Drumroll! I have got good news, guys! Yaay!
I drove for the first time today!
I can’t contain my excitement.
Wait a minute! Let me let you in on the gist.
I had been calling my driving school for three days now to schedule my first practical class, but I was turned back due to fuel scarcity. Lagos is the ghetto, fam.
I prepared myself for the extraordinary event that was to go down in history today — Bisola Badmus driving.
I get to the driving school by 9:05 am, five minutes later than my appointment. My instructor arrived at 10:45 am — the Nigerian factor. I was pretty determined to drive today compulsorily, so I could give you all the gist.
You are very much welcome. Send me my flowers.
We were five students scheduled to drive today. I was the only one who hadn’t driven before. Others were much better than me. Four of us slouched at the back seat of the car. The first person was a lady. She took the driver’s seat and the instructor sat in the passenger’s seat.
I watched as the lady took her time and drove calmly with the instructor directing her. Her’s was easy peasy. I concluded that it was simple and I would do brilliantly when it came to my turn.
The second student was a man. His session was hilarious. My heart was in my mouth at some point. He over-sped and at a point almost drove into the drainage. I wanted to scream. As a Lagos big babe, a hard girl must remain hard.
It was at this point, my heart started to beat.
All the bracing up I had done earlier flew out the window. Soon after, his session expired.
At last, it was my turn! My instructor took us to an open field for me to practice.
I felt shivers down my spine as I stepped into the driver’s seat. Trust me, I am not exaggerating. But still, let’s show them what Bisola can do.
Once I got in, my instructor asked me for the three qualities of a good driver. I forgot one. All my theory driving lessons in the mud.
Well, the three qualities of a good driver are Anticipation, Observation and Concentration. Having all three will make you the best driver anywhere in the world. For driving in Lagos, I have to add one more quality — Patience. Without patience on Lagos’s roads, you are in for it.
Let’s get to it.
I used my seat belt, started the car and moved the gear from (P)park to (D)drive.
Guys, I started moving the car and it moved! Imagine my surprise!
There were dummy cut-outs of people and children scattered across the open field to give a feel of real-life driving on the road. It was a lot of twists and turns, navigating bends and all.
Throughout the 20 minutes ride, my instructor guided me and directed me.
Remember my fear in part 1 of this series, where I wondered how I could look at all three mirrors at the same time? Well, I tried it today and it was not so difficult. When I navigated a bend or approached a T- junction, I had to use all three mirrors.
As I type this, my heart is bursting with joy. Bisola, I am so proud of you.
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There’s this part of the gist I mustn’t leave out.
I saw a stray dog run into the field and into the path of the car. Some Fast and Furious stunt flashed before my eyes, where the car flips 360 and barely manages to still land on its four tyres.
I pressed down on the brake pedal so hard
I froze. I literally froze.
I didn’t know I froze until my instructor tapped me and said ‘release the brake‘, that’s when I realized I had frozen out of fear.
As I type this out, there is a wide grin, a little short of laughter on my face ‘because Oh boy, it was funny.
Another interesting scene was when I had to make a right turn. I turned and turned the steering while holding down the brake. I expected the car to move and wondered why it was not moving.
I am ashamed because I am usually a smart girl. Smartness also in the mud as Gen Z Nigerians would say. Well, I am Gen Z so it is allowed.
One thing I am proud of, however, is that I can start a car beautifully and I didn’t have any accidents on my first day driving.
Amazing! Kudos, Bisola.
I am sure you, my reader is proud of me. I have come a long way.
Yikes, it’s only been a day of driving.
We go to the streets next.
Again, I am Bisola, be sure to read the next tale on my driving in Lagos series and share them with your friends.
