Thursday 3 November 2011

MY ABUJA TRIP

I traveled to Abuja last week Tuesday (25th of Oct) to do omugwo for my sister that just put to bed. I hadn't been to Abuja in seven years. I didn't really plan my journey because I wasn't sure if my leave would be approved or not. If I had been sure of my leave, I could have booked a flight ahead of time and gotten it at a cheap rate. By the time my leave was approved, I checked flight fares and it was high so i decided to travel by road. My sister said Ekene luxurious bus was reliable and I bought my ticket a day before. I arrived at the bus park by 6:00am, the bus took their time to  load and we eventually left by some minutes to 7am. It's been a long time since I traveled in a luxurious bus. My last time was while I was in the university.

 I noticed that the bus was just moving jejeli and I didn't find it funny. Before we got to Ibadan, we had stopped more than three times to check the radiator. Apparently, the radiator was overheating and so we couldn't speed and had to keep stopping at intervals to "cool it". I'm sure the transport company knew that the car wasn't in top shape, and still decided to put it out on the road. This annoyed me because they didn't have regards for human life. As far as I was concerned, they were just interested in collecting their fares and hitting the road. By the time we got to Ekiti at 1pm, the driver parked in what seemed to be a car wash and decided to really "cool the radiator". The air-conditions had long been switched off and the heat was unbearable. Most people were muttering to themselves and saying that they would  never travel with Ekene again. I was too pissed to talk and had resigned myself to arriving at Abuja late. I also kept switching my phone on and off to preserve my battery which was running down. We eventually arrived Abuja at 12:05am. I heaved a sigh of relief and thanked God for a safe trip. I was also very glad to see that my brother-in-law *Osaro was already waiting for me at the park.

I had a pretty busy but brief stay in Abuja. My little nephew is an absolute darling. The guy doesn't cry, well except he is hungry, hot or needs a diaper change which is normal. I have met some babies that just love to cry for no apparent reasons. :-(.  I got to visit the Garki Old Market (had to do some shopping for my sis.). The first thing that struck me about the market was that you had to pay a gate fee (N100) before you can drive in. I had never seen that happen in any Lagos market before. The market was also organized and wasn't as razz as our very own Balogun or Oyingbo markets. Items were a bit more expensive though than in Lagos.

On Saturday, *Osaro decided to take me around a bit en route to the market again. Our first stop was the Grand Square. I had already eaten their bread and loved it and also couldn't wait to taste their famous scoops of ice cream. It was delicious and worth the wait. Then we were off to Yahuza Suya Spot. *Osaro said Yahuza has about 7 of such suya spots in Abuja. This suya spot was organized and very different from the Lagos suya spots I had been to. To place your order here, you walk into the building, chose what you want: chicken, gizzard, kidney, liver, beef, etc. from the menu in front of the cashier, and pay to the cashier. The cashier then inputs your order, prints out a receipt and gives to you. This receipt is what you present to the suya man outside who prepares your order. Interesting and organized if you ask me. The suya was spicy and good. Got me licking my fingers. :-). We also bought some bottles of Fura De Nu Nu for my sister. She is quite adventurous when it comes to food.

Our final stop before dashing to the market was at the Shagalinku Shop. I totally love Shagalinku Yogurt. Its creamy and nutritious. I think it's peculiar to Abuja and some parts of the north. My sister always buys it whenever she is coming to visit us in Lagos. You can bet I did the same. My siblings would not find it funny if i came back without it. I also bought loads of Kilishi. My siblings and colleagues had drummed it into my ears to buy enough for everyone.

All too soon, it was time for me to return to Lagos because my leave was almost over. I had sworn never to use luxurious buses to travel again and so opted for a small bus. *Osaro recommended Eagle Line. The bus left a little bit late because they needed more Lagos bound passengers which were not forthcoming. We made a stop at Lokoja to eat and also scout for more passengers. We eventually got into Lagos at 7pm. The trip was ok and the driver was quite fast.

I miss my nephew so much already. And I'm trying not to think of the fact that I have to resume work on Friday. Happy New Month to you all. May you achieve all you have set out to do in this month of November. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

21 comments:

  1. Awwwwwwww. You're making me miss Abuja bad *sniffs*

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  2. I want a baby?!:( ok...not for me...Maybe if I send this post to Ngo, my sister, she will oblige me...:(
    Wait, isnt it the mum who is supposed to do the omugwo?

