KENNY AT THE BIG BEN
It’s been like a week now that I concluded my 6-week vacation from work. The break from work was much needed for me because it was supposed to give me the opportunity to visit places and see faces both old and new ones outside my work environment. You know there are times you get so used to seeing the same set of people almost everyday and you just long for a change, not because they are not loved or beautiful but just for the sake of adventure and variety. That was my situation.
Early into the year, I had decided I was going on a summer holiday to the UK to visit some of my old school mates basically to catch up on old times and also to find out whether all we hear about London is actually true, is it really heaven on earth? That was one of the questions I intended to find out.
At exactly 11:00pm, my plane took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport heading for the London Airport at Gatwick. Visiting the UK was a big deal for me perhaps because it was my first time and I had dreamt of being there all my life. Would you blame me? We all know we live in a society where ‘have-been-tos’ are regarded as a special class of people. For the guys who have traveled, they call them ‘big boys’. You are accorded unusual esteem once people find out you have been to any country abroad. I don’t blame them too. It is all because of the poor impression we have about our home country. But all that is going to change because meaningful and relentless attempts are currently being made to re-invent the Nigeria image. I am glad I am part of the critical mass that is required to cause an eventual concrete change.
FRIEND ON BOARD
I boarded Virgin Nigeria airline and I must say that I enjoyed a fantastic customer service. Call it, in the words of Brian Sher, a reputable investment coach, ‘Magic Experience’. I enjoyed every bit of the journey, from the air hosts and hostesses to the meal served, the movies mention it. It was a Superior customer experience. The hosts and hostesses were well-mannered and refined. The ladies among them were a perfect specimen of beauty and finesse. I was tantalized by their poise and human relations. The excitement started when I woke up at about 2 am and noticed Bisi, a very good friend I met while I was serving the nation in Bayelsa State, he was one of the air hosts! We talked for hours and laughed about some of the escapades we did together during our service year. After which, I returned to watch some movies.
At about 5:30am, the weather suddenly changed (at least so I felt) I knew we were in London already; I quickly looked out through the window to see if I would see the acclaimed Big Ben. Even though, I didn’t see it what I saw was equally overwhelming; such a beautiful landscape obviously different from the one I saw at home in so many ways. Subsequently, the plane landed at the Gatwick Airport and as it taxied, what filled my heart was gratitude to God for giving me the grace to make it to the UK safely. Imagine! London, here I come! I was absolutely enraptured with ecstasy. Shortly after the landing, we proceeded for the normal check in (you know, protocols) after which I was driven by my friend, Zachman, to Luton where I would be putting up through out my stay period in the UK. On our way home, I just couldn’t help but to gaze at the picturesque view of the streets of London and was equally fascinated by the navigation software that directed us home with the aid of a GPS (Global Positioning System), I suppose.
On getting home, I went to bed and slept so soundly. You can imagine the kind of dream I had, call it dream in dreamland.
MY VISIT TO GREENWICH
After about 2 days at Luton, I had to visit some other friends in Dagenham and Charlton. I equally seized the opportunity to visit the Greenwich park. It was a worthwhile experience for me, principally because Goh Cheng Leong’s work (All Geography students would recall that name) came alive to me, I actually saw the Royal Observatory centre live at Greenwich. It was exclusively located about 6 minutes walk away from the park entrance gate. I saw several things I had read some years back in secondary school. The experience was simply awesome.
One other thing that also tickled my fancy was the fact that I witnessed civilization in the real sense of it. Civilization, I believe, is not a thing of the mouth but of the mind. It is a mentality. The Britons are very civilized in the real sense of the word. You could see it in their conduct, comportment and mannerisms. I dream of a day when we, Nigerians, would begin to conduct ourselves like the Britons do most especially in traffic conditions.
I still much to share about the lovely people I met at Epsom Surrey, my escapades with some friends at the Alton Towers, and of course, on how I almost missed my way at Euston as well as about my experience at Rhema Chapel in London. Stay with me.
To be continued.
