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African Journal #8: The Amigas of Akwanga
April 16, 2008
When the sun set on Sunday evening, Zach and I were in the company of several volunteers and friends chowing on delicious spicy tilapia fish, cooked right off the outdoor grill and downed several Star beers at the Abuja Military Market. If visitors come to town, I’ll be sure to take them to this wonderful place situated outside of Abuja near the valleys. In a sense, it was Zach’s goodbye party, and we all gathered for some fun and music. There was even a folk singer that sung one of John Denver’s songs – something about The Road to Home. Fitting for a send-off for Zach, who after six weeks departs in several hours for America – the country he calls home. Burning the midnight oil, Zach and I had a great conversation and a bittersweet goodbye, then we went to bed and with the breaking dawn I bid Zach adieu.
Once he left the VSO flat, I sat on the couch in shock. I was truly on my own now. Despite the measures VSO has taken to ensure I am well looked after with an alternate intervenor waiting for me in Birnin Kebbi upon my return, it does not assuage my sadness over Zach and Erin’s departure. Zach’s presence in itself over the six weeks had truly impacted me on a spiritual and emotional level, he’s become a special friend and confidante. We’d gone through so much the past three weeks after Erin left – and bonded even more so. Now that he’s gone, I had to face the daunting task of moving on with my life and focusing on my upcoming travels and working solo in Birnin-Kebbi. Granted, Erin and Zach had helped my transition into Nigeria more smoother and increased my ability to be independent with networking and environmental information – but without them, I think I can take it from here and face challenges everyday and learn lessons from it.
After such an emotional day, I met up with Jane and Helen, two volunteers situated in Akwanga, 2 hours east of Abuja, at the flat and we set out to have some chop (food) at this delicious Lebanese place called AJ’s – absolutely heavenly. I had the most delicious chicken salad with chips – definitely a place I’ll return to when I’m ever in Abuja.
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria established only recently, close to 10 years old. Lagos, the port city in the South, used to be the capital city but the population grew past 10 million people and the government decided Nigeria needed a new capital city where tourists, politicians and expatriates would come and live in luxury. Buildings, shops, restaurants and clubs were upscale, it was in stark contrast to the shantytowns, tin houses and huts of villages outside Abuja.
After a refreshing visit to the VSO Nigeria Programme Office, I felt rejuvenated with all the words of encouragement and support from the office staff and set off to the Nya Nya motorpark with Jane and Helen. We found a car and we sped off to Akwanga where I would chill with my amigas for several days before returning to Abuja for an education forum with VSO.
Jane Brinson is a cool, collected Brit from Cardiff who was my In Country Training Program co-ordinator. She’s younger than me, but there’s an old soul inside of her. We hit it off during ICT and Jane’s been eager about learning sign language and understanding the wackiness that I always seem to embody. We’ve become instant close friends, and I consider her my lifelong pal – she’s so empathetic about my blindness and has been extraordinary about paying attention to details on how to guide me, communicating and listening.
Helen is one crazy, sweet, spiritual chica from Ireland whom I had met in Jos in the beginning of March for a PATCH meeting where all the VSO volunteers in Nigeria met up twice a year. Someone told me that Helen’s laughter was pretty loud, so I had to see for myself who this cool chica was. She and I bonded over our naughtiness and our philosophy on life, love and spirituality. Helen has studied the art of Raiki, a healing massage practice and has done one on me – it has influenced me to want to learn more about the art of healing, homeopathy and spiritual guidance. Helen and I also bonded over our dismal love lives, and we know that we are two incredibly strong and beautiful women who have waited so long to find the right kind of love – and we vowed we would eventually find it one day.
Last night, Jane invited Helen over for dinner at her flat, we had delicious carrot ginger soup and fresh salad – and great conversations on MS Word on my laptop. Makes for faster communication with hearing people!
Zach is a genius. He downloaded some of his African beat CDs on my laptop and it was perfect timing so I turned up the volume and Helen, Jane and I just danced and danced and danced in the living room, working up a sweat and burned thousands of calories! The light, cool breeze of Akwanga swept in the room and our bodies were in tune with the air and the music.
Now I’m at the College of Education in Akwanga, where vols Helen, Jane and David work – trying to grab as much time on the snail-like internet while NEPA’s still whirring…. Oh no. It just went out. Guess I’m going to have to wait a while until it comes back on to post this entry. Unpredictable! Makes me think about the times I wasted electricity unnecessarily back home in America or the times when I really needed it, it was there all the time. Now I’m playing it by electricity, but good thing my life doesn’t revolve around electricity. Internet runs on electricity but it can wait. This has taught me how to be extra patient and find other fun ways to kill time… such as doing this journal entry.
I’m off to cheer up my Akwanga amigas. They’re too precious for words. I’m blessed, really. Friendships that I have formed while here in Nigeria with volunteers, the communities and of course my lovely Erin and Zach – truly make my heart fill up with happiness and comfort. I don’t need material things – jewelery, clothes, money, luxury to get me through life, just my circle of friends and my sanity as well as my health is my luxury in life. See, this shopaholic has turned over a new leaf. Nigeria is truly life-changing. You should try worldwide volunteer work. Rewards are plentiful.
Tactile love, amigos y amigas.
Coco