ktravula – a travelogue!

Browsing the archives for the Soliloquy category.

Q & A

Q: What really have you been up to?

A: Many of them are really personal, family stuff. I have also taken steps to properly “graduate” from the University. This includes a very long and tedious process of undergoing “clearance” from almost every section of the University – Sports, Alumni etc. Yesterday, I got my certificate, but discovered that my name was written with an extra “N” in a wrong place, again. Sigh.

I’ve also been watching Michael Moore. Two days ago, it was Capitalism, a Love Story, a really enlightening documentary. Yesterday, it was “Bowling for Columbine.” I’m not done with that yet. When I am, I’ll be onto “Sicko”. Michael Moore is one of my favourite film makers. He is an inspiration, and I like the way he takes on issues. If I ever make movies someday, I’ll be borrowing so much of his ideas. The very moving last scene of Capitalism, a Love Story has him drawing a “Crime Scene – Do not Cross” tape around Wall Street. Then he made a bullhorn announcement for all the CEOs to come down and voluntarily arrested for defrauding the nation. I recommend the movie to everyone.

Q: Who is your next favourite team in the World Cup since the exit of the Nigerian Super Eagles?

A: I support the USA (of course) and Ghana. The US because they have not been known as a football-playing nation (I know they call it “soccer”), yet they have been spectacular in the tournament. I hope they go far. Maybe it will reduce some of the craze for American Football :). I support Ghana because they have also been quite spectacular, and of course since they’re the only African team left in the competition. But here is my dilemma: Ghana will be playing with the United States in their next match, and one of them must be knocked out. I will have my fingers crossed for that one.

Q: So when are you coming to a city near me, as you promised?

A: Soon. One other new discovery I’ve made is that it is more costly, and tedious to move around the country without a private helicopter or a travel grant. Still, the plan is on course, very much. Are there particular places in Nigeria that you’d like me to visit? And why?

Q: Where will you be this weekend?

A: Maybe at the Bookjam event in Lagos. Will you be there?

See you guys around.

Q & A was published on June 24th, 2010, with the tags , , , , , under the Soliloquy category. There are currently 7 comments on this article so far.

Father’s Day

With poet Eugene Redmond. April 2010

Yesterday I had one of those long conversations with a friend about the strange nature of parenthood, and my participant observation on fatherhood and its many complexities, and how relationships with fathers inevitably shape our outlook on the world whether we like it or not. How could I have forgotten that today is Father’s Day?

There are many questions I would ask if I could sit my father down for one whole day in a conversation, many of them about his childhood and how his childhood adventures shaped his later preoccupations. I would ask for specific details, facts, and pointers, and I would write them all down because of a time that my child(ren) might want to ask me about their grandfather at a later time. I may not take all his advice on life, writing, broadcasting, women or children, but I would delight in listening to them for an umpteenth time while wondering, “What would I be like when I’m his age?”

This generation exists because of the last one, and the cycle continues. Happy Father’s Day to all fathers out there, including my own, and my adopted fathers, intending fathers, and to my brother, and to my brothers-in-law. You make the world go round. Or do you? 😉

Father’s Day was published on June 20th, 2010, with the tags , , , under the Observations, Opinion, Soliloquy category. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.

In Little Moments

A peep into a dark office reveals a face that he instantly recognizes as that of the erudite Yoruba Professor A.I. famous for several classic plays that have now been turned into famous movies. There were a few others there. “Good morning sir,” he greets, bending almost double towards the floor. The man doesn’t recognize him, but he is obviously used to being greeted by one and all within and out of a University environment. “That is …’s son,” the other teacher volunteers, as he always does without prompting, and the visitor withdraws. “Ah, ah,” the Professor says, “I used to know your house in -. Don’t you have a brother just as tall as you?” “Yes,” the boy responds, as he mentally calculates how long it will take to exhaust the conversation, while at least happy for a little connection. “He’s fairer than me in complexion,” he says. “Yes, yes,” the Professor agrees. “How are you?” “I’m fine sir. I used to greet you many times, but you never seem to recognize me.” “Yes. I know your brother very well. He’s abroad now, right?” “Yes he is,” he replies, wondering how the man knew, “but I was the one who went to the US.”

