Bee's day out

Book Review - Tina Okpara “My Life Has a Price”

Hey Y’all,

I’ve been away for a while but I’M BACK!!! I do hope that you missed me. Well there’s no need to panic because I’m here to stay.

To kick off this adventure, I have reviewed a book that I recently read from Nigerian author Tina Okpara. Enjoy and see you very soon.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Bee’s_Day_Out xoxo

Editor: Michel Lafon

Publisher: Amalion Publishing

Price: £14.95 Tina Okpara’s “My life has a Price

A memoir of survival and freedom”, is based on Tina’s personal story of abuse and torture at the hands of her adoptive family, during her early teenage years. This story is a direct account of Tina’s memories and there are no details spared. The book begins with the author in the midst of running away from her persecutors [Rain is falling. My tears are too…My heart tells me to run…], which immediately sets the tone for this vivid recollection of awful events to come. The book’s first chapter is full of tension and immediately sets the reader’s heart racing, as Tina’s escape plan is partially foiled by a neighbour, [“Help me for goodness’s sake, help me…I cannot help you Tina.”].

Unfortunately this tension disappears after the first chapter, only to resurface much later in book, when Tina is told by her adoptive mother Linda Okpara that [“You’re stupid! You think they take dunces at school?”], but the intensity experienced in the story telling from the first chapter never really returns. After the book’s fifth chapter, the reader is taken rapidly through a series of events, including another failed escape attempt [“Linda turns her pit bull face to me…why did you run away?…are you not treated well here?”] and then into the even darker sides of Tina’s abuse which include sexual abuse from her step father Godwin Okpara [“He made me think that he loved me like a father and he raped me!”] and genital mutilation courtesy of her adoptive mother [“I am going to mark you forever…twice she puts the sharp blade on my vagina”], who believes that this is a fit punishment after witnessing her husband raping their adoptive daughter.

This book paints painfully vivid pictures of Tina’s experience, but in doing so, readers may feel that the way in which the author has chosen to recount her awful experience, makes the entire book feel more like a court witness statement or a stream of consciousness, than a story being told. Especially, when the author addresses the reader whilst describing horrific events, she asks us if [“are you keeping up with me”]. However, some readers may feel that being treated like they are witnessing Tina’s experience first hand, brings them closer to the author.

“My Life Has a Price”, is only 186 pages long and I felt that although Tina’s recollection of the horrors she went through, is hard-hitting, the story telling feels slightly rushed and under developed. For example, the book ends with Tina escaping from her tormentors and seeing them put behind bars, but I was anxious for the author to open up more about how she felt, rather than just tell us the facts about what had happened to her.

Readers will enjoy this honest and direct account of the author’s experience, but the storytelling in this book needs improving, in order for the reader to really get to know the author, rather than just experience the events that defined her situation.

HOW I GOT MY BOUNCE BACK

Read all about it people!

A lot has changed since my last post “What becomes of the broken hearted” (you can check it out here: http://bengono.tumblr.com/post/18196588715/what-becomes-of-the-broken-hearted)

I’m no longer broken hearted, and I’d like to thank all the peeps (you know who you are), that listened to me whine on about how in love I thought I was! I’m all good now!

So this blog is in honour of Bee’s Day Out bouncing back to life! Woop woop! Like a good wine, the rest of this year is going to be GREAT.

Ozwald Boateng

Meeting Mister Ozwald Boateng OBE, was a highlight. I was at the screening and Q&A of his film “A Man’s Story”, directed by Varon Bonicos. The event was held at the Curzon cinema on Bond Street.

(Me and the Mister Boateng)

Like many, I did have some apprehensions about this film. I didn’t want to be forced, to buy into some sort of Ozwald Boateng propaganda. With the designer, trying to tell us about how he “saved” Savile Row or indeed the world of men’s tailoring.

(Ozwald and Vernon during the Q&A)

I can’t say that there weren’t elements of self indulgence, but you’d be considered crazy, for not using your own film a to promote your best work. So critics of this documentary, need to look at the real story, which is just a man trying to make it.

