Through these travels, I learned two key lessons: First, most people are good.
The few bad experiences will never outweigh the good.
The second lesson I learned is that we are more similar than we are different.
So, if I am going to tell a single story, I seek to find the positive.
I travel with a lens of curiosity and a desire to understand what everyday life is like.
I am looking to learn rather than confirm biases.
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When traveling, and really in life, you will find what you are looking for.
If you look for joy, you will find joy.
If you look for beauty, you will find beauty.
Alternatively, if you seek misery, you will find that.
Life gives you what you seek.
What are you seeking?
Below, find my experience in Nigeria, the 108th of 195 counties Ive visited.
Anywhere in the world you meet an African person, they are likely Nigerian.
If Africa were a countryreminder, it is notLagos would be its heartbeat.
It is also home to a burgeoning tech and creative scene.
The massive city is divided into the mainland and several islands, including Victoria Island and Ikoyi.
I browsed Nigerian art at the Nike Centre, completely charmed by its namesake owner, Nike Davies-Okundaye.
I negotiated for a new bag in Lekki Market and ate delicious bites at Nok.
Lagos was a whirlwind, and it had me in its grasp.
We rushed back and searched frantically while trying to call my phone.
The phone rang and rang.
Finally, someone picked up but didnt speak.
We found ourselves in the middle of a neighborhood with no one in sight.
Feeling defeated, we went back to the cafe to look at security video footage.
Whomever had my phone had turned it off, eliminating any possibility of tracking it.
Thirty minutes later, we met the man with my phone.
It was clear he had not showered or eaten in days.
Toju gave him his phone number, telling him to call every day until he found a job.
The man never did call, but I believe karma is protecting this gentle soul.
I firmly believe in positive energy.
The universe brought my phone back to me.
Edited from an excerpt ofThe Catch Me While you’re able to, published June 14, 2022.
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