A LITTLE ABOUT BEES

Yay! We were finally at Obudu Cattle ranch in Cross River state. It was my first time visiting that tourist attraction site and I was in the company of some of my school mates. We had gone there for a geography excursion and I was in SS 2 then.

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We arrived around 9 pm and I could barely see anything as it was already dark. But I know we drove up a spiral mountain which our tour guide explained to us was called "The devil's tongue." It was scary at some point because of all the sharp bends on the mountain. I later got a better view of the "devil's tongue" when it was day and truly it was as scary as the devil.

Before embarking on the excursion, we were advised not carry perfume or any perfumed cream and to carry blueseal vaseline as body cream because it had no scent. But me in my “ajebo” nature couldn't do without perfume. So I smuggled a pocket size perfume into my box.

The night we arrived, we were separated into two groups. The males slept in one guest house while the females slept in one guest house. The next morning, we woke up early, and rushed to have our baths in the neatly tiled bathrooms. There was water in a big barrel and it was as cold as ice block. I was jumping in the bathroom as I poured the water on my body.

We were told Obudu cattle ranch would be cold like winter abroad and we were advised to bring trousers, sweaters, socks, caps and gloves. It was as if we were travelling abroad. Oh, how I wish. After having my bath, I dressed up in my “Nigerian winter clothes” and hid to wear my perfume quickly.

After breakfast, we went to see some animals in the bush like chameleon and monkeys. People said they saw the chameleon, but I won’t lie to you, I didn’t see it. We also entered the cable cars which we were told is the longest cable car ride in Africa. Some people were afraid and screaming in the cable car but I was having fun looking down from the sky and taking pictures.

We got down from the cable car and went to the bee hive. And then tragedy struck. As I approached the beehive, I heard "buzz buzz" and before I knew it, the bees descended on me. I screamed and ran around trying to scare them away but they held on to my skin, stinging me with all their might. It was then I remembered the warning we were given before we embarked on the excursion.

"Bees get attracted by the smell of perfume and scented soaps and creams. Don't carry perfumes or any scented body product."

Well, it was too late. My excursion was cut short as I had to be rushed to the nearest hospital. And on getting back to school, I was punished by my principal.