As a young black woman, Ozwald Boateng is one of the important black British role-models that we have. He showed us that hard work and belief are important ingredients to fulfilling your dreams. I enjoyed the film because I felt proud of him for laying his life bare, and inviting us into his own crazy, mish-mash of a world.

(Ozwald meeting fans)

Ozwald’s mum and sister were in the audience and that was touching. The designer went back to Ghana to give back to his community. It’s such a privilege to know your roots and you always have to give back. I want to thank Ozwald for being an inspiration to me and many others.

New Peeps

Continuing on the fashion pathway readers, let me introduce you to @HAUSDETSCHAN. We met at a London College of Fashion event and I was blown away!

(The style is impeccable)

(Just look at those shoes)

I loooooooooovvvvvvveeee it when the LDN introduces me to such creative people.

Ps: All will be revealed in time regarding the London College of Fashion event

I snuck around the London College of Fashion with @SIMONPETERS86 and saw this magnificent exhibition.

(I love the construction of these pieces)

(Wow)

POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD

I still can’t believe that I actually performed some poetry in front of an audience, at Keats House.

Big up to @DeanAtta and @Norwegiancheese and the London Transport Museum for supporting us.

(Welcomed by the exhibition’s curator Clive)

I was lucky enough to be part of a poetry workshop held at the London transport Museum. We looked around the museum to get a sense of how we felt the future of transport would look like.

(Hard at work writing poetry)

As a result of this wonderful event, I’m now trying to start up a poetry group. There were so many talented people at the workshop, it would be a shame to lose all that creatvity.

AND FINALLY…KNITTNG

I have to say a big THANK YOU to knitting tsar Aneeta Patel (check out: http://www.knittingsos.co.uk/) and to all the ladies at SOS Knitting. Thank you for helping me get over the heartache. All I needed was two needles and a yarn of wool!

(Aneeta and us)

I am now in love the knitting! If you’re looking for a new passion, I would definitely recommend knitting!

(This yarn is going to magically transform into my first scraf)

Stay tuned to see if I can knit my first scarf!

Thank you for taking the time to read the blog, please follow me back and show it to others.

PHOTO OF THE BLOG

I was lucky enough to see singer Neneh Cherry djing whilst she was in the capital, it was AWESOME!

(Woohoo Bee’s Day Out, friend and Neneh Cherry)

If you have any fun events going on, just drop me a line on Twitter:

@Bees_Day_Out

Thank you again,

Bee’s Day Out

oxoxoxoxo

What becomes of the broken hearted

Hey there readers,

Last week was an interesting few days! Oh yeah!

After a week spent recovering from a broken heart, I put on my glad-rags and decided that seeing the capital would be a good way of kick starting the healing process.

So here’s how I mended my first broken heart in the LDN:

VALENTINE’S DAY

What a crazy way to start right…hahaha! I had to do something! So I trotted on down to Brixton Library, where they were holding their first annual “Erotic Lounge”. I went to support my friends who are part of the LGBT community.

(Olumide Popoola Nigerian-German writer and poet performing)

You’ll all be familiar with poet and writer Dean Atta (@deanatta on twitter). He read some fantastic and personal material. He touched on a one time lover and S.E.X (at its deepest sensuality).

I discovered another young poet who performed some superb work. Introducing Mister Keith Jay (aka Keith Jarrett) to the blog. His stuff was just so touching and it spoke directly to me (that sounds so cheesy). I just kept thinking, damn I wish I could write about love in a way that makes sense.

(Keith Jay performing)

We are poets

Spoken word and poetry dominated last week’s agenda. I attended the screening of a brilliant independent film “We are poets” being released nationwide on the 16th April.

(The cast and director Alex)

From the film makers themselves:

“WE ARE POETS intimately follows six young poets over the course of one very special year, as they are chosen to represent the UK at Brave New Voices, the most prestigious poetry slam competition in the USA.  From their inner city lives to a stage in front of the White House in Washington DC, the poets must prepare for a transformational journey of a lifetime.”

Please support the film if you can http://www.wearepoets.co.uk/ it was directed by Alex Ramseyer-Bache and Daniel Lucches

After the film, we enjoyed some spoken word thanks to The Word House. All this lovely poetic enlightening happened at the Curzon cinema in Soho.  

