Many times, I have wished that teleportation wasn't just a fantasy. I grew up watching that ability in movies and hope that technology will make it happen someday, but it's been over two decades now without a sign of that innovation. Being able to teleport to anywhere at any time would have saved so many lives from mishaps and prevented some ugly experiences we've had while moving from one place to another, but unfortunately, this idea only exists in our imagination. Meanwhile, the importance of transportation can't be quantified, and many things in today's world depend on it because while it's just a means of moving around for a lot of people across the world, transportation is also a source of livelihood for some people.
We can't applaud technology enough for the upgrades the transportation system has experienced over decades, bringing more comfort to commuters, and the best part of all is having multiple means of transportation to choose from depending on our budget, destination, and others. However, as much as I like to move around exploring places, I find it challenging to sit in a vehicle for hours, which is inevitable in a country struggling with traffic jams. It makes me really tired and rips me off of whatever excitement I left my house with.
I remember a particular time I spent over 7 hours on a trip that shouldn't have taken more than an hour within Lagos and regretted leaving the comfort of my room that particular day. Although it's not something I experience often, there are people who go through this stress every day while trying to make ends meet. Bad roads, terrible drivers, and many other factors contribute to all of this, and I don't see it ending anytime soon.
My worst transportation experience didn't happen on the road, and avoiding the road stress led to that ugly experience that day. It happened about 10 years ago when I went for a wedding party of a neighbor somewhere in Ogun state.
From my residence, I had the option of going by road or water, and I opted for my regular because I haven't traveled by water before. While taking directions to the venue, I realized the journey would take me almost 3 hours, while going by water would last less than 20 minutes.
I thought about it thoroughly and decided to go with water transportation. Upon arriving at the riverbank, I boarded a boat with some of my friends, gambling on our lives because we weren't given a life jacket. The boat was overfilled, but going back from there wasn't an option anymore.
We asked other commuters about the boat safety, and they assured us that nothing bad will happen. They have traveled in a boat over 100 times without a jacket, and nothing happened.
The trip started, and I was praying for journey mercies because I felt very uneasy. We barely moved for 5 minutes before the boat stopped, and every effort to turn the engine on was futile. The driver entered the water several times to check God knows what, and finally, he broke the news that we have to wait for another boat.
People started cursing while I was silently crying because I had read about people sinking and never thought my life would end that way. We were there for some minutes without help in sight, so the driver decided to try again, and surprisingly, the engine came up.
We continued the trip, and I told God that he could see me through that time. I won't consider traveling by water again in my life. We arrived at the event, and I wasn't myself all through the ceremony just because of my experience. After the event, I traveled back home by road, not minding the distance and cost.
At least, it's better for a vehicle to break down on the road than a boat on water in the middle of nowhere without a life jacket.
On the other hand, my best experience surprisingly happened on water as well, and I had to face my fears because something important to me depended on that journey.
I had an interview scheduled for 9 am on Lagos Island a few years ago, and I know what the road is always like in the morning, plus it would cost me a lot of money. I decided to board a boat from Ikorodu ferry terminal and wasn't that scared because there was safety material in place.
I boarded the boat, and before I knew it, we arrived at one of the ferry terminals on the island. I was really happy meeting up with the interview, and even though I didn't get the job, the boat experience made me happy, and it ended my fear of traveling by water.
In conclusion, both experiences taught me lessons, and I am stuck with them till today, even though I barely go about these days. I do almost everything I need to do within the community, and that's okay.
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The stories about Lagos makes it kind of scary for us that have not been there.
It's actually not that bad, it's just that the population here is more than the available amenities and people aren't even patient with the available resources. Lagos is not bad ooo, feel free to come explore this great city 😂.
I had a similar experience while traveling by water for the first time. Not just small water, a high sea. The boat suddenly stopped in the middle of nowhere turning a journey that was supposed to be for 2 hours to 8 hours. At this point everybody should go and buy their own private jets.
8hrs? That's a whole lot of time and I would have fainted or weren't you guys in the boat for the whole time it was faulty?
I had to try again though and that's because it was very important... Travelling by water isn't really bad as long as you have the necessary gear just in case anything comes up.
Hmmm
What my eyes saw that day,my mouth can't say.
We were on the still boat on top of the water the whole time. Just us and the waves rocking it back and forth with no one in sight to help.
Honestly, you have mind than me because if I was in that situation, I would have thought it was the end. You guys should have sued the transport company oooo, that was a very risky one.
Thanks for the curation and it was nice finding the community through the Inleo prompt.
Hahaha 🤣🤣🤣
George oo 😂, I can imagine how u died and resurrected inside the boat
Lmao 🤣😂
I will never try water transportation oo...I am overly scared 😳
Mama, it wasn't a funny experience and I almost peed on myself thinking about crocodiles and even anoconda attacking the boat.
The second time wasn't that bad because I am older and the Ikorodu ferry terminal is strictly supervised by the government. Never say never because you might need to board one someday 😂.
Hahaha 😂, do you mean you were crying 😂?, I think they say men do not cry?
Thank God he saved you guys. It's very terrible for one to see "death " literally like that.