One of the sweet things about life is the privilege and opportunity to have a "first." Say, first time doing this or that, going here or there, getting this or that. Certainly, it's a wonderful feeling. While some of such experiences could seem scary or unpalatable at first, others are outrightly captivating and soothing, to say, right from the start or thought of it. Nevertheless, the end point of whatever case it is—being captivating or unpalatable—is that it leaves the individual with a fresh new experience, one that will remain memorable. A first time is always a remembered one.
The experiences of a "first time" is nothing far fetched from the realities of any individual. We did have some without even knowing—the first cry, first bath, first sleep, surely they are things we can't remember now, howbeit, we did them.
Coming then to the stage where we become conscious and perhaps responsible for our actions, it would be said that we've come to have many, many "firsts." First time walking school, first time bathing ourselves, first time crossing the road, first time reading a book, first time cooking a meal, and a whole lot of other conscious "first times."
This leads me to one "first time" I can't forget, and will be worth sharing. It was a stage where I was still a little one—you could say that, though I was in primary four or so. On a good and faithful day, daddy announced we were going on a journey; a journey to where he works to spend the holiday. He wanted us to have a new experience, which was a very nice idea, considering how little or no experience of other places I and my siblings had. So, it was obviously huge for us the children.
At that point in our life, we've only been privileged to have traveled within the confines of the local government and to a large extent, the state. Even though we had gone beyond the boundaries of the state to another nearby, it was just like passing one's hands through the window to shake someone's hand outside. It was like not really traveling at all. And then this news came, so you can guess the excitement. We all—the children—waited keenly for the arrival of that day, for a new experience.
On the said day to travel, we made all preparations, set things ready and set off in a boarded vehicle. While we were used to a one hour, two hours journey, this one became extremely long and tiring. All we wanted was to see and experience the new place but it seemed to not be forthcoming.
It seemed far and far as we journeyed along. At a point, my brother had to enquire from my dad if we were going to heaven or somewhere. The road seemed to be hilly, that prompted his curiosity as to where exactly we were going. After about a number of seven hours at least, we finally arrived, in the night. The curious ones had slept off even.
It was a memorable experience for me. That counted my first time having a big travel. The eye catching scenery while we journeyed was wonderful, it added to the joy of the journey. We received some enlightenment and lessons even while on the journey, some which remains memorable today. It was indeed a first time big travel.
This is my entry for the Hive Naija weekly prompt 94.
Images are mine.
