My last day in Ibadan | North of Lagos

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My last day in Ibadan

May 26, 2011 by Cara Titilayo Harshman

Wednesday was my last day in Ibadan. I had a last meal of amala with my host mom’s delicious ground nut soup. I cried when I said goodbye to my host family. I feel like a real member of the family and it was difficult to leave them. I know we will see again soon. I am in Lagos for now until I leave Nigeria on Tuesday. I will go to Europe for a few weeks and then finally return home to Chicago. For now, I am enjoying the fast-paced life of Lagos and suffering without a car. Èkó ò ní bàjé o!!!

Posted in Travel Notes | Tagged Ibadan, market, Nigeria, Titilayo Oyinbo, Yoruba | 26 Comments

26 Responses

on July 30, 2011 at 5:16 pm | Reply Sheun endowed

Wow! U really surprised me. Keep it on. Mo ni fe re o.
- on August 2, 2011 at 11:58 pm | Reply Cara Titilayo Harshman
  
  Emi naa nife yin!
on June 1, 2011 at 12:35 am | Reply lanre

Titi,
Am impressed by your candour, but which one be Chris own, the guy is just back biting and talking crap bout Nigerian men and marriage in Nigeria. Whose concern if u have been away for… 50 yrs and why are you so keen in consulting for free, if na oyinbo wey dey talk yoruba dey do u like that, you can package one and send her to your kindred in Nigeria to learn Ibo or Hausa, Nigerians take marriage very seriously and Titi can attest to that, so stop presenting us in a negative light, I admit there are some bad ones but hey, its everywhere, even in the US and UK. Ogbeni ko so ara re.
- on June 10, 2011 at 2:51 pm | Reply Chris
  
  Lanre,
  Did you not see men were asking Titi to marry them? While I agree with you, marriage is a serious resposibility, why was marriage asked without even knowing TiTi? That does not show that marriage is taken seriously by some people.
  - on June 11, 2011 at 11:44 am | Reply lanre
    
    Chris,
    
    haba! those men were just pulling her legs, its an amusement to them. in the yoruba, we are used to folks calling us my husband, my wife, if u visit an elderly aunt or relatives, she will say “olowo ori mi ti de” or “awon oko mi re”, does that make you her husband? its part of our culture but regarding titis own, i would say its a prank born out of an amusement, and should not be taking seriously, Nigerian men know how to woo women from any part of the world brother!
    - on June 12, 2011 at 4:37 am | Reply chris
      
      Lanre,
      You don’t joke with marriage. It’s a serious thing under God. A lot of times we are tested in Nigeria. You see Titi constantly being tested by Nigerians. She passes the test with flying colors. I don’t know why we do it in our cultture. Is it a way to make sure you are what you say you are?? I don’t know and I personally don”t like it very much…..especially with all the laughter and mockery. Titi handled it pretty well.
on May 31, 2011 at 7:27 am | Reply Chris

Titi,
This is Chris from Chicago. After living in Nigeria for 10 years and going to high school there, I would not mind being a consultant fo you when you get back to Chicago (free of charge). I am one of the Nigerians in dispora and I have lived in the US (20 years). Currently work as a physician. I was listening to the video and I want to comment on marriage- The reason why people want to marry you is just the way Nigerians look at marriage. They don’t normally see marriage a love relationship, but rather a relationship of convinence. Since you speak their language, know some culture and are from America, you have ‘high stock’ for marriage (and they want to come to America as well, which to them, that would be progress. Be careful about those men. Nigerian are nice people, but still be careful. Love the blogg. Thanks for the experience.
on May 31, 2011 at 6:36 am | Reply Chris

Titi,
This is Chris from Chicago. After living in Nigeria for 10 years and going to high school there, I would not mind being a consultant fo you when you get back to Chicago (free of charge). I am one of the Nigerians in dispora and I have lived in the US (20 years). Currently work as a physician. I was listening to the video and I want to comment on marriage- The reason why people want to marry you is just the way Nigerians look at marriage. They don’t normally see marriage a love relationship, but rather a relationship of convinence. Since you speak their language, know some culture and are from America, you have ‘high stock’ for marriage (and they want to come to America as well, which to them, that would be progress. I also like the fact you held your own when people tried to take you some place else. Be careful about those men. Nigerian are nice people, but still be careful. Love the blogg. Thanks for the experience.
on May 31, 2011 at 3:08 am | Reply Margaret

Hey, it’s very sad you are leaving but I wish you best of luck and safe journey back to chicago. I have kept up with your blog ever since I first found it and you have really grown. You’re also an inspiration for my short term study abroad to Ghana next week!! I hope I run into you someday in Chicago lol (I’m Nigerian from Chicago), I know its a big city but hey, its possible! Hahha.
on May 29, 2011 at 9:21 am | Reply FALODUN JACOB