    U get liver o! Since that incident of last year that involved a luxurious bus and people laying on the road (for their deaths), there is no way I am contemplating a luxurious bus or even road for any long distance trip within Naija.

    Thank God for journey mercies for you sha. How long was your leave? I thought it is usually about a month?

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  3. Sorry u had such a rough journey, but thank God you returned safely. I will be visiting Naija sometime next year.

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  4. che! na omugwo you go shebi na enjoyment you go so!?lol. glad you are back safe, happy new month to you too my dear, best wishes always.

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  5. Truly you get liver, i no fit go abuja by road ill just have to cough up the ticket money, thank God for journey mercies...i noticed you are resuming on friday, why???? Monday and Tuesday are holidays, you for add Friday too now..

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  6. *drooling* aww mehn! dont do this to me! those very thick kinda yoghurts abi? and suya and kilisi #sigh

    Thank God for journey mercies. Glad to know ur sis and nephew and doing great.

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  7. Sorry about your ordeal with Ekene,they always like that.All luxurious transport are like that,no exception.Even the smaller buses aren't left out,they all suck.This attest to the reason why i stopped taking buses,except where flights cannot get to or the journey is short.Congrats again on your new baby.LOL

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  8. @ Mimi B: Awwwww, Sorry dear. Didn't mean to. The town is fun. Thanks for stopping by. Will go check out your blog soon.

    @ HoneyDame: Somehow, I would never have guessed you were Igbo. I'm sure if you ask Ngo nicely, she will oblige you ;-). Yeah, mumsie was supposed to do the omugwo, but she is late. My first post on this blog was TRIBUTE TO MY MUM. You can check it out too. Thank God for journey mercies. I don't think of all those horrible accidents and robbery while travelling cos I wouldn't want to give myself high BP. I am entitled to 20days leave, but had taken the first 10days earlier this year.

    @ Docia: Thanks dear. Naija is a lovely place to visit. You will have loads of fun.

    @ Priscy: Na omugwo oo, all the fun waka was done on saturday. No dulling jor. Thanks dear.

    @ Jemima: I won't travel long distance again by road. Trust me, its crazy. My work no gree me add friday to my leave. *crying much*. Looking forward to the public hols jare.

    @ Toinlicious: Lol @ you drooling. Yep, creamy and delish yogurt. Thanks dear.

    @ A-9ja-Great: Thanks dear. They are just crappy to say the least. lol @ my new baby.

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  9. I miss Abuja and shagalinku, Kilishi and Grand Square bread. The Yahuza suya is a new one...

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  10. Thank God for journey mercies oh!!! Thankfully, you're only working for one day this week and then its the weekend :-)

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  11. @ Myne Whitman: Abuja is a fun place, though I didn't have the time to waka around well. Thanks dear. You know the place well o to be missing all that.

    @ Gee: Sweetheart, I really thank God for journey mercies. Can't wait for the long weekend (public hols added). yaayyyyyy ;-D

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  12. Awww, May her soul rest in perfect peace.....heheheheh ,,,I am glad my confusion worked joo!,,,I am not ibo, I am full-blooded yoruba. Ngor was just a random name i picked when i wanted to talk about my sister here

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  13. @ HoneyDame: Thanks dear. It worked o, lol. Reading the "Ngor" story right away.

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  14. shagalinku.....I totally relate!
    There is this bread also...no one goes to Abuja and returns without these 2 items in my house...no excuse.
    Lol!!!
    Glad you had fun doing the omugwo!!!

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  15. @ Ema Leecious: Shagalinku is so yummy and creamy. :-). What is the name of the bread? lol @ no excuse. Thanks dear.

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  16. hungry for some kilishi, where is my suya?

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  17. @ YNC: You are way too late dear. The kilishi is finished, but could get you some Lagos suya :-)

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  18. That is my favourite city in the who wideworld, with boko haram wahala is good you still had a nice time.

    Check out my story on Abuja
    http://www.ossyilumah.com/2010/07/abuja-masterplan-look-at-cbd.html

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  19. @ ossy ilumah: I didn't have time to really explore the city, but i sure did have fun. Thank God i didn't witness any Boko Haram incident. Will check out your story asap. Thanks for stopping by.

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  20. Hmmmmmm, I want all the goodies listed esp those that came back with u. No excuses pls

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  21. @ Anonymous: Errmmmmmmmmm, sorry dear, but the goodies finished a long time ago. No vex abeg. :-D.

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