The capital city, the seat of everything

I write this post with the Spanish-language song "La Bicicleta" by Carlos Vives and Shakira continuously playing on my speakers, and it will be on loop until this blog post is 'published.'

I have made it to Madrid, Spain, as my new assignment after over two years in Nigeria, and what great luck I have to be in this beautiful country, particularly in this spectacular Spanish capital city.

I had known all along that I would end up in Madrid after my stint in Abuja, Nigeria. It was what I would call the deal I made for accepting, actually volunteering, for the West African Post. I had no regrets that I had taken that more difficult route to get to my dream European post now. In fact, I would call my Nigeria experience a blessing, even more that what I could ask for.

Nigeria was not easy, mind you, but it enabled me to be the person I desired to be.

I would always take pride in the fact that I spent more than two glorious years in Nigeria, despite the terror group Boko Haram problems in the north, the occasional bombings in the capital and Ebola virus disease that reached the southern city of Lagos. The  fuel problems, corruption, the hours-long power outages and the threat to Malaria were all there too, but I would credit my Philippine upbringing for helping me cope better than my European and American counterparts did. They complained a lot! Nigeria, like the Philippines, is a developing country, and is not without challenges. I guess, for some people who are accustomed to comfort and first-world living, they would always think that these will always be available to them. Well, not all the time.

Some party guests at my house

The difficult conditions brought out the best in people. There was always the threat of insecurity in Abuja, but this did not stop the party-loving expatriate community to have fun in their residences, gated villages and poolside venues. I was lucky to be in the company of some of the most amiable Latinos I have met in my life, and was taken in as an honorary cousin of sorts. I recall with fondness the countless parties and dinners I had with them. Soon enough, my circle of friends grew to include Americans, Nigerians, Israelis, Greeks and countless others. I once had a birthday party with over 40 people of different colors squeezed inside my small flat, dancing and drinking the night away. I passed out that night, failing to properly see my equally happy guests off.

Nigeria amplified my resilience, a trait known and visible to many Nigerians, along with their deep sense of faith. I rarely complain now. hehe. I have nothing but gratitude. Who would not be grateful for all those character-building experiences.

I would always look back at my Nigerian experience as I write my Spanish history. Eight months into my post, I have yet to make wonderful friends like I did in Nigeria. Abuja, for all its greatness and weaknesses, bonded me with a wonderful set of people I had the honor of knowing. I remember the names Pedro, Susan, Nadav, Cynthia, Miguel, Francia, Angie, Jorge and many others whose friendship and warmth I will always celebrate. I know it takes an effort on my part to establish friendships, as well. Friendship does not just happen instantaneously, for it needs nurturing and time. For now, I shall wait patiently. The first few months have been great for me in Madrid. There is without a doubt that my future here will be as bright.

In other capital cities of the world are my other friends who unceasingly provide me support and keep me sane. In more ways than one, we comforted each other because we knew the challenges of life away from home. For this, too, I am grateful.

Meanwhile, as an admirer of anything beautiful, I take the chance to explore Madrid and beyond.

Here are some photos of Toledo, some 25 minutes away from Madrid by the speed train,

The Alcazar

Toledo

Inside the AVE train, Spain's high-speed train

The rail station. 

One public transportation off my list after taking quite a number of trains in Spain. 

Reactivating?

It has been months or years even, since the last post, and not so many posts for the previous years at that. Initially, it was a conscious effort to stay away from blogging and find my own rhythm in Commuter's then new place before he could  take on the task of blogging again. As some of you may recall, he was living in Nigeria for work . The work brought him to places and adventures he had never dreamed of experiencing; in short, he had loads of materials to write about. However, he cannot seem to put them all in writing. He tried Instagram, too. That did not make him a prolific IG user neither.

Commuter is sure, though, that he missed blogging. The kind of writing he was doing at work was not the creative kind, nor liberating.

Also, Commuter attributes his lack of post to the fact that he was not commuting. You see, Commuter had a car and driver in Nigeria.  He sold the car before his transfer to Spain. Yes, that country. And and that country, he takes public transport, and is happy.

This is the view from my dining area where I write this post. With that view, I am, no doubt, inspired. 

Commuter hopes to have you tag along him in his new adventures in Spain. Ole!

Of Ebola and friendship

Commuter's work has entitled him to certain benefits that he enjoys. One of them is vacation! Commuter plans to go to the land of milk and honey, that is if he gets his precious visa approved. While the visa is no where yet in sight, he dreams of going to places, visiting friends, taking a picture of  'HOLLYWOOD' and other things that a poor lad could ever dream of.

Should good fortune be on his stars, he will travel in November. He will meet friends and get his passport stamped. Or will he?

Then, few weeks before his contemplated travel, he receives a Facebook message from his supposed host in Florida. It reads:

Dear Commuter, Let me start by saying, Please do not take offense to what I am about to say. This is not a personal attack to you. I know I've offered you my home for you to stay when you visit, however I can no longer make that offer because you are flying in from Nigeria, which is a very high risk country for Ebola. As you may already be aware, we have cases of it here in the US. I have a two year old at home and I am only looking out for the welfare of my family. I hope you understand. You know I love you and would love to make the best of your stay here. I really apologize.

There. The meeting of friends ends before it could even start. He could not believe what he had read. Suddenly, blood went up his head, but he tried to understand the situation.

Immediately he responds:

Dear host, I am not offended by what you had to say. In fact it is understandable. I work at the embassy where we get similar concerns. However, I cannot deny the fact that I am disappointed. As a result, I will have to cancel my planned visit to Miami. I will go elsewhere where I am welcome. Just for the information of all, Ebola in Nigeria has been contained, and I have never set foot in any of the West African countries worst-affected by the outbreak.

What he should have said was, "You are a dear friend. I will never harm you or your family. Your health, safety and peace of mind are more important than my personal happiness. "

Then he will try to assess his future travel plans.

With sadness, he reflects on the situation. Ebola has done damage beyond the  5000 lives it already claimed. It has already caused some major damage to the living, and will continue more so even beyond one's death.

For now, he prays for his health and friends. If he experiences difficulties in a country where Ebola is believed to have been contained, he could only only imagine what goes in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Spain and the US where his friend resides. "I hope it doesn't spread elsewhere," Commuter says.

Perhaps, sticking with Nigeria and the Philippines for tourism would be the best option for now. And besides, he has visa for Nigeria already.