Ignore my stressed face, I had an early start of the day today because I had to be up before 5am to begin my trip to Benin city.
Writing this, I am already laughing at myself because in one of my post last year I talked about how I would only take flight if I had to travel with my baby just because I do not trust our Nigerian road and traffic jams, besides taking flights are more convenient, especially with a baby. Well, so I thought till Nigeria gave me no other choice.
My sister had surgery a few days ago and I was supposed to be with her way before the surgery but I couldn't get a flight from Lagos to Benin because the government ordered airlines to pause on their daily operations because of the lack and cost of jet fuel.
Someone I knew in the airport said some airlines are in operation but at a high cost. Why will I want to spend 90,000naira/ $150 to fly Interstate, a 30min flight? NO WAY.
I had to think of something else because I needed to be there for my sister, my hubby made some calls trying to get a private car to take me when we realized that one of our in-laws would be driving to Warri for an occasional by the weekend.
I wanted to go a day before the surgery which was Tuesday but I had to wait till Friday I could travel with them.
So yh ROAD TRIP
Sincerely this has been one of my best rides in a long time. I remember my days of public transport, (lol like it wasn't a year ago)God is good, Efex executive, iyare motors, no matter how much you get promised comfort, something, or a fellow passenger must always ruin the experience.
Not today...because I completely enjoyed my ride, the car Has so much space, totally confortable, my baby slept more than halfway through the journey and it was just a 4hr drive; 6 am- 10 am. Shocking right!! So was I, we were all talking and. Laughing and the next thing I hear is we are in Benin city, where can I drop you off
Anyhow I made it straight to the hospital first, spent the whole afternoon with my sister before I had to go home. I couldn't stay because of my baby. Thankfully the surgery was a success, she is finally pain-free..it is an exciting win for me too because I help her carry her pain every other month, it was almost a constant cycle of pain, till she got the right diagnosis and now it is over. It was amazing to see my sister smile so excitedly again. She didn't even mind the pain because she had faced the worst pain. And this strength is the reason she has been approved to be discharged early.
I don't know if I miss this town Benin city, maybe just the food though because everywhere you turn trust to see a food vendor, hawking or pushing food( mama put), or a shop or an exotic restaurant but there is just food everywhere for everyone, trust me not to go home without stopping by to get some yummy delicacy.
I have been seeing the review of a place called HOME&AWAY, everyone on my contact who stays in Benin seems to have eaten there. It was my first stop before heading home and trust me the meal was a hit.
I got coconut rice ( been awhile), beans-pudding(moimoi), and turkey, had to get seafood okro for my dad too, I heard he hasn't eaten well since mum had to stay with my sister in the hospital.
It's good to be back in the town of my birth😂, even though the network is shit, there is no light, and the weather is extremely hot, Itstill feels good to see my family.
Happy weekend guys
All pictures were taken by me👌