Travel home!

🌍 Where in the World is Dr. O?

Title: Day 1 – The Journey Home Begins ✈️🇳🇬

Category: Travel Journal

Tags: Lagos, Travel Day, Delta One, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Nigeria Return

🗓️ Date: June 13 2025
📍 Location: Tallahassee

✈️ Travel Notes

Departed from: Tallahassee via Atlanta
Arrived in: Lagos Nigeria
Airline/Flight Info: Delta

💭 Reflections

Day 1: The Journey Home Begins

And we’re off!

For the very first time, we opted for an Uber ride to the Tallahassee airport—easily the most cost-effective choice, especially since it spared us the hassle and fees of airport parking. Both of us dressed for comfort: I was decked out in my Liverpool jersey top and bottom, while she chose relaxed slacks—practical and perfect for a long travel day.

Check-in at Tallahassee was smooth sailing, thanks to TSA PreCheck. No need to remove shoes or belts—always a small win that feels like a big one.

Truthfully, I’d felt a bit apprehensive about this trip for weeks. But as we boarded our first leg to Atlanta on a Boeing 717-200 (seats 2B and 2C), that unease gave way to excitement and quiet optimism. The seats were surprisingly comfortable, and we were even offered drinks before takeoff. So far, so good—by 12:11 p.m., the doors were closed, and we were ready for the skies.

We landed in Atlanta on time and made our way to the Delta Lounge—a peaceful retreat with a nice spread of food and drinks. There’s something reassuring about not having to think too hard about what to eat, especially before a long-haul flight.

Boarding for our flight to Lagos could have been more orderly (a little more structure might’ve helped with the crowding from wheelchair boarding), but overall, it was fine. Once onboard the Airbus A330-200 in Delta One, we were welcomed with a choice of orange juice or champagne. We both went with orange juice—hydration over celebration.

Dinner, unfortunately, was underwhelming. It was a three-course meal, but maybe I just chose the wrong entrée. I’ve definitely had better in-flight meals. I put the tray away, reclined the seat into lie-flat mode, and closed my eyes—hoping to grab some rest before touching down in Lagos.

Morning came with breakfast, which didn’t sit too well. The meal left much to be desired, but thankfully, the landing experience was the complete opposite.

To my pleasant surprise, our arrival in Lagos was smoother than I anticipated. The airport was cleaner, less chaotic, and more organized than my last visit. Things worked. Our hired driver was waiting right on time, and the car was clean and cool—so cool, in fact, that we had to turn the A/C down. A small but meaningful comfort.

We checked into the Marriott in Ikeja, and it lived up to expectations. Honestly, it could’ve been a hotel anywhere in Europe or the U.S.—immaculately clean, professional staff, and a welcome upgrade to our room.

Now, let’s talk about the food.

It brought back flavors from my childhood—familiar, warm, and deeply satisfying. The pepper levels caught me a bit off guard (let’s just say my palate needs a reboot), but I imagine I’ll adjust with time. All in all, it’s good to be back.

📸 Moments in Focus

🗣️ Quote of the Day

“Home sweet home”

🧭 What’s Next?

🌍 Where in the World is Dr. O?

Day 2

🗓️ Date: June 15 2026
📍 Location: Lagos

Reflections

Title: Day 2 – Family, Food, and Finding My Roots

Category: Travel Journal

Tags: Lagos, Ogun State, Family Visit, Nigeria, M Lounge, Glaucoma Awareness

A Morning in Lagos

Woke up this morning feeling refreshed and recharged.

I did notice the scale tipping upward slightly—unsurprising, given how hard it is to resist the rich, nostalgic flavors of home. There’s something about the tastes you grew up with that calls to you, calorie count or not.

Being in the tropics, we kept to our daily ritual of taking Malarone—our antimalarial prophylactic. Unlike the typhoid vaccine, which we completed before departure, this one is a daily commitment while we’re here.

With that done, we headed down to the Marriott M Lounge for breakfast.

Breakfast: A Blend of Home and Abroad

As expected, breakfast was sumptuous.

I had a delicious mix of oatmeal and orange juice—classic continental staples—but also couldn’t resist the Nigerian yam and egg combo, topped with a spicy pepper sauce that was absolutely 🔥.

It’s a beautiful thing when breakfast feels like a cultural reunion.

On the Road to Otta

We soon set out to visit my mother in Otta, Ogun State.

Navigating Lagos traffic is a full-body experience—less about the distance and more about maneuvering through a moving maze. The roads themselves aren’t terrible, but the sheer volume of cars creates a kind of vehicular ballet as everyone jostles for space.

One thing I hadn’t seen in a while?

🛒 Street hawkers weaving through traffic, selling everything from bottled water to plantain chips—negotiating deals through car windows. It’s chaotic, yes—but also uniquely Nigerian.

And I’ll say this:

✅ The traffic lights? They work.

A Visit to My Mother

Visiting my mother was deeply grounding.

Though her health is challenged—she’s legally blind due to glaucoma and battles severe arthritis—her spirit remains unshaken. We sat together, reminisced about family stories, and she offered a heartfelt prayer for us all, especially in honor of my retirement.

In that moment, I felt the weight of heritage and the grace of belonging.

Despite my earlier apprehension, this visit reminded me of who I am and where I come from. It was humbling—and necessary.

Evening Reflections: Shared Meals and Quiet Joy

We returned to the hotel for a light refreshment at the M Lounge, anticipating a special delivery:

🍽️ Home-cooked meals from my sister.

Back in our room, we gathered as a family—brothers, sisters, niece, and nephew—sharing dishes full of local delicacies, laughter, and memories. These are the kinds of evenings that fill the soul, not just the stomach.

Eventually, as the night settled, everyone headed out. We packed up for the night and reflected quietly on what had been a full and meaningful day.

Looking Ahead

So far, I must admit—my initial fears have been mostly misplaced.

But tomorrow begins another chapter: traveling to the hinterlands to begin the process of organizing my wife’s family home.

That story unfolds next.

📸 Moments in Focus

🗣️ Quote of the Day

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”

— Maya Angelou

🧭 What’s Next?

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