Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
My wakeup call at 5 a.m. was in the form of the generator being restarted. I made
my way to mass in the packed cathedral.
Afterwards, I thanked Father Alphonsus and headed for Barsara. The road had dis-
integrated to the point that it felt like I entered a motor-cross training area. It seemed that
each passing vehicle took an independent path depending on which potholes it could ne-
gotiate. It was on this road that I stopped to photograph St. Benedict's School (I went to
St. Benedict's in Toronto.) Once the children saw me, they stopped playing and ran to the
road's edge to say hello.
Shortly after passing the school, the road improved tremendously for a short while
and then returned to its dilapidated state.
Upon arrival in Barsara, which was slightly off the main road, I met an Irish priest,
Father Patrick who gave me a room without hesitation. He explained that he was respons-
iblefor26out-stations,
i.e.,
26villageswhichhevisitedonceamonthtocelebratemass.In
his absence, he appointed a catechist at each station to conduct prayer services. Over din-
ner, we talked about Nigeria's political and economic problems and he gave me an update
on how well that governor/priest was doing. Father Patrick explained how the governor
donated his residence, a mansion, to be converted into a hospital and how he would per-
sonally visit villages when they reported problems. If warranted, the governor would then
sendworkersthenextday…noredtape.Iwishedwehadmoreleaderslikethisbackhome!
After dinner, I returned to my room and listened to the chugging of the generator which sat
on the other side of the property. The rhythmic thumping of the engine came to an abrupt
stopandtheentireplacewasplungedintodarkness.ThenacalmingsilencesetinandIfell
asleep.
Aftermorningmass,Ipushedoffandmademywayalongadirtroadforthreekilo-
metresuntilthemainhighwaycameintoview.Justbeforemyarrival,Ihadaslightmishap
and fell off the bike slightly cutting my arm. After I shouted at the road to release my an-
ger, I immediately disinfected my wound. I wasn't sure why I reacted like that so early in
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