OCTOBER RUSH

 I was standing in front of the office of my good friend and lecturer Mr. John Tumaku having a cozy lovey-dovey conversation on phone with my last year’s victim when I heard a loud voice blurted “wova do lo!!”(A local parlance which means-they have arrived). I immediately looked back and saw a convoy of private and commercial vehicles burdened with loads of passengers, bulging suitcases and bales of mattress. Those vehicles that had a long term rivalry with their mechanics labored on the street leading to the main school gate on their bald tires and worn shocks, emitting  puffs of exhaust.

 At a moment I thought they were funs who were coming to witness the performance of our most celebrated Rick Ross and his ever loving Roommate at our opening Sunday service. But if it was just for the attendance of our first Sunday church service, why the bales of mattress?

With my sack of whirling thoughts coupled with my strong appetite of curiosity, I was hypnotized by what I saw. I immediately regained my numbness just like a ghetto boy who has regained his numbness after few puffs of marijuana.

They are strangers of the land; looking humbly confused and are uncertain about the event of the next minute. They are the fresh young men and women admitted into my priceless prestigious premier polytechnic that is ever prepared to promote hand-on practical education. To some it was a dream comes through but to others it’s just one of the means to fuel their little single spine salary in order to take them home. 

As to whether or not their new land is a hot place to be, as purported by the natives, remains the least of their anxiety; they are entering this tunnel to see if it’s actually hot.

This reminded me of my first day on this campus; living an independent life for the first time. I vividly recall how I was uncomfortable sleeping in room partitioned with cloths into six apartments where everybody does what he so feel like doing without considering the convenience of the other mates. I remember receiving a phone call from my city Dzodze (don’t argue on that because I can prove it) as grandmother advised me to stay away from bad companies. Her advice gave me an enduring window of understanding into what it is like to be displaced and divided from the dominant culture and people of a place.

You are warmly welcome to Ho polytechnic. But as a new man in Rome you need to know what happens here.

Our environment is a beautiful place; very conducive for learning aside the welcoming disruptions by the aroma from the department of hospitality and tourism management.

The lecturers are ever ready to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge, so don’t be surprised if they always encourage you to purchase their handouts. This campus is full of mango trees with ripe and delicious mangoes hanging on each branch but you dare not pluck them, not even the one at gap (a prayer center where most of you would develop a short habit of attending).

I don’t intend taking the responsibilities of the school counselor or the deans but experience they say is always the best teacher.  There is something common on tertiary campuses called October rush.

October rush is a deceptive period or tradition on campus when old male students are in so much hurry and with the same tenacity as employed by dentist in removing a tooth to take advantage of fresh female students. My good friend Skido calls it “ambush laying” .Many old male students would be on the tails of new beautiful ladies knowing very well that the new ladies are bunch of novice with very low self esteem. These ladies can easily be misguided and lured into bed to satisfy their sexual yearnings popularly known as “congy level”. 

The old male students apply different deceptive tactics on the minds of fresh female students to beguile their avid interest. Playing good Samaritans; they have all information you need about the school. Information you cannot do without so you would huddle around them to listen. They help you in the registrations and payment of fees. They would make sure they do everything to help you out and you would always call them for help. After everything they would woo you. But trust me this tenure of love would expire when another set of fresh girls come in. 
They also dress so cute and fresh, handle expensive phones and gadgets just to lure you. The brilliant ones also have their strategies; they come around advising you how to learn in the school from there they would execute their bed agenda.

Fortunately there has not been any cultism in the school (for that I don’t know). Those who are next door mate would use proximity; because they are close to you they would try to lure you.

Some would be encroaching familiarity; have we met before? Your face looks familiar. I remember an interesting story about an old male student who asked a fresh lady; “what do you know about love at first sight?” The lady patiently replied; “its saves time”.

Beware and be aware of the spread of HIV AIDS. Be careful to keep your condoms with you if u can’t hold yourself. Be wise in choosing your hostel and roommate. But I want to be quick to add that if you are already infected with this deadly disease, please do not share it because you sharing it is not caring.

I know some of us reading this would have a tough time in their hunting expedition this time around because some of modus operandi has just been exposed. But if you are the brave and witty hunter like my roommate, then your trap would catch the “bayla”. I would only advise you to keep this rat forever just as I did by keeping my promise on the heels.

One of my favorite rules in my final years in PresecLegonwhich was on a much thumbed page of my school’s prospectus is “the bridge of common sense is the bridge of the school rule”. The same rule can be applied here and it’s not for only the odadees.

Wishing you a wonderful stay in the HOT POLYTECHNIC!!