It’s been like a week now that I concluded my 6-week vacation from work. The break from work was much needed for me because it was supposed to give me the opportunity to visit places and see faces both old and new ones outside my work environment. You know there are times you get so used to seeing the same set of people almost everyday and you just long for a change, not because they are not loved or beautiful but just for the sake of adventure and variety. That was my situation.
Early into the year, I had decided I was going on a summer holiday to the UK to visit some of my old school mates basically to catch up on old times and also to find out whether all we hear about London is actually true, is it really heaven on earth? That was one of the questions I intended to find out.
At exactly 11:00pm, my plane took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport heading for the London Airport at Gatwick. Visiting the UK was a big deal for me perhaps because it was my first time and I had dreamt of being there all my life. Would you blame me? We all know we live in a society where ‘have-been-tos’ are regarded as a special class of people. For the guys who have traveled, they call them ‘big boys’. You are accorded unusual esteem once people find out you have been to any country abroad. I don’t blame them too. It is all because of the poor impression we have about our home country. But all that is going to change because meaningful and relentless attempts are currently being made to re-invent the Nigeria image. I am glad I am part of the critical mass that is required to cause an eventual concrete change.
FRIEND ON BOARD
I boarded Virgin Nigeria airline and I must say that I enjoyed a fantastic customer service. Call it, in the words of Brian Sher, a reputable investment coach, ‘Magic Experience’. I enjoyed every bit of the journey, from the air hosts and hostesses to the meal served, the movies mention it. It was a Superior customer experience. The hosts and hostesses were well-mannered and refined. The ladies among them were a perfect specimen of beauty and finesse. I was tantalized by their poise and human relations. The excitement started when I woke up at about 2 am and noticed Bisi, a very good friend I met while I was serving the nation in Bayelsa State, he was one of the air hosts! We talked for hours and laughed about some of the escapades we did together during our service year. After which, I returned to watch some movies.
At about 5:30am, the weather suddenly changed (at least so I felt) I knew we were in London already; I quickly looked out through the window to see if I would see the acclaimed Big Ben. Even though, I didn’t see it what I saw was equally overwhelming; such a beautiful landscape obviously different from the one I saw at home in so many ways. Subsequently, the plane landed at the Gatwick Airport and as it taxied, what filled my heart was gratitude to God for giving me the grace to make it to the UK safely. Imagine! London, here I come! I was absolutely enraptured with ecstasy. Shortly after the landing, we proceeded for the normal check in (you know, protocols) after which I was driven by my friend, Zachman, to Luton where I would be putting up through out my stay period in the UK. On our way home, I just couldn’t help but to gaze at the picturesque view of the streets of London and was equally fascinated by the navigation software that directed us home with the aid of a GPS (Global Positioning System), I suppose.
On getting home, I went to bed and slept so soundly. You can imagine the kind of dream I had, call it dream in dreamland.
MY VISIT TO GREENWICH
After about 2 days at Luton, I had to visit some other friends in Dagenham and Charlton. I equally seized the opportunity to visit the Greenwich park. It was a worthwhile experience for me, principally because Goh Cheng Leong’s work (All Geography students would recall that name) came alive to me, I actually saw the Royal Observatory centre live at Greenwich. It was exclusively located about 6 minutes walk away from the park entrance gate. I saw several things I had read some years back in secondary school. The experience was simply awesome.
One other thing that also tickled my fancy was the fact that I witnessed civilization in the real sense of it. Civilization, I believe, is not a thing of the mouth but of the mind. It is a mentality. The Britons are very civilized in the real sense of the word. You could see it in their conduct, comportment and mannerisms. I dream of a day when we, Nigerians, would begin to conduct ourselves like the Britons do most especially in traffic conditions.
I still much to share about the lovely people I met at Epsom Surrey, my escapades with some friends at the Alton Towers, and of course, on how I almost missed my way at Euston as well as about my experience at Rhema Chapel in London. Stay with me.
To be continued.
*** IF YOU CAN SEE IN THE SPIRITUAL, YOU CAN NEVER BE BOUND IN THE PHYSICAL ***
