My big sister asked me at the end of October before I went for my NYSC camp training in November 1st if I had done my international passport, I replied "not yet." "You have missed the opportunity then", she answered back.
"Which opportunity, sis?" I asked curiously.
"There is this opportunity to travel to Benin Republic, Cotonou precisely which is the southern part of Benin Republic to enjoy this December period and you are allowed to go with a person and I could afford for 2 of us but since you don't have a passport, I am sorry for you." She frankly told me.
She said I needed a yellow fever card and a fee of #200,000 for an individual, so going with another person would cost #400k which she could afford and chose me to go with her. This Yellow Fever card cannot be gotten without having an international passport.
I felt so sad and blamed myself for missing such an opportunity. I could have had the chance to travel with her if I hadn't taken the passport for granted. Now, she has gone on vacation and will be leaving today, she spent 3 days touring the land of Cotonou and stayed back for another 3 days in Ouidah, Benin just to relax well. How I wished I could get my passport done at that moment. She even asked if I could do it, especially requesting an express passport which would require a lot of money. I checked my account and had the money but it was for another responsibility especially since I was going for nysc camping. I couldn't use it. I told her that I wouldn't miss this opportunity next year and it's necessary I do it on time because the opportunity can come again and it would be painful to lose it again.
Getting a passport is one of my top goals for 2024 which I am not taking for granted.
But in a situation where I am told to make a wish during this holiday where I can go and do a solo vacation, it will be going to Cotonou without a passport or yellow fever card since it's a wish that would be granted. Ever since my sister mentioned that particular place, I have had it in mind to visit and I even asked if the opportunity is a yearly one and she replied that I can go anytime I want to if I have the money. This is my wish!
I want to be somewhere peaceful, fulfilled and a beautiful place where I can forget anything about worry and enjoy the holiday while embracing the atmosphere that comes with peace within. A perfect place to release the tension but to be clouded with joy and excitement of the season while remembering that the season is for our saviour because I wouldn't want to miss that aspect of the reason for the celebration.
My sister kept sending different pictures which made me jealous and thinking in my mind about how I missed such an opportunity because I wasn't too serious since the beginning of the year to get my passport. Perhaps, I was waiting for the right time? There is no right time and any time can be right so long we take a step to get something. Who knows when an opportunity will surface? This is why it is risky to take things with levity hands when we could have done something while being on the safer side.
It would be my utmost happiness if my wish could be granted at the moment without my passport or yellow card and everything is available for me to take on the trip. Maybe this will stop my instincts from blaming me for a missed chance that could have happened smoothly and easily.
