AkeOnTheRocks - Day 2

Dawn approached faster than normal or so I thought for I had to struggle to keep my eyes open for a bath. My ever dramatic roomie Notey and I were 7 minutes late and luckily for us we weren't missed as everyone was sorting out their Volunteer/Team Shirts. 

The day started with us sorting out Festival Bags and Materials for the guests after which we had a brief meeting with the funny Lola Shoneyin to review and familiarize ourselves with the Festival Programme via the Festival Guide. Placements were done and mine was to work the Ake Festival Office and Chat room with Steph a Textile Designer.

Whenever young people are gathered we always find a way of discovering each other on social media platforms such as Twitter. It’s just one default setting one shouldn't bother trying to understand. Various activities such as shopping for materials for the Environmental Art Challenge for Secondary Schools, setting up the Bookstore (there is this feeling that comes with seeing books especially ones you have longed for - utter bliss or as Demola would say 'it’s close to sexual'), drinks transfer, sorting out bags for the 200 students expected tomorrow etc. Let’s just say that as at 11.20pm when we left for the Hotel, work was still yet to be done. 

I managed to take a walk down to M.K.O Abiola International Stadium with Chika and all I say is Abeokuta is a lovely city. Owerri clearly still has a lot to learn.

Highlight of the evening was when Nnedi Okoroafor, Author of so many mystical and wonderful books such as Akata Witch, Who Fears Death and so many others arrived. “Plx (in Funke's voice)” we all stopped to stare and dream for a little while.

It's totally allowed.

I am very sure it took a lot of self-control to prevent you Dare from jumping up to hug her. Oh yes! LS did not fail as usual to crack me up with her comments and actions.I look forward to tomorrow’s activities- Film Screening (Nowhere to Run), Environmental Talk and the Art Challenge with the School Pupils and a Fiction Writing Workshop with Nnedi and two other authors. 

After a day’s job, a lady has to rest, and that I can't wait to do. So from under the duvet I bade Abeokuta farewell to meet again in few hours’ time, as God wills and we definitely won't be late again. Ciao

Before I forget the food was superb :)