My Commute: the salute

In the past month, I have had to use public transport as my means of commute to work, and boy has that been interesting.

I have experienced varying emotions and made an array of observations – from the jarring realization that people hold their phones so recklessly to learning that I need to learn how to beg and how to protect your clothes and shoes throughout the commute. Today’s observation, standing out very strangely.

Pleased to announce that I will begin a series on my commute to work.

On that note, this series begins with today’s observation.

THE SALUTE!

Per usual, I’m seated in front (God has been kind + my size is favourable), along side a young girl whose guardian was sardine at the back because of this city’s four at the back norm.

This four at the back thing, I had attempted to inquire the rationale. According to the kind person that explained to me, it was birthed by the dearth of cars in the northern part of Nigeria and remote areas in the south like Eleme, where I first saw this scary thing of carrying four [usually] adult humans at the back.

So, I’ll think that the same thing applies to the FCT + a lot of people own cars here and I don’t even know. Whatever the case may be, it’s jarring and tiring, the inconvenience of it.

Anyhoo, to my observation. Sitting in front lets me enjoy my trips, I like to be an active participant in the activities I partake in.

As the cars swerved left and right, in the unruly way that can be the impatience of Nigerians rushing to their places of business, disrespecting traffic rules, I notice the traffic warden, a police man salute.

At the time, I had not seen what made him salute. It was even weird. Why are you saluting?

Quickly, I shifted by gaze better to the left where he stood, only to find this beautiful a army green Forerunner. This is the point where I say that the army green on vehicles is quite a sexy colour. A strange colour, yes. It all made sense when I averted my gaze to the number plate and boy oh boy, it was a Nigerian Army motor car. Little wonder the police man shot a salute, ignoring the fact that the very vehicle was overtaking from the left, violating traffic rules.

It was an interesting sight, not the ignoring traffic thing oo (I’m unfortunately immune to surprise from seeing nonsense on the road) but the swiftness with which the policeman shot the salute and the ideology that prompted that act.

It also showed the alertness with which security personnel operates. It frankly could have been missed + given my knowledge, I didn’t know that policemen saluted the army.

It’ll mean that I can tell security personnel on the road «esprit de corps», seeing as we all wear uniforms *rolls eyes*.

Let me know how easy this was to read – trying to ensure this.

Expect a piece on «I follow you hundred naira».

Pleine des bisous,

Road to Csuite Kari!