THE YOUNG ADVENTURER

CHAPTER THREE

A NEW LIFE STYLE.

Though granted a refugee status, this meant nothing to him since the was no financial or material befit attached except for the freedom of movement in the country. He started thinking how he will live in the country with.no money. "Starting a new life in an unknown environment is not always easy.". he thought "but I will not go back, no matter what,forward ever backward never" he said to himself. He has to start learning to associate with people who can help him. He then decided to move to different locations in the city in search of a job but couldn't find one. He decided to visit a pipeline company to try his luck. On reaching there, he spoke English at the entrance. Immediately, one security guard said to him in french "On me parle pas anglais Ici.". meaning we don't speak English here. As he was trying to continue his speech in English, came out furious, and almost threatened to slap him if he doesn't.leave or if he can't speak any of their two official languages :french or arabic. Princewill quietly left the place disappointed and for fear of being molested. However he went out everyday to restaurants, hotels, car parks etc to see whether he could get any menial job that can sustain him but couldn't get any. He realized that time was fast running out and the little money he had, was being used up for his daily sustenance. He kept searching for jobs in oder to replenish his finances. One day a pandemonium broke out and people were running helter skelter with great confusion, no one understood what really was the matter. Cameroonians were attacked and beaten up.by the Chadian citizens for some.political reasons as announced by one of the radio stations. Princewill was confused when he came out and saw the youths mobilizing themselves to different directions of the town, some holding sticks, others holding bottles, stones, iron and other blunt objects, which were used in their victims. But upon all this he suffered no harm.

Since no job was forth coming, he said to himself "The journey is still too long, if I continue like this my money will be exhausted without me covering half of the journey. So whatever the people I am living with will and drink is what I will eat and drink.". So he regimented his life in that way. This made him to some kind of meals he didn't like even when they were tasteless. He will have to wait whenever food is ready before he will eat, be it break fast lunch or supper and even at odd hours that were not even convenient for him. But that is the way he has to.live his new life in order to avoid spending money. He managed in that condition and even became used to it.While there he started making inquiries on how to proceed with his journey by asking for directions and how to get to the park. After getting all the necessary information, he talked to himself "I would have stayed here longer but I do not want to be a burden to this family and above all familiarity breeds contempt.So it is better I find my way out whether is is convenient for me or not, after all this was not meant to be my last bus stop," he concluded.

So to respect simple courtesy demands, he decided to inform the pastor of his decision to leave and thanked him for his labour of love and all the care he has shown him as a spiritual leader and father. The pastor in his response said in french "Je remercie Dieu qui m'a donné l'opportunité de Vous montrer la gentillese et Les autres qui me rencontré." meaning "I thank God for the opportunity he has given me to show kindness to you and others who have come my way" Je Lui rendre toute la gloire". "I return all the glory to him.". "Oú vas tumaintenance et pour quelle raison? "Where are you heading to now and for what reason,?". The pastor asked. " Je vais au Nord du pays et de la, Je vais traverser pour aller en Arabie Saudite . meaning "I am heading to the north of the where I can cross to Saudi Arabia" Princewill replied. " ,Il n'y a pas des chretiens là, faire attention pour n'est pas être islamisé" There are no christian there, be careful not to be islamized" The pastor added and finally prayed for him, gave him some pieces of advice and wished him well.

Princewill fell at home with the pastor and his family. He wished that he will meet another kind person or family where he is going.

The next day, he quickly packed his little belongings into his bag and took off. He went to the park and boarded a truck to a long distant town which is close to the border. While in the truck he remained quiet because he could neither communicate in Arabic or any of the local languages of the Chadian people. He was not only silent but was also gripped with fear wile undertaking this journey.in.a.long and dusty road. He.maintained his calm as they pass through some small towns on the way with the scorchy heat if the sun burning. While they stopped in different places to get something to eat, Princewill just took a walk to where edible things were sold just for sight seeing but pretended as if he wanted to buy something to eat though he had no intention of buying anything. Though they stopped at different places did not spend a dime because he didn't even know where he was going to and how the place will look like. The journey was too long that the passed about three distant towns and spent the night on the road, sleeping in the truck before they finally arrived in the morning. This made him very weak and tired, he had never undertaken this type of journey. This was the first in his life time and in a country that is covered by the desert.

On arrival in the town which he did not even know how it is called, he wondered how his life will be this time around, with the set of people he will meet. The passengers knew he was a stranger since he couldn't express himself in Arabic or any of the local languages. So they handed him over to two young men who took him to the police station for questioning, searching and investigation.