Drum
roll guys!!!! I introduce to y'all a very interesting person, he's one
of those people that can just crack you up without trying so hard and I
am blessed to have him do this interview to share his experiences with
us all.
His name is David Atabo, he has a bachelor’s degree in
computer Science from Covenant University, Ota. He's currently the brand developer of ComeMkWeGo (an African tourism promotion
start-up), a travel and business writer at miztaatabo.com.ng and the content
curator for Village culture Africa.
1) What Inspired you to start traveling?
I started this personal project called “village
culture” while at school in a quest to uncover African cultures and I
discovered the only way I could really understand these cultures was to travel,
meet and interact with these people that I would like to understand. It was
more of an “experience is the best teacher” situation.
2) What do you love most about traveling?
Leaving my coven, meeting new people, getting lost in a different
tongue – languages not familiar to me, getting cheated in a strange land
(this
may be inevitable but it’s part of the adventure), eating food I
wouldn't eat on
a normal day and Inhaling different air. Lagos can get chaotic sometimes
and its just really refreshing to get out of all that.
3) How do you afford to travel and what are the necessary
steps you take to make sure your wanderlust goes as planned?
This question ehn…Lol, I pray one day the answer would be
“I get paid to travel” but as for now, I try to save penny by penny each month,
for a travel in two months’ time. But when the penny isn’t available to be
saved (as per this Lagos life Lol), my cousin, who has been a major cheerleader in this my travel thing
comes to the rescue.
I barely “plan” my travels because most times, I am too intrigued by the destination to follow up plans, nevertheless, I try to read up as much as i can about the destination before jumping on the road – the kind of food I should expect (Very necessary… lol), the major tourist sites, the ways and culture of the people like how to greet their elders (This is very key especially in Southwestern Nigeria), and other cultural or religious embodiment they might have.
I barely “plan” my travels because most times, I am too intrigued by the destination to follow up plans, nevertheless, I try to read up as much as i can about the destination before jumping on the road – the kind of food I should expect (Very necessary… lol), the major tourist sites, the ways and culture of the people like how to greet their elders (This is very key especially in Southwestern Nigeria), and other cultural or religious embodiment they might have.
4) What is your travel style, would you consider yourself a Traveler or a Tourist?
Traveler or Tourist? – This is subjective to other
factors influencing my journey. But personally, I think the thin line between a
traveler and a tourist is how close they get to the locals (people in the
visiting community). I also think a traveler acts more like he has been living
among the locals for a longer time. I am naturally a traveler when traveling
alone much more than when I go with a group because there is no one to tell me “oya,
let’s start going abeg…I am hungry…I am scared of the place and people…my
pastor said I should not go there oh…or I had a vision not to eat that
food…blablabla”
5) What are the top 3 travel destinations in your bucket
list and why do you love these places?
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (I would like to test my
agility in climbing), Victoria Fall in Zimbabwe (The gist and pictures I have been
seeing about the fall is a magnificent something) Trekking with Mountain
Gorillas in Rwanda! (I hope they don't bite sha)
6) What has been the biggest cultural shock you've experienced while
traveling?
I haven’t come across any “ghen ghen” shock so far but I
have heard about somewhere in Imo state where they don’t kill snakes,
rather the locals worship it. I would love to face that fear soon. Imagine walking and
coming across one mighty python probably crawling towards you – You can’t run,
you can’t kill it – This thing is scary!
7) What are three things you cannot honestly travel without?
If my phone
battery is dead, then I rather not travel. My power-bank is a by force something. My ATM card (well, even though it is almost always empty).
8)
I've been stalking you like forever Lol.. and i see you've been
traveling to some interesting places, what was your last wanderlust and
what were the highs/lows of it?
Osheyyy Madam Stalker, it is allowed sha haha...My latest wanderlust highlight was when I lost my
virginity sometime in August at the Osun Oshogbo festival. It was amazing
getting lost in a crowd of different religious believers and i never for once
thought of the religion differences. The low point was getting exploited over a
plate of Amala (If you like say I like food).
9) Share with my readers your best travel tips
Do not be afraid of
getting lost; this is usually how you
can find the best places. Always try
the local food; you can eat your
“chicken and chips” at home. Don’t
over plan your travels; leave room
for the unexpected.
10) What Practical advice would you give to people struggling with identifying their adventurous side?
The truth is, traveling/touring should be a “conscious”
experience. Don’t just travel because everyone is traveling or because someone
pulled you along. Travel with your mind open. Travel because you want to learn
something new. Travel because you are conscious that there is this other side
of life you want to see. Travel because you are conscious that life is a book
and wherever you are is just a paragraph off the book.
You shouldn’t wait till you hit that billion dollar mark
before you start traveling, you can start from traveling to the next street,
the next local government, the next state etc. – if you make traveling a
conscious thing, with as low as 500 Naira ($2) you can get more experience
than someone that spends more.
11) Why you think people should travel and the positive things
to be gained from traveling?
For
real guys traveling is amazing, your mind gets opened up and liberated.
I would never have known certain things i know now if i didn't travel.
Experience is the best teacher; Traveling is the best
experience.
Remain Blessed.