MISSED ALL
on May 28, 2011 at 2:37 am | Reply Philakinyemi

You don’t know how sad it is to hear you are leaving. All the best. If you are ever in the Uk and you need a place to slay, you are welcome to stay at mine. Got so many spare rooms. Am happy in a relationship, so there is no ulterior motive somewhere in that offer, lol. Take care.xx
on May 28, 2011 at 12:59 am | Reply Kunle Akinola

Eko baje ti…
on May 27, 2011 at 5:15 pm | Reply kunle

Best wishes both now and in the future.
A de’le ba’re o, a rin’na k’ore o.
on May 27, 2011 at 11:47 am | Reply Mrs. Adebayo

This made me cry because I want to go back to Ibadan.
on May 27, 2011 at 8:24 am | Reply Michele

Blessings, sweet girl and bon voyage!
Hugs and love!
on May 27, 2011 at 2:41 am | Reply Dixon Omosheye

Hi Titilayo, I came across your video blog when a friend posts it on my wall. Since then I had been captivated by your candour and plain simplicity in your efforts to speak Yoruba and learn the culture. With little that it may worth, I am very proud of you. Now that you have experienced life in Nigeria, you are in a good position to inform your compatriots in the States that Nigerian are not all crooks (419). There are good people in Nigeria. I am sure that those who have close contact with you will miss you very much. Those of who us looks from the distance and are your fans, I will miss you as well. Please don’t forget Ibadan. Come back again soon and keep us inform by your blog what you may be going in the future, most especially when you are about to get connubial so that we can come with our Bata, Iya ilu and Omona drums. Greeting to all member of your team. Olorun awa pelu yin o. Ni oroko Jesu, amin. Bye
on May 27, 2011 at 12:25 am | Reply 'deji

….titi, this is encouraging, you making us of what we’ve got here
We love you
Cheers
on May 26, 2011 at 7:41 pm | Reply Dith

Aww this is bittersweet Titi but I know youll be back.
Have fun in Lagos and Europe.
I hope you won’t stop blogging though.
on May 26, 2011 at 7:30 pm | Reply Chris

I will miss it too. Please let us know if you’re interested in talking to those to us in despora. Safe trip home. Your fellow Chicagoan.
on May 26, 2011 at 6:09 pm | Reply Tinuola Ajayi

Wow! So soon? Bummer! Definitely gonna miss you guys! You really gave me a different perspective of everyday life here at the University of Ibadan! While most of us just wanna get outta here as soon as possible, you enjoyed every single moment you were here and that is what i really loved about you titilayo! I don’t think i can ever walk pass Bello Hall again and not think think of your “Walk to School” video! lol! Most importantly you guys made me fall in love with the yoruba language for the first time 😉 ( i know my name is Tinuola……………don’t bother it a long story). Anyway all the very best as you go back home. Ese!
on May 26, 2011 at 5:09 pm | Reply Debo Ajao

Very best wishes. Not sure where you will be in europe but if you are in the UK give us a shout. Sure you have family this way but we will be happy to have you stay with us
on May 26, 2011 at 4:10 pm | Reply EmmaRB

Cara, emjoy your travelling through Europe. If you come to London I’ve always got a spare room for you! 🙂 Check me out on FB and send a message! It has been great ‘getting to know you’ via your blog. If you start a new one, or continue with this one, I’ll still be reading and smiling.
Take care, ‘friend’,
EmmaRB
on May 26, 2011 at 4:00 pm | Reply tomiwa

Titi mi owon, hhhmmm sepe odun kan ti dey tan? Mo mwa miss e gan. Ko de ma wo ooo. Mo pe e la le yi sugbon ero ibani soro eee o lo.Kayode nko?shey ejo ma lo ni.toba ti dey chicago ki o fi phone number si facebook inbox mi ooo. Ore e-Tomiwa
on May 26, 2011 at 3:08 pm | Reply Ola

The honest truth is am going to miss following and reading your blogs, I have become so attached. BTW, there isnt a single blog of yours that I did not read 🙂 This 8month friendship with north of Lagos is about to end, and I must say am a lil emotional abt it. You have given me some sort of connection to my home country thousand of miles away from home. All the best Titi, I am looking forward to seeing you on CNN as an African news anchor or something in the likes….very soon. My prayers are with you.

Your loyal follower.
on May 26, 2011 at 3:01 pm | Reply taj

eeya…its good having u in 9ja for like 9 months telling us about the northside of lasgidi…so wats gonna happen to this blog?…i hope u’ll continue to flourish us with harmonisation of ur 9ja culture with home culture…bami ki uncle obama oh…
on May 26, 2011 at 2:56 pm | Reply olayemi

Titilayo Èkó ò ní bàjé o!!!….omo ibadan kini so….ti ewe ba pe lara ose yio di oshe…

FAREWELL TO nIGERIA…I HOPE YOU COME BACK AGAIN.Now i MISS AMALA AND PONDED YAM.yOU MAKE MY MOUTH SALIVATE WHEN YOU MENTION IT…

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