It’s December again, and I decide to
Take a walk out of my room in search
Of food.
It isn’t something that happens every time,
But I’m reminded of my law school days
When I had to take some long lonely walks
Whenever I find myself all alone in the room.
The Lagos campus has been mostly famous
For being situate in the economic centre of
West Africa. Victoria Island.
If you’ve heard of anyone talk about the
Island, then you’ll know that it isn’t a place
That’s meant for everyone.
Better said, it’s mostly ‘reserved’ for some
Settled few within the society.
With streets/roads like Alfred Rewane,
Adeola Odeku, Adeyemo Alakija, Adeola Hopewell,
And the ever buzzling Muri Okunola Park, you’ll
Know for sure that aside lands and buildings,
The Island is mostly famous for one thing.
Food!
The campus was on festive break, and for
Better reasons I couldn’t easily explain, I
Decided to stay back in the campus hostel
For the holidays.
Fifteen thousand naira. That’s what I had to
Pay for accommodation during the course of
The two weeks break.
The school’s food court (known for it’s
Relatively low-priced food when compared
With restaurants in the environs) was equally
On break, and I had to resort to Kilimanjaro
For my lunch or dinner.
Due to the long walks and distance, the day
Time was spent with myself, and on few
Evenings, I would take a walk through Adeola
Hopewell in search of any Noodles selling mallam
So as not to die of hunger.
Aside the fact that I can’t cook, cooking in the
Campus was prohibited by the management;
Thus, everyone had to always buy food, or order
For one. You well know the difference in both.
Leaving Lagos as a whole for the capital
Of Eastern Nigeria, it seemed my food
Life would be quite easier, and perhaps
Cheaper.
Well, I thought wrong.
Not only is food almost the same price here,
The edibles I could easily point at on the
Island isn’t available on the menu list, leaving
Me with the Abacha nonsense and the beans
Plus roasted plantain mixture.
More importantly, the Sabbath day seems to
Be highly revered here, thus stores, hardly open
On Sundays – especially the neighboring stores.
Well, it’s December again, and I decide to
Take a walk out of my room.
You sure know what I’m looking for.
#PaGidiExpressions
