In contrary to the image of life I was depicting within my mind before the departure, life here is so peaceful. A large swimming pool with clear water is in front of me. I can see tennis court, well maintained lawn and tropical trees and flowers from my sheet.. aw paradise Nigeria.
Well. in fact I am evacuating temporary in a facility of an international research institute in Ibadan, which was established by government assisance of America (that is, of course a swimming pool and lawns equipped. In fact about 1000ha of this huge research station maintains the most beautiful landscape in Nigeria in American way) in order to cure my bad cold I got BEFORE the plane landed the Lagos airport.. shame. I couldn't communicate with humans for a week with my voice lost. According to a family of a researcher who kindly accommodate me here in their house tells me, though, most of students coming in Nigeria are sick when they arrive here since so many physical and mental stress were BEFORE they get in...(because of the tough preparation)
So I am so much looking forward to getting out of this sanctuary to face so called REAL NIGERIA, the world in the other side of huge walls iron wires separating it from this unrealistic place.
This photo I took in the town of Ibadan, the second biggest cities in Nigeria next to Lagos. And as you may or may not know, Nigeria has the biggest population in African continent as far as I recognize (0.15 billion) People are so fashionable and women especially look so beautiful here.
As I am used to live in unclean towns with unstable electricity or other modern facilities, Nigeria is for me quite a "developed" place in terms of economy. Everyone use mobile and commerce is active. (that is, they have a cash income) The town I will stay in Niger state has a hospital hotels and internet cafe.
Also I found myself being quite comfortable with being among colors (though it seems I am stood out among others as an Asian). Almost since childhood I always have felt that the world and lifestyle built upon the value system of "westerners" or "wanna-be-western society and economy" makes me feel uncomfortable. Why? I guess because it kind of letting us chase only the surface of western society without thinking the meaning of culture, community and even individual life we could appreciate in a fairer way, if without such strong influence.
Although western civilization is deeply built within my life and myself as I am typing this keyboard to express my opinion to my friends and families, I also regain a part of myself by putting myself in an another side of the world. This is the comfort I felt in many places, in India, Panama, Indonesia and several other places. I feel comfortable of knowing there are lives and values different from the mainstream, that we don't well understand unless we are exposed to it.
Well I am a person who cannot be settled within a mold made by somebody or, by a system in a society I belong to. So I should think the same thing toward Nigerian society if I am raised here.
By seeing other's life with a totally different shape but with a common components as mine, by seeing their life with a sharp sensation since unnecessary surface decoration is not attached to it, I retreive somewhat a sense of life. This is one of the reason why I always like to travel and live in so-called "developing countries".
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