About two months ago, just before I resumed school. I remember telling myself that I was going to buy things I needed for this festive season at the time, so I wouldn’t be caught up in the usual Christmas frenzy. I made so many trips to the market, and I was quite satisfied with the outcomes back then.
I came back for the holidays, and as things turned out, I realized I needed a quick trip to the market. I had no choice but to dive into the rush I tried running away from, two months ago. As expected, the market was so rowdy. Buyers rushing to everywhere and nowhere all at once. Sellers grabbing your hands amidst the frenzy, to draw your attention to their wares. While I got the items I wanted in the end, the process wasn’t such an easy feat.
A typical major market in Lagos, is known for how busy it always is. These busy environments usually become three times busier during festive seasons, and because of that, I had to go early since the market is far from my place. Also, to beat the traffic when coming back, it’s best to be done with shopping around 1pm, so you can get home before dusk. Going in wasn’t an issue. The real problem was coming out. You literally had to squeeze your way through hordes of people. By hordes of people, I don’t mean the type of crowd that you can see your feet shuffling across the ground but you guys are simply moving slowly. I mean the one where you hold your bag to your chest, and raise your face unto the sky, just so you don’t suffocate from being pressed into people’s backs. The sardine type of struggle.
Festive seasons in overpopulated cities are tough times to experience. Places that used to be simply busy, are now risky to be at. I remember trying to cross a major road, that day at the market, and buses were driving so close to my legs. Going on simple trips here and there is now a huge problem. Traffic has made it a point of duty to frustrate the living daylight out of you, before you even get to your destination. Sellers and drivers have chosen to build generational wealth at this time of the year, hiking prices insanely.
After that trip to that market, I got back, thanked God for the grace to come back safely, and I began crossing out every journey that on a normal day, exceeded 20mins by car, from my list of outings this season. I can’t imagine spending more than 1 hour in traffic, for an event i maybe should have cancelled.
All these aside, I love Christmas. The joy in the air, the celebration, the abundance of meat, and the fun that is automatically attached to the day. While many people said this year’s Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas, I loved it. It was fun because I got to prepare smoky Jollof rice without any help, and it came out like actual smoky party Jollof rice. This was the highlight of my day, as I spent the rest of the day, after cooking, watching tv, and scrolling social media.
Merry Christmas to you all💕
Image above was taken by me.
