I have ruminated for too long on what to write on this blog, what language to employ, the tempo to strike, the issues, for there are many, to explore. So today, I have decided, I will start from where I am.
Paramount in my mind is the question I have been asked too many times, why are you making this journey?
Clearly what is obvious to me is no doubt blind to others. I will recount the genesis of the journey in posts to come. Why I am going by road to London across the vast sand seas of the Sahara? Through twelve countries in West Africa and Europe? Why I am leaving behind the weathered Lagos terrain and all its comforts, to feed the lust of my brains flesh with new wisdoms and behold one of the wonders of God’s great earth? Why do I want to lie under a dark blanket of sky sparkling with a thousand lights? To see with my own eyes the myriad shades of blue that abound in Morocco? To turban like a Touareg, eat with him, lie next to him, speak and be spoken to by him, partake of his experiences and share mine?
Photo: Dare Olatoye. L-R The Team: Elizabeth Titi Laoye-Documentary Film Maker, Afam Ugah-IT Consulatant, Kelechi Amadi-Obi- Photographer, Ebun Olatoye- Journalist, Newton Jibunoh- Captain, Joshua Adegbaju- Auto Mechanic.
There are as many answers as there are questions. To answer simply, I am driven by curiosity
and a restless spirit. My eye’s thirst for new sights and my heart for new visions. I am going because I am alive, and any thoughts for self and safety fade into nothingness against the passion that levitates my spirit when I think of this trip.
To prepare my self, I have read texts by historical and contemporary travelers; Michael Palin’s volley voyage(s) through the Sahara and beyond, Leo the African, the 16th century traveler who amassed great wealth at the age of 20 when he led his first voyage, Marco Polo, Mungo Park, Christopher Columbus….
The route we plan to cross is not uncharted. Nigeria- Benin- Togo- Ghana- Burkina Fasso- Mali- Senegal- Mauritania- Morocco- Spain- Germany- France- Belgium and the United Kingdom.
Many have traversed these planes before in search of wealth, wisdom and refuge. And many will continue to do so, on foot, by car, on camels. In spite of the number of voyagers, and the frequency of travel, I have encountered through books and in person, I have never met anyone whose life has been the same after making such a trip.
In my genesis post, I will speak of the objective of this expedition, to raise awareness on Africa’s most urgent environmental concern; desert encroachment and its effects on climate change.
But beyond global warming, travel is a fundamental tool for globalization. The tool which makes time and space collapse, and fills the vacuum of ignorance. Travel is the key that lends itself to the unlocking of minds and mysteries that man will not find sitting still, comfortable, safe. The greatest nations of the world today added nations to themselves through travels, explorations and conquests.
So my pockets may diminish because of this trip, but I would have dominated fear, and conquered the unknown and my mind will be full with memories and experiences that will enrich my existence on earth and inspire my offspring.
Unknown lands bid my footprints come and I have heeded.
