Jokes Apart

Traveling is something I like to do once I have the privilege. It's been a long since I traveled a long distance from my abode of residence. This time, it's my sister-in-law's wedding. The family has to gather again to see her handed in marriage. My family and I have to set out to Delta state from Lagos today. The trip from Lagos to Delta would take nothing less than five hours but we arrived after eight hours.

The driver made our journey enjoyable by playing different genres of music. From RnB to hardcore rap to Fuji to gospel to apala to highlife and to Juju. You know, at first, I kept wondering what it was that the thoughts of the driver were as to the different kinds of songs burned in one flash.

The Bob Marley track about how prison is what the government would build and not hospitals and schools made me think deep. He began the music first by singing that while he was growing up, his father told him crime does not pay. Music has a way of calming our anxiety, this one had a twisted effect on me. While some of the songs sounded noisy a few made my day.

As soon as we entered Ondo state, the number of police checkpoints increased. In less than five minutes drive, the police checkpoints appeared and made traffic dreaded. I was glad that the checkpoints were there at least as security measures considering the state of insurgency, kidnapping, and chaos in the country. To my amazement, rather than play this vital role, they were just busy collecting bribes. And possibly, they were passing criminals through the checkpoints after taking bribes from the drivers.

Some special task forces were busy looking for guys that are on weird haircuts and beards. Around the Edo state axis, the policemen were parking luxury cars for proper checks or cars with suspected internet swindlers.

Away from this issue of police and their unfriendly and unlawful business on our highway. I had warned the driver of overseeing and recklessness when we started the journey, he didn't change. I was kind of embarrass because I was the only one talking about it that I had to keep my mouth shut.

Image is mine. Shot taken with my Tecno pouvoir 4 phone

We had a stop over to ease ourselves after about four hours in the vehicle. There were many things to buy. The kids were pointing at everything they saw. First, they requested for chinchin. A few step away, a suya spot where the oil from the roasted meat was taken over the atmosphere, one of the kids pointed and asked that we have a bite.

That reminded me of a funny experience I had years ago. I boarded a night busy from Lagos going down east. When we arrived Óré around midnight, I bought suya. In no time I had consumed the spicy roasted meat. Before you knew, I had this stomach upset and I needed to poo. Boy!! It wasn't funny at all. The luxurious bus driver did not stop until the final bus stop. So, with this, I refuse to buy suya for the kids, rather I bought coke and that saved the day.

We set out again. Immediately we ventured into the highway, the driver discovered that the break had loosed. It was as result of his recklessness. We had to spend another two hours fixing it. I just kept my calm but watched in anger.

We had to consult a roadside welder to help fix a broken rod.

Traveling could be an adventure. This one is a double adventure for me. We arrived safely at our destination with everyone jumping out to welcome us home. My kids were fond of their maternal grandparents, they had no difficulty mingling.

I am glad we got here safely despite the shoddy experience.

Lead image is a shot taken by me.