Greetings my dear friends in the @lifestories community. It's a nice day and I'm going to be sharing my unforgettable life stories with everyone here today.
I grew up with my parents in a strange land. My state of origin is Ebonyi state but my parents resided in Ondo state when they brought me to this earth. My father used to be a traveler, often visiting my grandparents every two weeks. The distance from Ondo to Ebonyi state is a journey that could take over ten hours by bus. While traveling to my state, there is this prominent bridge called the Niger Bridge, which my parents often tell me stories about. I had wished to often travel along with my dad but he often said I was too young for the traveling stress.
When I later turned eight, my dad saw me eligible and capable of traveling with him. Since childhood, I have only traveled by bus due to my financial background. The only time I had ever had a chance to travel by air was the time I wanted to represent my state in a mathematics competition which was later annulled. I missed my first flight experience. I didn't feel bad because I have this phobia for higher elevations, acrophobia. I haven't had to travel abroad so the only means of transportation I have been through is by land, that's by bus and other vehicles.
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I am a "window" kind of person, meaning that I love sitting by the window while traveling by bus. However, I have been advised by my best friend to avoid sitting by the window in case of strange bullets, accidents and or unexpected collisions to avoid being the easy target. My country still suffers from insecurity.
Sometimes if I'm not sitting by the window, I would try my best to sit in front because I love observing my environment while traveling. I love viewing the good works of nature and the wonderful creativity put up by man to make the environment amazing.
So one of the weekends when my Dad wanted to travel he asked if I would come along and see the bridge I have long waited to see. My heart was filled with joy and excitement that it couldn't contain anymore. My mom gathered some of the things I would need for my travel and I gathered some of the things I would use to play when we arrive. Early in the morning the next day, I woke my parents up for the first time. The "koala" is now waking others up. My parents were amazed. I was known to be a champion in sleeping, but the zeal to travel and behold the Niger Bridge was my motive to wake before others.
Though I am afraid of higher heights which I'm getting used to gradually, I still didn't fear to stand on the bridge. My confidence is from the fact that I have learned how to swim. I learned how to swim from my elder brother when we used to visit the stream. These skills I have in swimming have made me not be afraid of bridges or water bodies. I have developed this overconfidence that I could even swim in an ocean but I know it's impossible.
Finally, I gave my mom a warm hug and left for the park with my dad. We boarded a tricycle which conveyed us to the park. When we arrived at the park I thought we would just find a bus, get in and drive off. I didn't know we needed to get our tickets at the ticket sale point. So my dad carried me in his arms to make the walk to the ticket sale point faster. We got our tickets and a bus was allowed for us. I didn't like the bus we were told to travel with, I saw other finer ones. I asked my dad, "My don't we use the other bus, dad? It looks more colorful".
He then replied to me, "Different buses go to different destinations, this one we are boarding is the only one heading to Ebonyi state. I hope you get it, my boy".
"Yes, Dad. But can't tell them to switch the bus for us"? I asked my dad.
"No son, that's a cumbersome case, just go for what you have, ok! My dad told me and I just had to keep calm.
We began our long journey. While the bus was speeding through the highways I was very observant, glancing at every eye-catching point. We passed several busy places like markets, bus stops and barracks. The journey was a long one and we deserved a break at some point. The only place the bus would stop for passengers to have a break and ease themselves is the Niger Bridge. At the end of the bridge is one of the busiest bus stops. Do you know what? I was already asleep by the time we arrived at the bridge. I slept off despite my eagerness to see the bridge. I had a sleepless night just because I couldn't wait for the day to break to begin my travel with Dad and the sleep came to hunt me afterwards. Sleep is one thing man can't cheat on. Man can't cheat sleep. However, what contributed to the sleep was the cool breeze blowing my head through the window.
So when the bus finally stopped at the bus stop at the end of the bridge, my dad woke me up and teased me, "My sweet boy, we have passed the bridge. You slept off." My mood changed immediately but he laughed and took me out of the bus to see the bridge. When we went down the bus, I found out my dad wanted to test me. That was my first day to see ferries, canoes and speed boats. That was also my first day to see a very large body of water. I saw fishermen paddling their canoes and casting their nets at different points on the river. I created a picture in my mind which I have never forgotten till today.
After a while, the bus conductor called out for everyone so that we could begin the next phase of the journey. We all got in and the bus drove off. As the journey continued I kept on seeing a lot of beautiful works of nature like the ravines, mountains, rocks, green fields and grown forests.
When we finally arrived at the bus stop in my state, the bus conductor helped everyone bring out their luggage from the boot. We boarded a taxi back home. When we arrived home, I saw my cousins and grandparents. They all welcomed me very well even though I didn't know them at first sight.
It was a long journey by land that I will never forget.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it
This is my participation for the #mayinleo daily prompts which the link will be threaded to @leogrowth.
The first and last images are mine.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
