This always happens to me too when I visit the country where my parents came from. There's that culture shock and the ultimate preparation as like stepping into a dream, except that dream is just another place with other people, and there are always new things you have to learn when you yourself lack those things by virtue of growing up across the sea. Great piece, loved the narrative voice you used here, it's snappy but contains that specific balance that reminds me of the liminality of airports and all the feelings they evoke.
Coming home is always such a strange experience. Especially when you are away for too long. Loved how you compared with the American experience at the end.
This post amused me so much. I genuinely dislike the Nigerian airport experience because of how much begging is involved and how guilty I feel, not being able to give to people who are in a different position in life, and not because they "deserve" it. My last trip to Lagos nearly nauseated me with the amount of inequality I witnessed.
haha I feel you, yeah the begging is out of control, and yet, we feel conflicted about it. My time in Lagos was wonderful. Seeing old faces, being around our own, and laughing everyday, made it worth it!
By the time the fifth guy got in my face, I re-downloaded my Lagos manual, adopting a stern scorn, and walked through the heart of them like I couldn't hear. (It worked. Of course, it did.)
I chuckled when I read this because it reminded me of the times when I've gone back to India and become "Indian Vinamrata." Lovely piece as usual, and I'm excited for the next Rusty Tobias story ;)
This always happens to me too when I visit the country where my parents came from. There's that culture shock and the ultimate preparation as like stepping into a dream, except that dream is just another place with other people, and there are always new things you have to learn when you yourself lack those things by virtue of growing up across the sea. Great piece, loved the narrative voice you used here, it's snappy but contains that specific balance that reminds me of the liminality of airports and all the feelings they evoke.
you get it!!! yes to the snappy voice haha, it wasn't an explicit, intentional choice but felt right for the storyline.
Coming home is always such a strange experience. Especially when you are away for too long. Loved how you compared with the American experience at the end.
This post amused me so much. I genuinely dislike the Nigerian airport experience because of how much begging is involved and how guilty I feel, not being able to give to people who are in a different position in life, and not because they "deserve" it. My last trip to Lagos nearly nauseated me with the amount of inequality I witnessed.
That being said, I hope you enjoy Lagos!
haha I feel you, yeah the begging is out of control, and yet, we feel conflicted about it. My time in Lagos was wonderful. Seeing old faces, being around our own, and laughing everyday, made it worth it!
By the time the fifth guy got in my face, I re-downloaded my Lagos manual, adopting a stern scorn, and walked through the heart of them like I couldn't hear. (It worked. Of course, it did.)
I chuckled when I read this because it reminded me of the times when I've gone back to India and become "Indian Vinamrata." Lovely piece as usual, and I'm excited for the next Rusty Tobias story ;)
haha thank you sister! I want to meet your Indian self