London-Amsterdam-Abuja LONDON-AMSTERDAM-ABUJA So I booked flights to my home country Nigeria as I had to attend my sister's wedding. The flight from London was fairly smooth except for the landing which one could vividly describe as extremely scary and bumpy. "KLM flight 1028, London to Amsterdam ........" echoed through the speakers in the cabin. We had landed. Taxiing through the run way, my mind still focused on the cows that littered the fields in the areas around the airport, I quickly yanked my thoughts out of cow counting and back into the zone. Passengers were disembarking. The very friendly air hostess smiled for the last time. I felt naughty as I wondered if I would see the smile again while thinking of my lovely fiancée, Sarah who was probably tucked up in lala land at home in London. SCHIPHOL AIRPORT Finding my way through the airport was a fairly interesting and easy task. In fact it was a given as all the signs where in English. However due to unfamiliar terrain it took a good 15 mins before I could find the nearest travelex to get some Euros. All done, I made my way down to the local train travel desk to get a train ticket for Amsterdam Central station. THE CURVY BLONDE. I scurried down to the platform to wait for my train. A blonde with the strongest looking legs and the hottest butt stood about a metre away. We gazed at each other briefly before the train Arrived. "Hi I'm Carly", she said gleefully. "It's a pleasure to meet you", I replied politely. "From where have you come"? She asked. "London" I replied. "How long are you in Town"? She continued. "Till Noon", I replied thinking of Sarah again. The suspected interrogation may just have been innocent banter as the Dutch have a reputation for being friendly but one could not underestimate the hopeful look in her eyes as she asked away. On the train she found a sit opposite me. I felt rude because I didn't play the gentleman who would normally allow a lady through the doors before allowing himself through. Surprised that she wasn't perturbed by my obvious rudeness I proceeded to engage in light banter with her till she got off at the stop before mine. "It was interesting flirting with you", I thought as she waved goodbye from the platform. AMSTERDAM CENTRAL Curvy blonde gone, me at amsterdam central, made it across the road just before the tram went through. Found myself sandwiched between coffee shops in a dingy alley. I smelled a familiar aroma. Yes! "The wailers' aroma." It filled the air with such pungency that resistance on my part became almost non existent. So I followed the scent right into one of the coffee shops. With the "weed menu" right on the counter I glanced through the list and helped myself to a 4 euro bag of "White witch" as I heard earlier when eaves dropping on a conversation where Mr A informed Mr B that "White witch was the bomb." THE BARMAID x 3. "Hmmm" I thought to my self as I snatched the bag from the attendant who also offered me free Rizlas to go with the "White witch". I was hoping for the bomb. There seemed to be some activity in another place across the road. The one with the neon lights on it's doors. So I proceeded to quench my curiosity and I wasn't disappointed as I found a nice spot where three chatty and sexy barmaids served and flirted with punters that looked like they held "White witches" between their fingers. Why not, I thought to myself. After all I've got till noon the next day so I might as well indulge. YULIA - Sounded like Julia. "Hey! You look like a stranger", She bellowed as I helped my self to one of the bar stools. "I am indeed", I replied. We played out the "where you from" scenario again. Only this time I asked her the same question. "I'm from Germany she said as she danced seductively to the music that pumped through the speakers overhead. The mood remained gleeful and surreal as "white witch" started to kick in. I remember one of the bar maid puffing on my "white witch" which she picked from the ash tray in front of me. Of course I consented as I've always imagined what smoking on the job would look like. "Would you like to come to a party with us", Yulia asked as she cleaned up the counter indicating they where about to close. "I'm afraid, I've got to catch a flight at noon and would need to catch some sleep at my hotel", I replied. She chuckled and stumbled down behind the bar. I noticed a muriel of an elephant on the wall which looked like it was about to come alive. It's mouth was open and for some reason it sounded like Yulias laughter was coming from it. Hmmmm "white witch" was at work. It was really "the Bomb." And it was really time to go to my hotel and catch some sleep. KLM flight 1029.... Amsterdam to Abuja.. Yes I made it to the airport in time for my flight to Abuja after some much needed rest. Hung over from a few drinks and of course "white witch".....

Gaia It was a warm September afternoon. The city of Azun looked deserted and the term "ghost town" echoed through my mind as we drove down the dusty streets of the Amina district. My Taxi driver had kept me occupied by asking countless questions about my trip. It had been 4 years since we last visited this place. Sadhu, my older sister has lived here all her #life apart from the period of her relatively short marriage. This visit calls for celebration and celebration it will be. As we drew closer to the house the city began to show more signs of #life. The music bellowing from Sadhu's abode gave an impression of a big party. I begin to realise that most of the residents were usually observing siesta at this time perhaps due to the immense heat. But on this day, my arrival would disturb the neighbourhood's peace. And it did. We partied deep into the night. Old friends and relatives were in attendance and there was plenty to eat and drink while dancing all night to loud music. Underneath all the glee, lay some very disturbing truths. Sadhu had recently been divorced, her husband has threatened to take her girls with him though at the time they still lived with their mother and she had out of anxiety started to meet with different men in the hope of finding a new husband. Divorcees are usually stigmatised in this society. This causes desperation and indeed #depression in recently divorced women. Sadhu was no exception. The next morning, I awoke to a cleaning up effort by Sadhu and friends after last nights mess. I found myself being an object of scrutiny in the eyes of my nieces, Gaia and Sona. Two sets of great big beautiful eyes staring at me and poking my legs with a stick perhaps in the hope of getting a reaction. "Who is this man that looks like mum", they must have thought. I remember thinking this was no place for young girls aged 3 and 4. The older Sona seemed not to care much about her fragile younger sister Gaia. Perhaps it was a sign if the condition in which they lived. I wasn't too sure. TO BE CONTINUED....