The Diary of first Time Traveler

My name is Eric Oman, in my wildest imagination, I never envisaged leaving the shores of Nigeria, but like the saying goes ‘‘Man proposes, God disposes''. I had a dream of becoming a banker but along the line, my dreams were shattered.

The Dream of America.
At the age of 25, I started nursing the feeling of leaving Nigeria, due to untold hardship, everything seems to be going against me. No one to assist me and give my life a meaning.I was all by myself and needed to take a decision, a decision that I believe will better my life.So I started with the preparation with and as God will have it, I was granted a U.S visa was able to save up and paid for my flight ticket.

Few days before my travel date, my mom took me to her church, the Celestial Church of Christ. After the praying and fasting, I was told all will be well with me. I packed my bags, told my friends the next time, they see me, I will be cruising in my hummer jeep. Little did I know life had other plans for me!

On the day of my departure, I donned a very big jacket with a matching boot which my uncle had gotten from the popular bend down select market. I was escorted by my whole family to the airport, even some of my uncles had to travel down from the village to witness this day. We said our goodbyes at the airline counter and they left.I boarded the flight and arrived at the airline’s transit city, where there was a 15 hours stopover. I was so tired and nervous at the same time and when it was time to board the connecting flight to my final destination, We were asked to go through the boarding gate and as I stood up to join the queue, I heard a tap on my back and on turning, I saw this stern looking uniformed man who asked me to step aside.

I did exactly as he commanded and he began to drill me, all sorts of questions regarding my trip. I guess the only question he did not ask me would be why I was black and short. It was really embarrassing! And while other people from different nationalities were boarding the connecting flight, I was whisked away to a detention room. I wondered why I was here and no one was willing to explain when I was disallowed from boarding. The next thing I saw was the plane lifting off and that was how I did not make it to the United States of America.

The next day I was put on another flight back to Nigeria without any justification. I was devastated, and I kept asking myself; was it my appearance, the Nigeria passport or my kinsmen had planned it. What could have gone wrong, why was I not given a proper explanation when I had all necessary travel documents.

Please, someone, anyone help me answer these questions as I am still in shock.