Okay, I'm back again with my brave travel stories.
Last week I made a post about me being hodophobic and my travel to Enugu. A travel that took me weeks to plan, strategize before executing. Lol, sounds like I'm exaggerating things right?. But that's to tell you how hard it is for me to travel most times.
I was asked by someone if I've ever tried traveling by air and how I felt about it and if I've phobia of traveling in the air too.
Well, the truth is I have not traveled by air before so I can not tell if I have fears for that one too. I hope to travel one day by air.
So today I'm back again with my story. This time to let you guys in on my return trip. Actually this time the scare wasn't because of my phobia, (maybe phobia included) but my scare majorly was because of the kind of car I boarded.
I had an appointment which I was going to keep yesterday morning. I planned that after that appointment, and if I was able to finish in time I'll travel back to Uyo that same day. I was delayed by who I was to meet and ran an hour later than I had planned leaving Uyo.
I still decided to take the journey back home. I got to the park around 5pm and the last bus had left. I was left with returning tomorrow. Or joining a private car which was at the park loading.
I considered the insecurities in the country at the moment and was scared.
"I'm a priest". The driver said to me. "I just come here after my sojourn in Enugu, instead of driving empty back to Uyo I pick people and make some money too".
I laughed, "Sir, it's not about being a priest, the country isn't safe anymore" I replied to the hefty fair man in his late forties.
"If your faith doesn't align with entering my car, no problem" he replied.
I checked my clock again and it was getting darker. I had to choose between taking the risk or spending another night in Enugu which means extra 6000bnaira hotel bills. I decided to take the risk.
Since I was the last to board the car I was to seat in-between two other guys more hefty than I am at the back of the car. That increased my fear and worsened the whole thing but I held onto my chaplet and prayed for safety.
Few minutes into the drive I was sweating. Imagine you having to fight your phobia and fear of not being kidnapped altogether 😂. Every crazy move from anybody signaled danger to me.
I kept being strong till the drivers phone rang I peeped on who was calling and on the phone the caller was saved as "Ven. Rev John" that was where I believed truly that the driver was a priest and I relaxed through the rest of the journey.
Am I gonna take such risk again?
Not even in my wildest dreams. I rather spend another night at the hotel than risk my life.
Did I get home safe?
Sure and on time too. I remembered the driver asking me when I alighted.
"I thought you were scared of joining me?"
"Don't blame me sir I'm trying to be careful" I replied.
"Well I saw you as a responsible guy and didn't want you to run around the park looking for a bus. You might end up with the wrong hands. That's why I told you I was a priest so you could join me."
"In your fear learn to be decisive" he added.