STOOKI AND CONCRETE FUN

The fun continued @ Concrete. Designing trio Stooki were showcasing some of their creations. Check out their work on http://www.stooki.co.uk/

(I wish I’d bought a t-shirt - they were awesome)

What more could a girl want, the jewellery is immense. 

Luke (@Luke_Hi)- Stooki

Quincey(@quinceythinks) - Stooki

Sorry Nadia (1/3) of the Stooki outfit, you’re missing in the photo album! We kept missing each other that night. You can catch her on Twitter though @nadstooki. 

Kojey Radical (follow @KojeeyRadical) was doing some painting during the night

(Just lil old me having a bit of a blast)

Photo of week for the blog

Now that I’m in the capital, I have to mark this year’s London Fashion Week. So here is a photo of the photographer’s bus (I’m being unfashionable).

Yes people, I’m taking my hat off to those men and women who had to ferry all the “VIPS” back and forth. 

Well that’s it from me this week, but you know the drill homies follow me on Twitter and pass on the blog!

Twitter: @Bees_Day_Out

See you next time.

Bee’s Day Out

XOXOXO

BEE’S DAY OUT IS BACK IN TOWN

Hey there readers!

It’s been a while hasn’t it!? OMG it’s taken me so long to settle back into life in the LDN. The cold weather and lack of sunlight hit me hard!

(snow pictures can be so pretty)

The freezing weather hasn’t really stopped me from getting out there. I spent the last couple of weeks seeing what the capital has to offer Bee’s Day Out in 2012!

(Cheeky grin after a few cheeky drinks)

I’ve already had the opportunty of seeing some fantastic places and meeting some wonderful people, bring it on 2012….

DEAN ATTA - MUSIC VIDEO

This is probably the most exciting project I’ve been part of since moving to London and I want to say a big THANK YOU to poet/writer Dean Atta (follow Dean on Twitter @DeanAtta).

(Me and Dean - the man himself)

I was lucky enough to be part of the music video of Dean’s 2007 work “Young Black and Gay” have a listen on Sound Cloud (click on the link) it’s awesome. The track was Written and Produced by Rokk , co-produced by Philippos and the lyrics were by Mister Dean Atta.

(Filming in progress)

(J.O.E.L working the dance moves for the video)

I wore the most AMAZING outfit during the shoot! Check out the 80s inspired/ university professor gown:

(Thank you to @Sophie_Rees for making me look good)

Young Black and Gay

My people are many and few
Subdivisions of me and you
Substantial people sometimes called subhuman
Negroes, faggots and all the youths them

So many people had to fight
To get anything like equality
We ain’t there yet but we’re gonna be

I’m from a long line of scholars
Trace me back to Greece and Africa
Through Cyprus and Jamaica
I don’t write to be pretentious
But my vocab and vision leave you defenseless

Trying hard to avoid the cliches
But everything worth saying’s been said these days

Don’t think your right came overnight (all the youths them)

All the youths them

So if you wanna test me let me hear your phonics
I’m not a battle emcee; I’m a community defender
Young, black and gay; you best remember

Damien Hirst

No I didn’t meet the man himself (not yet anyway).

Getting a bit of culture in the LDN is easy to come by and thank goodness most of it is free. So I popped down to the Gagosian Gallery to see the London leg, of the Damien Hirst “Complete spot collection 1986-2011”.

I wasn’t allowed to take pictures in the gallery - and I got told off for getting too close to one of the paintings. I thought the whole point of art was looking at the detail!?

I enjoyed the exhibition, it highlighted how conceptual art still is and how Damien Hirst has used these spot drawings as a journey for himself as an artist.

FOOD IN 2012

You know I how much I love food, so to honour my commitment my first outing was to Bogayo in Shoreditch.

It had a lovely North African inspired theme, which was perfect for filling my African/Cameroon void.

(Yummy starter - houmous, falafel, beans, pitta)

I had a mixed grill main and we ended the night with a bit of Shisha (peach flavour) delightful!

