" Can I call you on Saturday ?", he asked. That sounded like a good idea that no matter what, I had no tangible reason to turn it down — it's the weekend! This was the first time I actually got an open invitation to a Moroccan home to taste Moroccan cuisine, home-prepared with lots of love. (who doesn't love some " home cho "? ) . I thought to myself that it was a good opportunity for me to immerse myself in the culture, at the very least reveling in it. It's 11 o'clock in the morning, I'm still in bed half-awake when the call from an unknown number came through. I figured it might be Marwan since I hardly receive phone calls from my number. This was not far from truth as the person at the other end of the phone bellowed " weeeesh ". " Oh yeah what's up ? How's it going ? You already had breakfast ? " Breakfast you said? I don't recall the very last time I made time to eat a hearty breakfast; It's just...
"The city is the finest place " , I always imagined . More often than not , I conjure up images of urban areas being the most exquisite places to ever live on this earth superior to my rural setting . The fascination of city life as depicted by movie producers enslaved my mind - forever enveloped in this illusion . I then developed a longing for an urban life devoid of boredom .
Well , there was one opportunity for me to live that dream . It was not until the day uncle Darko, who lives in the city of Accra , came home for a visit . I could not conceal the great joy I had when he informed me that he would be taking to the city for a tour . No time could be wasted as I got ready to experience the thrills of the city of Accra .
As the vehicle departed for the city, my uncle said to me ," my son, if you don't move the city , the city will move you " . The statement made by him left a food for thought as I pondered over its meaning . The picture painted of urban areas is one of which flows with milk and honey . However , there are always two sides to a coin .
On entering the city , my jaws dropped in awe of the view occurred the city. It was very beautiful . There were spectacular , high-rising buildings like it is in the movies . Settlement patterns are linear giving the city a beautiful view which I really admired. It seemed to me everyone living in this part of the city had shelter . However , in the suburban areas ,the situation is a different story altogether . Unlike the exquisite buildings at Accra central and east Legon, the suburban places are full of squalor and overcrowded usually inhabited by very poor people .
In the city, a line has been cut between the rich and poor . While the former mostly live in luxurious estates, the latter are compelled to live in shanty houses . That part of the city lacks reliable sanitation services , supply of clean water and other basic services . Then my uncle tapped me by the shoulder and remarked , " it is better to live under a roof here than to be homeless on the streets " . It was hard to believe that people did not securely live under a roof in the so-called exquisite places in the city. Itch is not uncommon to see people finding solace in front of stores and kiosks on the streets
Comments
Post a Comment
Write a feedback