Once, I had a driver that was constantly going on about how he must travel to the "overseas" and leave Nigeria behind. His dreams amused me and I couldn't bring myself to burst his bubble so I'd sit at the back of the car and listen to him ramble on about all the things he'd do when he got to the "overseas". Now? He's dead. He used our pool one late night when no one was at home and drowned. May his soul rest in peace but that story is for another day.
Today, after my rant in my last post about being done with Lagos, I can't help thinking about the "overseas" and the xenophobia attacks in SA. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to travel to some amazing places but all have led me to a nice little conclusion.
King Solomon was right, there is nothing new under the sun. Nada. Absolutely nothing.
Yes, when you travel, the food, the actual sights may be new to you but you've seen the problems and people (maybe with different bodies and skin colours) a thousand times. Venice was particularly eye opening. I walked past a group of people talking about how corrupt their government is and what they must do to deal with their corrupt leaders and I couldn't help but smile. Miles away from Lagos but there I was, listening to the same discussion I had heard over and over again. Only in a different language, about a different country and with gorgeous men talking.
What about Moscow? Please don't even get me started. Nigeria is in a state right now but so is every other country on this earth. None of them are as sorted as they claim to be, they've just learnt to cover up their messes better than us. To an extent, yes I want to be done with Lagos, but can I ever truly be? At the end of the day, it's the only place I really have. We just have to learn to cover our messes better because if we are being completely honest, evil doesn't only triumph in Lagos, it triumphs all over the world.
That's all. For now.
With all my love,
Dara Rhodes
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