PHOTO GALLERY

A quick run through the other fun things that I’ve done or spotted over the last couple of weeks:

(It’s the irony of this sign above. It’s been there for ages)

The Tim Barber exhibition at MOTHER we went to the opening. The films and photos were really nice.

Chilling out one weekend with @svenkaifel who decided to play with fire -please don’t try this at home)

Thanks for continuing to read the blog and you can follow Bee’s Day Out on Twitter:

@Bees_Day_Out

Feel free to leave comments or if you know of any events going on, let me know!

Bee’s Day Out

oxoxoxo

TILL NEXT TIME CAMEROON

Hey, hey, hey

It’s time to wrap up the wonderful visit to Cameroon. 

I miss you beloved country of origin! Seriously as cliché as this sounds, the whole trip was a brilliant learning experience.

(Ebombe - The village my family comes from)

(Ebombe-a beautiful villlage)

I found out where my family comes from and I’m now a stronger person for it. I’d recommend everyone go back to their roots (whether you’re from Essex or Cameroon) LOLZ! 

As I look back at all the wonderful places and people, I realise that it would be cruel not to show you some of my favourite photographs from this trip:

(the pineapple plant…AWESOME)

(food sellers trying to get their products to passengers on a moving bus)

(these kids were selling bananas and batons de manoc along the central route) 

Another unforgettable event was wearing an outfit I designed at my uncle’s 50th birthday party.

(finally got my Cameroon fabric) 

Food

This is just a snap shot of the wonderful food Cameroon has to offer. There are so many dishes and it’s a shame I didn’t have time to sample them all.

(Breakfast-scrumptious)

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I relished it! Most mornings we would be graced with the beauty that is “beignets et haricots”, which is translated as fried dumplings and beans. You couldn’t start you day without filling up on a good cooked breakfast.

My family luuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrvvvveee food and below are some of the spreads they put on:

(Oncle Ernest’s buffet)

Above was my plate for the occasion filled with plantins, chicken and ncoq (another traditional sauce) yummy!

My aunty’s buffet (above) was also top notch, with various traditional Cameroon sauces, semoule, beef, ndole and so many other wonderful surprises (see below)

At this occasion my plat was also loaded with…caterpillars and to tell you the truth, they were delicious. They tasted very crunchy and sweet.

(caterpillars- even I didn’t get it! They were tasty though) 

If any of you ever go to Cameroon, please make sure that you try the world’s best snack…SOYA 

Soya is pieces of meat on bamboo sticks seasoned to perfection and cooked on an open log fire. There is no better way to enjoy meat, I just wish I didn’t have to go all the way to Cameroon to find it.

Finally, there was a beautiful restaurant in the city of Douala that I will never forget, it was so picturesque and the food was to die for but what gave this restaurant, that extra special feel, was the fact that you could see the coastline of Equatorial Guinea:

(What a gorgeous restaurant)

(The coastline of Equatorial Guinea) 

My hair

Anyone who knows me, also knows that I don’t care much for my hair! At any given opportunity I will cut off all those afro curls! And during my time in Cameroon, nothing changed. Our family barber Bose did the job, better than any barber back home (and his salon was a wooden shack!)

(Bose at work)

(This is the salon - made completely out of wood)

Family

But the most important lesson I took away from this trip is how important FAMILY IS:

(Bengono and grandma Mamita)

My family and I went on this trip was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of my grandmothers death and just like she would have wanted, we celebrated in her honour…

Fingers crossed I’ll be going back to see my aunties, uncles and cousins very very soon. I miss the hot weather and the scrumptious food too!

Back home

My lovelies, I’m now back in the LDN now so follow the LDN 2012 blog…Adventures of a skint Londoner having fun and hold down a decent job!

Thanks for reading and feel free to pass it on

Follow me on Twitter:

@Bees_Day_Out

Bee’s Day Out

oxoxox

ON THE EDGE OF AFRICA IN KRIBI

Dear readers,

Happy New Year!

The Cameroon blog is nearing it’s final chapters! The last posts will show you the continuous beauty of this amazing country! 

