Sharing my country
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In a little over two weeks, I'll be taking my annual trip home to Nigeria, but this time, with a significant other in tow. Though excited to the core, I wonder if he would love my country as well. While perusing a couple bookstores in Stockholm looking for Yòrubá language books, I curiously meandered over to the travel guides section to see what I would find on Nigeria. Thoughts of possibly penning one for a guidebook company had been swirling around my mind for days. Stumbled across an excellent Bradt Travel Guide for Nigeria written by Lizzie Williams - I believe the first of its kind in terms of detail. Designed in the green and white colors of my flag, I grabbed it and flipped through incessantly. For a few moments, I felt like a stranger discovering new cities and scenics of a foreign land. She'd covered my country with such amazing depth and intricate detail that instantly put me to shame. As locals of certain places, forgetting the beauty that lies in our very backyards comes easily with time, and it usually takes outsiders to remind us of what we have. From subtle cultural differences to well known protocols in Nigeria, Lizzie did a magnificent job. Though I walked out without a copy, it's sure to end up in my travel collection very soon. As we ready ourselves for the journey back home, elation continues to fill me. I picture my hometowns both in the city and village, extended family, and our penchant for communal reveling, and I know he can't help but be swooned by the genuine warmth that Nigerians exude. Current plans also include some continued photography and project work with the NGO, C.H.I.E.F, as well as revisiting the orphans I fell in love with at Mercy Home. Though this year so far has been mighty busy on many fronts, I haven't done as much photojournalism for NGOs as I would have liked, so next year will focus more on travel to Africa and Asia for more human impacting work. ________________________________________________________ |
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