What can I say, I have been to many places and seen a lot of faces a lot in my lifetime for many reasons. I have been to 20 states in Nigeria and 14 cities within 8 countries. For someone who speaks many languages fluently, you can argue that my travels have left me with the ability to speak in tongues. I always leave with that as a souvenir.
From ‘Sannu!’ in Sokoto to “Güle güle” in Istanbul, I have said many hellos and goodbyes to people and places on my many trips. I am from Ogun State, Abeokuta to be precise and life’s journey has taken me to these places for different reasons, not all Jaiye. I attended school in Enugu. What is a Yoruba girl doing in Enugu, you ask? Same thing the Igbo man is doing in Jos. It was different being the unicorn, but when in Rome, you behave like a Roman. I picked up the language and slowly tried to fit in, however, no matter what I did, I was Taiye, omo Yoruba and a proud Nigerian.
Federal College Games took me up north to Sokoto, where they embodied their culture with pride and their talents walked into any room before them. It was then I knew that we were one and the same and that our uniqueness is what binds us as Nigerians. Edo State was another memorable trip, though it was to attend a burial, only if the circumstances were different.
I found myself back in the East, in Imo State for NYSC and after 3 weeks, I ran back to Lagos, my safe haven. As the years went by, I touched down in many other states and cities, home and abroad for work and leisure. Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Kaduna, Oyo, Jos, Ebonyi, Delta, Osun, Rivers, Zamfara, I even moved to Abuja for work. Life up north holds many memories dear and unforgettable. I went to Borno for the first time, not to say hello but to bid farewell to my brother, who died fighting for our country against Boko Haram, a hero, if you ask me.
My love for Africa took me to Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia. Africa is blessed with people of colourful cultures and creeds. We are certainly not what the media and stock images paint. London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Cardiff, all English, but their tongues differ, it’s amazing to see. Washington DC then to Maryland (Bowie), where I felt like a kid in a movie innocently exploring the Six Flags and its hurricane harbour. The rides were thrilling and through the experience, I felt like an adrenaline junkie. I loved the rush! I cannot forget New York, the concrete jungle where dreams are really made, I felt like Alicia Keys walking down the streets.
In UAE and Qatar, Haha! I felt like an Arabian princess, call me Farah! My most recent trip took me to Turkey with some of my favourite women in the world, my HH People. It is a trip I won’t forget in a hurry.
Work has brought me down south to Calabar, Cross Rivers State and if there’s one thing I’ve noticed in all my nation trotting, everywhere feels a lot like home.
