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A world of embarrassment hit me as I sat in one of the Pizzerias in Rome thinking of the events that prelude my arrival in Rome. I looked out the scenery commanding my view and the sight of cars that look like Kia Pincanto did not make me appreciate the journey at all and the stress I went through in order to come to Rome. Where do I start from? Let me start from my inability to make a choice on the Spaghetti to eat from the menu; there were so many brands of Spaghetti from Spaghetti Alsa Carabana to Spaghetti Perevenia and various other pastas that I cannot start calling their names or I might end up biting my tongue. Anyway, I chose the Carabana because the name sounded better than the rest (what a big mistake?).

Before arriving in Rome, I had some hitches or is it glitches; I don’t even know even know any more. Anyway, my beautiful wife and daughter were with me at the Airport about to check in when my one year one month daughter in her usual form started saying “bi bi” and waving her tiny fingers; there was this immense joy that hit me knowing I have a daughter who was already feeling my absence. This immense joy was cut abruptly when I journeyed passed the immigration after ransacking my personal belongings to the Business Class Check-in counter only to be told I can’t fly with them because the ticket was bought with a credit card. I stood there perplexed and looked at the face of my driver, wife and daughter across the demarcated section; what am I going to tell my wify who has been drumming Giorgio Armani and Fendi tops to my hears since she knew of my travelling to Rome. I looked back at the lady and asked for the manager in charge; she called the manager who told me the rule was not to allow tickets purchased with credit card and told me there was nothing he could do.

I moved away from his presence, analyzing, strategizing and calculating what to do. The picture of me telling my wife, my daughter, colleagues and all those who knew that I cant go any more was not pleasant sight. What was I to do? The company that bought the ticket for me is in Rome and it was 8.00 p.m. in Nigeria which was equivalent 9.00 p.m. in Rome. Even if I got through to one of the staffs; there is hardly nothing he could have done till the next day and the next Iberia flight to Rome was on Saturday and my VISA expires on Tuesday next week (let me not gist you what I went through to get this VISA; let me not even go there at all). So if I do not go now, it was impossible for me to go again because it was suppose to be for a 2-day intensive meeting. Even my colleague that was supposed to go with me could not obtain a VISA.

I stood at the side of the counter deafening my hears to the rude ticketing officer telling me to leave the Iberia counter. I closed my eyes and started speaking in tongues communicating to my only source of inspiration – the Almighty God and a thought immediately came to me; use the NAME. When you use the name of Jesus, heavens are opened; if I use the name of my company, I would have my way. I immediately step boldly to the ticketing officer and asked her to call her manager which she reluctantly did. I stood in his face and told him “I am from XYZ Company and the company that bought this ticket is in Rome”. This definitely made an impact because he immediately checked his computer to dig deeper and affirmed what I said. He told me he was sorry and explained how Nigerians have swindled the company using credit card. The boarding pass was issued and I was directed to the Business Class Lounge. The good-bye kiss I gave my wife was heart felt from the frustrations I just went through. I ditched the Business Class Lounge and walked straight to boarding. I can’t thank God enough.

On reaching Madrid Airport, I had to wait hours before entering a plane to Rome (I despise connecting flights). I arrived in Rome and waited for some time to claim my luggage. After obtaining my luggage and about to pass through the gate that states “ROMA”. A policeman stopped me and told me to move to one corner. I looked around and noticed nobody else was stopped except me and one Indian guy who were the only colored guys about to enter Rome. I was interrogated and my laptop bag together with my other bag was ransacked. I felt quite humiliated but ceased from protesting since all the policemen spoke to themselves were Italian. I started thinking how these policemen could be so stupid to think only colored people deal with drugs. I was immediately happy when I saw the name “DITO” on the plank held by a man dressed in suite. I met him and apparently he was the chauffeur to take me to the hotel but I did not bother correcting my name because I doubt if I would see him any more. Inside the S-class Mercedes benz, the only thing I noticed on my way to the hotel are trees hanging round the city.

Shock number 1, the sockets are different from that of England (instead of a three pin socket, we have only 2 pin). I was forced to get an adapter for my laptop. Shock number 2, every one is fashion crazy. I just noticed shock number three when I was about to pay for my meal that the shops and restaurants only collect Euro and all I have is Dollars. I hope I would not end up washing plate in the restaurant……..