Ah, road trips. The great American pastime not too peculiar to Nigeria but who is to say that nothing fun can be done while saying a big NO to depression.
There's nothing quite like packing up the car and hitting the open road irrespective of which country you live. You get to see new places, meet new people, and create memories that last a lifetime. But let's face it, road trips can also be a little...shall we say, chaotic. Here are some of the funniest moments and lessons I've learned from my travels on the road but I will start by sharing what my confidant and friend passed through on the Lagos-Abuja Expressway.
Ahmed decided to take a road trip with his friends from his office and their route wasLagos to Abuja. They packed their bags, hopped into Ahmed's old Toyota spider car, and hit the road. But little did they know, the car was in desperate need of servicing. Yeah! I have warned Ahmed severally to take his car for checkup after I had noticed severally that his check engine light was always on even when he claimed it simply malfunctioned but stubborn he as I have always known!
The guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere with no phone signal, and they knew they had a long journey ahead of them. But instead of getting angry or frustrated, they decided to make the best of the situation. They set up a makeshift campsite on the side of the road and started to cook up some food and yes, it happened in Nigeria, LOL
As they were grilling some chicken Ahmed had bought earlier at Iketu Market, they noticed a group of monkeys watching them from a nearby tree. One of the monkeys seemed particularly interested in the chicken, and before they knew it, it had snatched a piece of chicken off the grill and ran away with it.
The guys were laughing so hard that they forgot about their car troubles for a little while. But eventually, they had to face the reality of their situation. They knew they had to find a way to get the car fixed, but they were in the middle of nowhere with no idea where to go.
Just when they thought things couldn't get any worse, a herd of cows came charging through their campsite, knocking over their grill and scattering their food everywhere. The guys were covered in dirt and cow dung, but they couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
Eventually, they managed to flag down a passing truck and hitched a ride to the nearest mechanic. After a few hours of waiting, the car was finally fixed and they were back on the road. Looking back on the experience, Ahmed and his work colleagues realized that sometimes the most unexpected situations as he claimed can lead to the most memorable moments. Despite their unserviced car and all the challenges they faced along the way, they had an adventure they would never forget
Now back to my personal lessons for when anyone is embarking on a road trip; first and foremost, always make sure you have enough snacks. I can't stress this enough. When you're on a long road trip, you need sustenance. But not just any sustenance, you need snacks that will keep you entertained and energized. I remember one time I packed a bag of carrots, thinking they would be a healthy and refreshing snack. But after about an hour, I was so bored of eating carrots that I was ready to throw them out the window. Lesson learned: bring snacks that you actually want to eat.
Speaking of food, one of the best parts of road trips is getting to try local cuisine. But sometimes, things don't always go as planned. I once stopped at a roadside buker in the middle of nowhere and ordered the "special of the day." It turned out to be something called a "Tuwo," which was essentially a bowl of mashed rice that was meant to be swallowed with some mad soup . I don't know who came up with this cuisine, but needless to say, I didn't finish it. Lesson learned: always ask what the "special of the day" actually entails.
Of course, no road trip would be complete without some mishaps along the way like that of Ahmed's. One time, I was driving through a remote area of Obudu in Calabar when my car broke down. I was stranded for hours in the scorching heat, with no cell service and no way to call for help. Just when I was about to give up hope, a group of nuns pulled up in a mini-bus and offered to give me a ride to the nearest village. It was a surreal experience, being stuck in a mini-bus with a bunch of nuns, but they were incredibly kind and helpful. Lesson learned: never underestimate the kindness of strangers.
On a similar note, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan. I once planned a road trip with some friends to visit the Zingeris National park, but when we arrived, we discovered that the park was closed due to a government shutdown. We were devastated, but instead of giving up, we decided to explore the surrounding area and ended up discovering some hidden gems that we never would have found otherwise. Lesson learned: sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that don't go according to plan.
Another important lesson I've learned is to always be prepared for the weather. I once went on a road trip in the middle of the rainy season and packed only shorts and t-shirts. But when we got to our destination, it was unexpectedly chilly and rainy. I spent the entire trip shivering in my thin clothes and regretting my lack of foresight. Lesson learned: always check the weather forecast and pack accordingly.
But despite all the mishaps and lessons learned, road trips are still some of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of my life. There's something special about hitting the open road and seeing where it takes you. Some of my favorite memories include singing along to Osadebe's 80s songs with my friends, stopping at a buker were we ate snake meat for the first time and lots of other experiences.
So if you're thinking of taking a road trip, my advice would be to go for it. Sure, things might not always go according to plan, but that's all part of the adventure. And who knows, you might just end up with a great story to tell.
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Interesting
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