Naija (nigeria)

Naija (Nigeria)

The seas swelled and parted there different directions, to open my heart to a new and unknown land. I lunge myself in the dirty deserts of Nigeria, claiming them as mine and settling amongst the motherland. The land was rough and rugged yet, it was masked by beauty and the ways of my ancestors. My trip to the country of Nigeria expanded my cultural experience, provided cultural establishment, and raised my awareness of the crisis people have to comply with on a daily basis.

To begin with, my trip to Nigeria contributed a new flavor of cultural experience. When I arrived, there was an immediate trigger from the atmosphere I was in, that caused me to start changing my behavior and begin adapting to my new home. The people are very charismatic and intricate. Some people have patterns that can be exposed to such greatness, and be revealed as something so magnificent. The heights of poverty do not detract from people's smiles. I was engulfed by traditional foods that I had missed ever since I was a kid. I ate everything I could get my hands on just to try the new swirl of flavors. Every time I had something new, I would dance about with the most joyous look upon my face: a look of gratitude and satisfaction. I took the plunge into a diverse culture and came out with the greatest experience of my life.

Another positive effect of my time in Nigeria is actually getting the chance to return to my homeland, and having the opportunity to get back in touch with my roots. It warmed my heart because I was able to reconnect with several different family members that I hadn't seen since age seven. They opened their arms and welcomed me with love, family history, and a non-formal induction. In the village, I participated in different events that were bound to the way of life in Naija. For example, a minute before New Years, we prayed to God for delivering us from the last year into the new year. My final task in Nigeria consisted of me obtaining my passport, so I would have dual citizenship. Since I got my passport and established myself as a Nigerian, I concluded my trip knowing that, that was my home.

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