Location Calabar, Nigeria

Summary

I left early again at 7:00 a.m., determined to reach Calabar to get the Cameroon visa sticker in my passport. The ride took about four hours, made better by an older couple heading to a religious conference—they were great company and even stood up to a few police shakedown attempts on my behalf. The road was intense, packed with massive trucks and constant detours, but I arrived around midday and felt on schedule. Lunch turned into an unexpected treat: an instant “Zamzalova” cappuccino and some egg dishes the couple swore by.

At the consulate, things slowed down. The person I needed wasn’t there yet, so I waited, half-watching a soccer game and slowly realizing I wouldn’t make it to the Cameroon border at Ikok before dark. Missing daylight would mean missing the convoy required for security, pushing everything back several days—possibly complicated by Christmas timing. When plans clearly weren’t happening, I adjusted, waited it out, and eventually got the sticker. Turns out the online e-visa was mandatory anyway, so I actually saved time by doing it earlier.

I checked into the US Wig Hotel for a couple of nights and settled into Calabar, which seems like a pleasant city. Even with a three-day delay, I felt surprisingly good about it. Around here, delays are just part of the journey. Thanks for staying with me.