DAILY WRITING (15)

 SUNDAY 31ST OCTOBER, 2021

I SAW DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST TIME OOO

Hey, guys. How are you today? Did you go to church today? 

Do you remember the first time you saw #1000 note? I remembered. Just like yesterday.

I remember seeing the advert for the first time, telling us the notes were out. I really wanted to see it. Touch it. One day, my dad just returned from the bank and guess what? The 1000 notes I had been desperate to see were in his hands. He was counting them. He allowed me touch them. But it wasn’t enough.

I think he went to use the restroom quickly and that was my little opportunity. I took the note and smelt it. Maybe not a good idea, abi? 😂😂😂 But I did, anyway. What was I expecting sef? It smelt like money naaa…..only different though, probably because it was straight from the bank.

I was also in the University when we started hearing that they wanted to bring #5000 note. Ahhhh! Imagine your parents sending you that amount and you want to go and withdraw and you’re coming out with one note. ONE! Ahhhhh! Or imagine you lost a #5000 note. Na to just die be that. 😂😂😂

Even market women refused. Most people I knew didn’t like the idea at all. I didn’t like it either.

Well, I’m not sure it took long but CBN took the note back. I think it circulated a bit…… not sure of that detail.

Anyway, have you seen dollars before? Yes, the same dollar of the United States, have you? Well, a lot of you may have seen and handled it so much. But DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW DOLLARS AS THE TYPICAL NIGERIAN THAT YOU ARE?

Well, this is what this write up is all about anyway. Rosemary, just avoid me ooo. (Don’t worry, guys, she knows why I am telling her this.)

I have been hearing about dollars since I was a child. I have seen it over and over in movies. But physically? Never ever!

Well, until August/September, 2021. For the first time in my adult life. Imagine ooo!

I mean, I needed to see that currency before another year came and went again. I changed the money with me because I wanted to see it. Hold it in my hands.

I could hardly sleep well that night. The way I am restless anytime I am about to travel, that’s how I felt. I woke up earlier than usual.

My cousin had given me the contact of the person who would help me change it. You know, all those Bureau de change people, abi? Yeah, that’s them. That day, on my way back home, I wanted on the road for the lady.

I was restless. Like I was waiting for someone. Omoooo…..the lady seemed to be wasting time for coming jare. 😂😂😂 I kept calling, I’m sure the lady would have been tired of me. 

Finally, she came ooo. She brought the money. $75 only…… $50 note, $20 note and $5 note. Just three note…..imagine!

Before this, I had checked online how to know fake and original dollars. My sister was certain of this lady but hey, I still gotta check, you know?

As if I sabi anything.

I just checked the way I could, put the three notes inside one big brown evenlope (I know, right? You’d think I was going to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars 😂😂😂)

If you see the way I held my bag on my way home ehhnnn….. 😂😂😂

Finally, I got home. Nobody was home. Thank God! Time to do what I really wanted to.

I sat somewhere inside the dark room (There was no light then) and brought out the money and squealed like a little girl. Yeah, somebody’s future wife and mother doing that. 😂😂😂

“So na dollars be this. After all these years, you are in my hands. Feels good,” I said aloud. “I have conquered you, O dollars!”

I put them on the floor. I took pictures of them together, then one after the other. I smelt it…….like inhaled deeply. More like I was inhaling dollars into my bloodstream……so that I will be bringing dollars from my being, you get? 😂😂😂

Anyway, I continued my ritual until……

Piiiiiiiuuuuuunnnnnnn, the siren rang, disturbing me. The light had been restored, the windows of the room where I was were opened. I rushed to close them…….you know, in case anybody see it. We need to be careful, abi? 😂😂😂

I returned it back to the big evenlope, made sure there were no dents and kept it hidden.

I was too excited to return home the next day. This time, people were home. So, I waited till when everyone was asleep. I brought it out and repeated the process.

Well, it had to go because it wasn’t mine. 

I had changed the money because I wanted to give my first in dollars to God. So yeah, it had to go.

I know a number of you might not understand this but well, it was my money, abi? And well, I used it for what I wanted. For further information, slide into my DM.

Right now, it is how I will see pounds and euros nai remain. If the Lord places it in your heart to gift me, do not disobey the Lord ooo. Don’t. It’s not good ooo.

Today is Day 15 and the last day of my daily writing. I said it and I did it, abi? Well, you made it possible. Thank you.

Below are some of the images I took.