ubong Silas