Travelogue 1

Sight of One of the Hills in Ebedi, Iseyin

 TRAVELOGUE 1

 IBADAN TO EBEDI (Fakunle Busayo Nsi)

I could tell you categorically that the struggles to driving dreams into reality can be frustrating and so immeasurably demanding. Right from conception, you begin to map out faint paths towards achieving the picture of the unseen that only you could picture. Embarrassingly sometimes (even in writing), one doesn't have a clear picture at inception but with determination, focus, perseverance, persistence and prayer, it usually turns out to be a huge success and sometimes bigger than what was initially conceived. Or have you not experienced a large turn out for an event you've planned to be an indoor thing? You don't want me to tell you about the first party I organized.

Unarguably, creative writing or generally, writing calls for self determination, dedication, discipline, and concerted effort from a writer who desires not only to just get publish and improve his or her earnings but also play an indispensable role towards positively changing the narratives in the society and contribute immensely to the processes involved in nation building.

Trust you will agree with me that effort is the key to success. It is simply like sugar and groundnut to gaari Ijebu in cold water on a sunny day. And if you've not taken it before, try today. Lols. So you wilI get my stand for saying persistence (as one of the efforts) drives people to accomplishing the unexpected ( perhaps their big dream).

Friends, I have a dream of changing the world with words, dream of transforming the world through writing children's literature. Or how could we hope for a better tomorrow when we fail to give them attention and right their wrongs when their hearts is tender? That dream took a new dimension few days ago when I eventually got a letter of invitation to attend a writers' residency.

So when I was about leaving home today, my wife gave me a rich smile to replace the peck I had asked for. Perhaps she was scared of where that could lead to (after three boys). I left the three boys, saying yes to whatever they asked me to buy when returning. They have no business with the current economic situation of the country. How would you tell them to be economic with food? What is their business with fuel is now 200 Naira and that government seems to be doing nothing about it? To worsen it all, I feel threatened each time my grandma tells me to feed them very well like she's taking a revenge role on me. Honestly, I am not FFO (For Food Only), it is just naturally that humans eat always. How often depends on your pocket. 

When I got to Iyana Tioya (along Akanran local government Secretariat and the first border), I queried my reasonings if our leaders are all 'born wicked'. You demolished a big bridge on a main road without doing some 'patching ups' on the nearby service roads to make road users averagely comfortable. Where is the sense? As if one border is not enough, four big bridges along that route have been demolished. You can't rightly imagine the pains we feel each day for going to work and visiting you in 'the city'. 

After escaping the usual traffic along Lagos Ibadan express way, I got to Iwo-road, welcomed by the noise of individuals begging for alms. As much as I understand that such can't be totally eradicated, are you not worried about their alarming increase these days? Are you sure these individuals are not sponsored by cartels or so? In fact, I am always embarrassed by the way they almost put their hands in my pocket, their ridiculous looks and sometimes the way they move closer to me with the intent of collecting the 'change' I collected from either the bike man or the driver. However, since I gave 'no face', they left, only for another set to replace them. 

As if that's not enough punishment for a stressed passenger like me, the driver's incompetence was something else. Obviously, he had smoked something before we boarded his Micra. Whatever it was, I couldn't say. How could you say you dislike putting your leg closer to the brake pedal and that it is only when your brain tells you to press it that you do and might not necessarily be where passengers will alight. What do you call that? Madness or what? By the way, do the 'officers' still check if these Ibadan drivers have license? 

On getting to the Iseyin-Oyo garage, memories of my trip to Taraba (11 years ago) came heavily and vividly. The NYSC camp in Iseyin has  been opened for another batch. To kill boredom, I engaged the young lady seated beside me on issues relating to ASSU strike, lecturers' impatience and if there is still sense in serving this country considering the security challenges we face daily.

I wouldn't want to run away from the fact that government did well by constructing/ tarring that Moniya-Iseyin road. But then, we shouldn't be blinded with that to start thinking there are not so many things to fix in this state.

It was a gentle breeze that welcomed me to Iseyin and I immediately looked for a canteen to kill hunger. From where I was taking my bread and beans, I saw trees on the hills. Some are tall while some are short. Some are deep green while some are light green. Yes, some are healthy while some are not. And really, I realize it speaks about humanity, life, yes dreams. Some will come true, some will not. 

I can't but thank God for this is a dream come true. Here I am at Ebedi International Writers' Residency. I can tell you sincerely that here is indeed a haven of peace and serenity, away from the bustle of the city.

Busayo Fakunle  (Nsi) writes from Ebedi in Iseyin, Oyo State.