Alternate Vision

Dele and Tunde haven't changed one bit.They were understandably upset that it took me 3.5 years to return home. The three of us had a long drawn conversation about ILS ( my former school) and how it has changed over the years. The deputy principal seems to be screwing things over for the non-teaching staff. As Dele put it "She is a warrior woman."
We decided to run the risk and indulge in suya with beta peppe powder and Gulder ( the ultimate African beer). We have a competition going to see who will fall sick first. So far we have been consistent in keeping with our decadent policy to drink one bottle of wine with every meal. Chilean wine with some fried plantains, beans and rice for dinner tonight. Arun, Sid and Abhirath are flying in from Virginia, Indiana and Buffalo respectively this week. Arun has mapped out a plan for Friday night. Whatever happens, thanks to Jesse, I fear that we shall end up at Sanusi Fafunwa that night. I stumbled upon this magazine called Lagos-the city arts guide. Here's a poem that I am lifting from there, by Helon Habila a respected poet and a member of the Lagos Literati.

Bus stops

The hawkers are a blur in motion
Needle weaving through metal fabric
Yellow buses that come and go, their anaemic limbs
Joined each to each by rust, 69 seated, 99 standing.
Prehensible bus conductors monkey on and off running boards
Calling bus stops, places...
Plcaes I have walked on, live on, loved on,
Yaba, Ojuelegba, Ogba


Tomorrow morning, we shall go the University of Lagos to watch Mr Tanny ( a former lecturer and personal mentor) defend his masters thesis. Am reading The future of Africa by The New York Society for International Affairs. A seperate post shall be dedicated to my views and insights on the issue of Africa's socio-political and economical condition going into this century. One thing is certain, the desire to study either International affairs or developmental economics is mushrooming within me. Destiny will play its role, but I know I am better suited for a career in the non-profit sector. Am fixing up Yoruba classes with Mrs. Anaderan. Seemingly, she has a B.A in Yoruba. The price remains to be negotiated. Oo appa smells of fish, he just got back from the wearhouse.