In my secondary school, we do write our school leaving exams in our head school, which is in another state. The head school is in Lagos, while the annex (my school) is in Ogun state. The two states are close to each other. To take exams, it was mandatory for all students to go to Lagos for the exams. .
The school wouldn't provide transport for us, we will be the ones to sort ourselves out. Theirs is just to see us in the exam hall. Failure to write the exams, that will yield to an extra year.
The fastest means of transportation from my school to the one in Lagos is by Train. This meant that we all had to travel through train transport. Though road transport can be fast if there is no hold up. But as students, we prefer the rail transport because it is free for students.
We experienced a lot of things during that exam period. Like getting to the train station and seeing that the train just took off. Sometimes, we'll run and jump on the train, while sometimes, we'll have no other option than to go take a bus. If the exam time isn't too early and we know we can make it if we wait for another train, we will wait by the railway station and start playing, till the train comes.
On the train you'll see people buying and selling, shouting, running, shouting, jumping, shouting, playing cards, fighting, eating, food stalls, most of them use the luggage racking above their heads as a bed. I keep clamouring on shouting because that is what they do most. There is never a moment of silence on the train.
The first time I entered the train, I was very scared. The train was crowded with students and adults and that was the only time I noticed them clearly. Lot of traders were there to sell things - notebooks or pencils or rubber bands etc. Some would be making cards from polythene sheets.
Few would make paper balls from the same polythene sheets to earn a few naira extra to spend on snacks etc. There were more interesting things - some had toothpicks which they put in plastic covers to prevent them from getting wet.
Well, you need to beware of the pickpocket. That first day, One among my friends had his wallet stolen by someone. But that’s not the only thing to fear.
There are many people on a train. There are those who are making babies, there are those who are making out, and there are those who do lot of things in corner without any shame.
Some people absolutely cannot stand in place. They’re busy moving from one end of the train to another. Some people fall asleep on anyone’s laps, and some people actually doze off despite the noise.
There is one man that sells herbs and soap on the train. Everyone knows that man, as he comes on train everyday to sell his products. This man is what we call the life of the party.
Unlike other traders, He is very funny and jovial. He had a unique way of selling his products. He composed a song which goes thus:
"Jedi nse yin, owa Lara yin. Era Jedi, eyin Omo Ile iwe, te man la sweet..."
Which means...
"Students, come and buy herb, you eat sweets a lot, it will help you fight pile..."
The man was so popular that everyone on the train sings the song along with him. Unconsciously, me and my friends learnt the song and started singing along with the man as time went on.
These stuffs made those train journeys more interesting.
Image source: kwan fung on unsplash
We had lot of experiences on the train those days. I will have to think a bit hard to remember all of them.
During those journeys we got an opportunity to learn so many things. We got an opportunity to see life of people at its extreme points: poverty stricken, wealth inculcated and everything in between.
We had an opportunity to observe what people carry with themselves when they go from one place to another. We had an opportunity to make ourselves aware of things we need, things we don't need and the courage to say no to those things we don't need.
To me those train journeys are like stories that we can cherish forever.
Funny part is that, during those journeys, we never get bored because of this entertainment and learning activity on our way back home.
Thanks for reading ❤️
