ktravula – a travelogue!

Ilorin

I’m in the University town of Ilorin, having the time of my life in the midst of old friends that I last saw in Ibadan years ago. Right now, we are watching the Uruguay-Germany game at a bar. Paul the German Octopus has predicted that Germany would win, but right now, Uruguay is leading with two goals to one. I wonder how this would end. Something tells me that we might see an Octopus peppersoup dish by this time tomorrow.

I have been to the University of Ilorin. I went there today for the very first time. We tried to see the dam which was not far from the gate but we were turned back by the security folks who said they were acting on instructions of the Vice-Chancellor. Why five young men might be a threat to a University dam is still beyond my comprehension, but I was able to at least get some shots. The University is a nice place. Far more beautiful than the Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba Akoko. But I had a very nice time in the house of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the AAU. He has a nice family too.

I have left the German and Taiwanese linguists from SOAS behind in Ikare where we last parted. They will be proceeding to a village called Ikakumo, and later Ayere later in the week. I on the other hand will move on towards Kaduna, and wherever else until I get broke, bored or disinterested. Right now, everything is going well. I’ve had moin-moin, ponmo and some drinks. And right as I’m typing this, Germany has equalized, and the scores is 2-2.

I’d better get back to watching the game before I miss all the action. Of course, there are many photos to share. Greetings from the Nigerian countryside. How have you been?

Ilorin was published on July 10th, 2010, with the tags , , , , , , under the adventures, Observations category. There are currently 7 comments on this article so far.

Morning in Ife

I’m on a quasi-field trip around some rural cities in Nigeria along with two linguists from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. I have been out of internet access for a few days now and might be for a little while more. I will do all I can to keep updating this blog as often as I can, but I can’t promise that it will be every day. I do have my own internet connection but this trip is proving to be a new adventure in discovering just how much “national coverage” the so-called internet service providers have.

I’ve been in Ife for a few days now, and I will be in Akungba tomorrow. I’m heading northwards and northwards until I reach whoknowswhere ;), or I get tired and decide to head back. Thanks to all who asked after me, and those who never left the blog even for one day. This is heart-warming. Greetings from Ife, the acclaimed source of the Yoruba nation. See you around.

Picture of Opa Oranmiyan, taken yesterday

Morning in Ife was published on July 8th, 2010, with the tags , , , under the Academic, adventures, Travelling category. There are currently 6 comments on this article so far.

Exhibition in Ibadan

There is an ongoing exhibition at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan about “Nigeria at 50”. The photos there show the different celebratory events of the independence year 1960, especially those by “ordinary” citizens. There was one with a woman in an ankara wrapper branded with the independence logo, and with two small flags on the bag she carried on her head. There are also several other images of political leaders in different positions all around the country.

Along with the exhibition is a conference organized by IFRA, the Institute of African Studies, and the University of Ibadan where papers are being presented by participants from all around the world, including Sola Olorunyomi, David Oshorenoya Esizimeor, Adoyi Onoja,  and Regane Buck Barden among many others.

The event has brought up valid questions about the need for record keeping about moments in our history. The conference with the exhibition ends on July 7th.

Exhibition in Ibadan was published on July 6th, 2010, with the tags , , , under the Academic, Observations category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

The Twelfth Month

This is a scheduled post as I am not online at the moment. Please refer to the previous post.

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Here are twenty-two posts, two randomly selected from each of the last preceding months. They are not my favourites, but they are some of the most memorable for the months. It took me valuable time deciding on which two make the cut this time since I had about forty-six to choose from. There are so many of them that I loved but had to leave behind. Enjoy these, and if you can, please leave comments on them. Happy Fourth of July to readers in the United States.

Travelling June 9.

A Case for Blogging June 5

Time Lapse May 3

Eighteen Bottles May 21

Literally Disengaging April 11

A Different Kind of Hoe April 20

Sauce for the Gander March 21

Tuesday March 16

Mardi Gras, St. Louis February 14

An American in England February 25

iSkits January 28

Just Like Old Times January 11

I Was Very Close December 9

On That Nigerian Guy December 27

A Soup and a Yam November 25

Thinking Back November 1

Pumpkin October 12

It’s Global Warming, Stupid October 12

Hollow Friday September 13

The Second Class September 3

Discovering Scott Joplin August 26

Mosquito August 15

The Twelfth Month was published on July 4th, 2010, with the tags , under the Soliloquy category. There are currently no comments on this article so far.

A Break

For some reasons beyond my control, I will be going offline for a few days (hopefully not weeks) from today. I won’t be able to update the blog until such a time until I get the issue resolved. Hopefully it won’t be for too long. If you need me, I’ll still be available to check my email occasionally so you may reach me at kt@ktravula.com. Please vote in my new poll to your right, and tell me what you think.

In the meantime, here are a few old picture posts. Enjoy.

Desertification June 1.

Time Lapse May 3

Defying Gravity November 23

Badagry June 8

Following Lincoln April 29

You should also check out Kiibaati.wordpress.com where a poet is taking new liberties with imagination.

A Break was published on July 3rd, 2010, with the tags , , , under the Art, Fun, News category. There are currently 2 comments on this article so far.