WHY BEING YOU IS THE BEST - A DAY AT THE EMBASSY

It was another hair raising day at an Embassy queing to be Interviewed. Luckily it was a route I had travelled many times before but that didn’t diminish the tension as one could meet an interviewer drawing you out to battle with his attitude. Many families were there, Daddy, Mummy, Well fed sons and Cute little daughters and that adorable baby who would be presented at the cordoned off window to charm the Interviewer and prayerfully he/she would be noticed and complimented to ease the tension enough for Daddy to be at ease. I noticed a Pastor with his Wife and four(4) Children. In fact, it was impossible not to notice them as they arrived late to their segment and were trying to get in ahead of the next group whose turn it was. The Pastor had his Collar on that was how l knew him to be a Pastor and wondered whether that was going to help in any way. His wife had a well-fitting western dress on but tied her baby on her back with an Ankara Wrapper as she struggled with three(3) other children none of whom looked more than a year older than the other……Pastor has been busy I thought but now he looked cool, calm and colected. In addition to the Children, there was an over sized baby bag, the sought that would surely be rejected and it was,… to the much protest of Mum  and to no avail.

Another family had Dad dressed in Agbada(Ankara) , Mum in a matching attire and kids equally looking cute in Native attires. Well l thought what will you make of this? I truly wondered which of these families would sail through if not both. Watching from my vantage point, the Pastors family was called up first and when they got there the Pastor’ cool disposition became flustered as question after question was thrown from the window all aimed at steering him to unfamiliar grounds where it was finally suggested to him that he was trying to sail away to greener pastures to his surprise as he protested ‘No!” he said “I am going for a conference in ……… and my family are accompanying me since my Children are on holiday” “Sorry Sir” the stern voice said as their passports were handed back to him. Many thoughts ran through my mind as l wished Madame had left that silly hat at home. Would that have helped? But no she was a Pastors wife and just had to have a European crafted hat on; no wonder the Interviewer thought she wanted to run away.

Next came the traditionally attired family . As their number came up, Dad stood as though leading a strong pack , flipping his Agbada one way and then the other he commanded respect and looked happy to be who he is. As they approached the cubicle I kept my finger crossed this time. Madam looked content and had given baby to one of the older children to carry Hmmmm I thought new tactics?....Before I could say Jack Robinson Dad let out a laugh which startled many and me the more because of the little drama going on in my head. I could sense some relief that these people are actually human enough to make someone laugh? There is God indeed. A collection paper was being issued to them…bravo l thought.

This is it, be yourself and not another because someone somewhere is looking forward to meeting you in your colors.

Remember Ankara sets you apart telling your own story the African way and being proud to be one. Oh by the way, Yes, I sailed through too……

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