Vetle and I have spent a few days in the Nigerian wilderness now, together with the Yoruba it has been a pleasurable experience. Even though fresh air, dirt and the Yoruba way of living is wonderful, it couldn't fill the empty void in our citylovers hearts. As our heads drift towords the smooth feeling of fresh asphalt, Vetle drops our Travellers guide to Nigeria. The book opens on a page with a huge picture, it's a big city called Lagos. So we decided to pack up and leave our beloved new friends. Even though I had tears in my eyes when I was waving goodbye to the wonderful Ngduye Miani.
We found our way to the highway, where we hitchhiked with a wildlife fan. We sat in the back of his pickup truck watching photos of the creatures we had captured on tape(right and left of the article). Nigeria is truly a wonderful place, with interestng wildlife and wonderful Yoruba culture. As I turn my Iphone on and listen to some Morten Abel, I can't help but hymning to the Yoruba drumbeats, which might just have saved our lives one night. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you.
It was in the middle of the night, we were sleeping in our Yoruba tent, I was dreaming of my own bed back home. When suddenly; I woke up like a self igniting flare. Someone, something was lurking outside our tent. The moonlight threw shades from the animal at our tents "walls". I heard the noise from the sniffing, and thought that this had to be a bloodthirsty lion. My hands were shaking, and I paniced pushing Vetle outside to face the foul creature. "eeeeeek" ,Vetle screamed. But there were no more sounds. I slowly approached the tent door, and walked outside with caution. Vetle had blacked out. I moved backwards but felt my foot touching warm fur. I threw myself to the ground covering my head with my hands. But now I saw the creature, it was a Aardvark. Luckily Mbingo Aya came running slamming his drums in front of its face. the Aardvark ran away as fast as a Cheetah. Although the whole tribe laughed at the incident the next morning, I like to think the drums saved our lives. But mind you, a fully grown Aardvark can scare even the toughest of men.
