17/11/2022
Participant Feedback✈️
INDIFFERENCE TO DELIGHT!.. My Experience at the Yola Children Airport Excursion with Yola Tourism Group
It was not going to be my first time at an airport, especially Yola International Airport. Infact, I had travelled one time to Abuja via aircraft to and from Yola. So my expectations for the excursion at first was little. Besides, 'It's for the children', I thought, so all I hoped was that the children had fun.
I was to take my 5years old niece and Vickey for the Excursion. I wondered the night before, how interesting it would be for the children if they won't be allowed into a plane, at least for the feeling of being inside an aircraft. I decided to go with an open heart, trusting that the organizers must have already put into consideration that their attendees are children and so planned better to have them go back to their homes delighted.
We had to wait for others to arrive, and while so I could see the anticipation on the children's faces, eager to see the 'Almighty Craft that carries people on Air'. We had lectures about the airport and aircrafts before and after we went to see the aircrafts. It looked so simple but really consequential. And while we stepped to the airside to wait for the landing of an aircraft, it was gripping to see it appearing in the sky above the trees with touching lights from afar, coming to land at about the exact time we were told it would. Then a warm feeling I couldn't believe overshadowed me while the passengers come out of the aircrafts and there luggages were specially offloaded and taken into the arrival section.
Our tour guide told us something profound; A lot of persons travel to and fro via aircraft yet never knew nor witnessed how it takes off or land. And while it is a normal means of transport for some, to others it's a lifetime chance or a once-a-while thing to travel by aircraft, whichever way and whatever fun they drew, I feel they still miss this about aircraft. That I found it loveful to be there watching everything put in order, all for the safe and elegant movements of the craft. I really began appreciating the creative ability of man to bring about such tremendous invention.
Talking about feeling, I don't know what is it about the interaction between the aircraft marshaller in an orange life jacket and the pilots facing him in the frontal of the aircraft, it was just catchy for me. He made some gestures with orange stick looking objects which I believe it's profound and the pilots understood. How about the officers in green life jackets, readily waiting for the aircraft to land in order to properly attend to the passengers while they come down. And yes we finally got to enter another aircraft aisde from the one we were watching. Though this was smaller, yet fine and cool. But we didn't seat for long, I think already it's passengers were about coming in so as to take off.
Indeed, no knowledge is a waste! I learned alot which I never would by just entering a plane or merely watching it up in the sky, although that itself comes with certain pleasure. Knowing about the runways, the taxi ways, the Apron (you will believe at first I pictured a big kitchen apron lying on the neatly tarred road), everything calculated for precision and safety, and the whole components of an airport is all nice. Another stirring thing is coming to know that some workers at the airport could be there for years, except traveling they may never get to step thier feets at the airside where we stood to wait and watch. It's strickly out of bound for non-travellers except the officers on duty. Wow! Such a privilege for some of us who were there for the first time.
To crown it all, we were taken to the Fire Service Section of the airport. There we were educated on their operations, safety tips as well as how to handle small fire outbreaks at home, at least before the arrival of the Fire Service to such scene. I marvelled at their willingness to teach that they were practical in showing us how they use their truck and hoses to put fires off. Incredible sight! And yea, It was amusing to realize that I really didn't know the definition of 'fire' until we were told so. Well, for the records I DO NOW!
So on a good note, a big Kudos to the Yola Tourism Group for such edutainment. The Excursion did not just turn out interesting, it's imperative. I never would have appreciated the whole beauty of an aircraft beyond I normally did. Also, we watched all the efforts put in place which gives the assurance that aircraft is not just the fastest but also a very safe means to travel. Indeed, aircraft and all about it is enough fun for a tour. You will agree ith me that one of our greatest need is knowledge and in this part of the country, add exposure to it. With this, these kids to a very great extend are taken steps ahead of their mates with regards anything aircraft whether or not they had travelled by it before. Owh yea... We were given some bites to refresh and we snapped a lot of pictures too. Even though my little niece came out of he airplane sad that 'the aeroplane didn't move'...
Well, that I will say was a grooving Friday morning for the zippy kids on holiday. While on my end, it was worthwhile. Your kids can be the next, and let's hear your experience too. It's just a ticket away!!!
Sussan Uliem Jonathan
Department of Private Law,
University of Maiduguri Borno State.
