A land of beauty? and "SUNSHINE"!!!

The moment I went through NYSC dashboard to check my call up letter and discovered I was posted to Adamawa state, I felt like I've been banished to the outlands with little or no civilization to suffer for a crime I didn't commit. 

I cried. 

Thanks to my loved ones for the support and assurances they gave me, telling me it will be an adventure filled experience. Guess it's one of the reasons for the Service year, to make corp members explore other parts of their country to serve their fatherland.

Since I had no option at that time, I obliged to my fate. Besides, answering the Clarion call has its downside, this seemed like one. I began mental preparations, still trying to remain open minded and positive to the adventure that lies ahead of me in Adamawa for the next 21 days in camp. I hoped for the best.

Next, I googled my destination, NYSC orientation camp, Damare, Girei LGA on the maps from my location, 12hours drive, Okay. I can't complain. i hoped it would be less, cause we know how Google maps can be sometimes, the distance and direction can be wrong. 

I then searched for a bus going to Adamawa, since I've never travelled up north that far and to that direction,I asked a few people around and was directed to a certain bus terminal that I've passed by quite a number of times. I went there a day before to buy the ticket from the bus company " Adamawa Sunshine" 

To be honest, the name was striking to me. I remember thinking to my self, "why Sunshine though?" I've seen bus company names and none is descriptive looking as this. well, I just let it slide. I didn't know that sooner I would know why the word "Sunshine" is the best one word that describes Adamawa state.

The journey was really long, I was weak from tiredness, 15 hours, Google was wrong. There and then I got determined that I must redeploy. I got to the camp at night it was really cold, what a drastic drop in temperature.

Hmmmm? 

My first night on camp, my tired slumber was cut short by the sound of a trumpet? or what's even that thing? I thought. Next, morning devotion. where we assembled at the parade ground at 4:50 in the morning. Jeez, I noticed the morning cold was a little bit over. 

Fast forward to few mins later after all the official introductions and  prayers had being said, In Camp director welcome speech, at some point, she mentioned that Adamawa was a land of beauty, (you know, the slogan.)

I scoffed.  (lol, beauty ke)

the white crowd murmured, then some voices amongst the crowd added "and Sunshine!". Well, that word again. These people must have experienced the sun in this state to be this particular about the response. This was just my first morning on camp. 

As early as 6.45am, the sun was out already. wait a minute, what? why so early? like normal sun don't come out till 8.30 or 9.00 but Adamawa sun beg to differ. As soon as the majestic sun rose it drove away all the cold in minutes and I found myself removing my cardigan.

Few moments later, the Sun was already scorching and discomforting. Wow. Really?

it was at this moment I understood that the name of that bus company wasn't a coincidence, it could be a caution to travellers coming to Adamawa, it's just that you would not know and as a first timer, I didn't, until I came to camp and experienced Sunshine at it's finest.

For the next, 20 days it was all scorching sun vs me. I got two shades darker from sun burn. The only consoling time of the day was the coolness of the night. 

so for this reason, all corp members that camped in Adamawa know that Sunshine cannot ever be left out when you talk of  Adamawa or as  a land of beauty, even the Bus company couldn't and until our last day on camp we couldn't either, because Sunshine to me is the most striking feature of those days on camp. that's why whenever the land of beauty is being mentioned by the camp director or anyone during parade or any gathering, we don't fail to add  "and Sunshine" !!!