Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the day but blowing off some steam felt cathartic and alleviated any tension that had been
building.
With a renewed mindset, I joined the main road and immediately started to look at
thingswithahalf-fullattitude:therewaslittletraffic,thetemperaturewasmuchcoolerand
the views were becoming more noteworthy. Even the condition of the road had improved
tremendously with only a few rough spots which at least helped to control the speed of the
traffic.
I arrived in Ikom where the Irish priest gave me lunch but didn't permit me to stay
because of the Church's proximity to the border. Instead, he recommended that I cross into
Cameroon that day. I decided against it and instead went to the first church I passed as I
enteredthetown.ImettheNigerianpriest,FatherAlphonsusandhewelcomedmewithout
hesitation. He offered me a large room with a fan, some cake, a Coke and tea. He was ex-
tremely engaging in conversation for he was articulate, highly educated and had quite the
sense of humour. I asked him the following question which brought him to laughter, “Why
wasit that every time Iarrived inavillage, people wouldline the roadandstart laughing?”
Tobehonest,Icouldn'tunderstandwhatwassofunnyandIwasgettingannoyedwithmy-
self for this disconnect.
Hesaidthattheywerenotlaughing at mebutwereinsteadexpressingtheirdisbelief
on seeing a “white man on a bicycle”. They couldn't understand why I was not being
chauffeur-driven in an air-conditioned Mitsubishi Pajero. That was my 'aha' moment. I
guess it would be like seeing someone on a mule drawn cart doing FedEx deliveries in
downtown Toronto. My reaction probably would have been the same.
Since the next day was the last Sunday before Advent, the feast day of Christ the
King, I asked Father Alphonsus if I could spend the day and join in the festivities. He was
more than happy and told me that the service was at 9:00 a.m. After attending the mass, I
joined the congregation as they made a procession up the main road and through some of
Search WWH ::




Custom Search