He was silent for only a few seconds, and then asks. “Oh, you went abroad?” “Yes, sir. To teach Yoruba.” “Oh, that’s great. So why are you back here?” The boy laughs for a short second and responds, “The programme was over. I had to come back.” “Oh really? Why didn’t you just stay there for about three to four years to do some more academic programmes?” In other climes, this might have been a trick question, and the other teacher interjects rather excitedly, sensing that the Professor was serious. “No, they weren’t supposed to stay there permanently. One of the stipulations of the programme was that they return home immediately afterwards.” And there was something a little too perky about the response. Teacher was one of the ones who had insinuated that he might not come back if allowed to go out. “Boy, wasn’t there a time when you were all asked to promise to return at the end of your programme?” “Yes,” the boy responds, sensing an opportunity to strike back, “And I always found it funny and insulting at the same time. Had they expected me to simply disappear into the thin air of the American space. I could never understand it.” The Professor just beams and nods. “Well done, boy. So will you be returning there now?” “I don’t know sir. Maybe,” he responds in the same way he has now learnt to answer the question to everyone that asks in much the same way.

Yet, he wondered as he always did if the question was borne out of a certain love for him, or a desire to be rid of his presence as soon as possible. Some altruistic sadism, perhaps? It always seemed that everyone felt him better-off in a faraway land. And for few moments afterwards, he always found himself questioning whether that occasional desire to return to the old place that sometimes spring up on him unexpectedly is conditioned by anything other than his own restless feet.

In Little Moments was published on June 16th, 2010, with the tags , , under the Soliloquy category. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.

One Month After

Thirty days after packing my bags and hopping on the plane from St. Louis outwards from the United States, it is time already to take stock of what I’ve learnt so far.

1. That Paypal doesn’t work in Nigeria.

2. That one year of living in America has turned my football allegiance from my colonial masters (who originated the game) to my host country. Go Team USA! (at least until you meet with Nigeria).

3. That all anxieties about returning to a long-missed place are usually exaggerated. One would always adapt and adjust in no time.

4. That I miss Edwardsville, its people, my friends, the squirrels, and hot morning baths, lemonade and chappati. Very much.

5. That I would not be making any more youtube videos in a long time.

6. That I can survive without grapes.

7. That Summer in Nigeria is better than the summer in Edwardsville. Just a few Fahrenheit difference :).

8. That this blog will go on, at least until I run out of sensible things to say, forget to renew my subscription, or forget my log-in password.

9. That more people have read my blog per week since I arrived in Nigeria than when I was abroad. I don’t understand it.

10. That, in spite of all, it’s good to be home.


PS: I know I’m expected to write something grand and philosophical about returning home after such a long time. Right? Well, right now, with sounds of rain on the roof of my house, I’m at peace, and all I can think of are the simple things.

One Month After was published on June 14th, 2010, with the tags , , , under the Observations, Soliloquy category. There are currently 10 comments on this article so far.

Silence

I have nothing to say, so I’m saying nothing.

But, the ingenious gas stations in Lagos now take fifty naira extra if you should dare come there without your car. I still don’t understand the logic. I spend my own efforts to walk about a mile from my house to the station, keg in hand, and I get to pay fifty naira extra? Why? “That’s how it it sir. If you had come with your car, we won’t have asked you for it.”

And, my blog – I hear – has been inaccessible since several hours. Why? Bluehost has gone bollocks for a few hours. Database issues etc. How is that my concern? Yes, I’m contacting my lawyers to sue them for emotional distress and the number of readers lost during the interregnum. Oh, I forgot I’m still in Nigeria. Sigh.

Plus, I’ve written one new poem – after such a long time. It was a needed release.

I’ve also been staring at descending airplanes close to my house. Air France, British Airways, Arik, The Nigerian, KLM etc. They all pass by at thirty minutes intervals during the day, and ten to fifteen minutes interval at night. I kinda like it. It beats bird watching, and I keep imagining who is in each of them, and what is going through their minds, some of them arriving in Nigeria either for the first time, or for the first time in years. So many dreams in the belly of an aircraft.

Plus, all the other pictures from Badagry that I wanted to share with you are still locked in the belly of my Dell. Tomorrow, maybe, and a few other interesting guest-posts. Watch out.

I did tell you I had nothing to say, right? I hope you had a nice day. I did. See you later.

Silence was published on June 10th, 2010, with the tags , , under the Observations, Soliloquy category. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.