I had the opportunity to visit some wonderful spots out here, but the town of Kribi was by far my favourite. Cameroon my not be as tourism friendly as some of the other countries in Africa, but it has the potential to be AWESOME!!

(Just look at this beautiful beach - that’s the North Atlantic Ocean hitting the coast)

Fishing

The beach at Kribi is still used to catch fish. The fishermen on this coast, use wooden ships known as “une pirogue” to capture their prey. This is big business here, it’s a shame that fish cannot be found so easily in all parts of Cameroon.

(Kribi fishermen at work)

 

(Une pirogue)

I managed to hop on-board a pirogue and no word of a lie, it felt like I was sitting in the most fragile boat in the world. It makes you realise just how much, these people are risking their lives to make a living.

(There’s no way I’d venture out to sea in one of these)

Chutes de la Lobe

Waterfalls have always amazed me. I think, that they are one of the most beautiful sights on earth and coming face to face with the “Chutes de la Lobe”, completely mesmerized me.

(No that’s not me in the pirogue!)

(the beautiful chutes de la Lobe)

These waterfalls are unique, as they are one of the few in the world that go directly into the ocean. I tried to get as close as I could by foot, but the best way to see these falls up close, is to hope into a pirogue (that’s for the braver ones among us).

Souvenirs

No seaside resort would be complete without its souvenir shops. 

(I bought three of these key rings of two hands and an outline of Cameroon for 500 FCF each)

This small little boutique by the very edge of the water was cute, I can’t help but wonder what they do when the tide is high.

The Pygmys

We were meant to go and see the pygmy people too on this trip, but that plan fell by the wayside, when we realised that we’d have to go an negotiate with the village chief and several other people. I do however, promise to visit the pygmys on my next trip to Cameroon.

Because my sight-seeing tour…lol to Kribi was so enjoyable. I leave you now with a few more pictures from the coast of West Africa.

There’s one last blog to go and then it’s back to finding new adventures closer to home.

Go ahead and pass this blog onto your friends and family and follow me on Twitter:

@Bees_Day_Out

Bee’s Day Out

 oxoxox

EXPLORING EDEA

Hey Hey readers,

I really wish you could be here with me, enjoying the beauty that is Cameroon

On this trip, Bee’s Day Out will be visiting four of this country’s main cities :

Edea

Kribi

Doula

Yaounde

Today I put my exploring hat on and off I went to see what Edea has to offer. It’s a relatively small town outside the capital Yaounde, but it does have its own little quirky spots.

(Bensiki motor bikes)

Most people get around on motorbike taxis, if you’re fearless then they’re alot of fun! Someone has said, that they once saw 7 people onboard one of them…CRAZY!

(Look at how small the bike actually is…Imagine 7 people on here)

The market is where its all at!! You can buy anything from food, to spices and clothes! I know you’re thinking it sounds like a normal market back home in the LDN, but trust me it’s soooooooooooo different!

(The market in Edea)

There’s no real order, people just pitch up their stall anywhere

(onions and spices on sale)

My favourite part of any markets here though, are material stands and I haven’t been disappointed yet! There are some fantastic designs in Cameroon and although the colours and patterns look similar, each one has its own unique look.

(beautiful fabrics that can ONLY be found in Cameroon)

Red Earth

In this part of the country, the roads are far from perfect! We may complain about the size of potholes back home but trust me, YOU AIN’T SEEN NOTHING YET! The red earth as we’ve named it, is what the roads are made up of in Edea, so getting around ain’t easy!

Speaking of travelling, I’m off to Yaounde and Douala for the next couple of days!

As I continue on my travels I hope you’re enjoying the blog! Do pass it on if you like it!

I hope that you all had a nice christmas! This is my star picture of the blog:

Our christmas tree was a PALM TREE!

Follow me on twitter:

@Bees_Day_Out

There’s more to come from Bee’s Day Out in Cameroon.

Bee’s Day Out

xoxoxo

48 hours in Cameroon (West Africa)

Hey there readers,

Bee’s Day Out would like you to come onboard the 8.55am flight from Paris to Cameroon (there’s a stop off in Brussels, I hope you don’t mind).

Its been nothing but good times since we landed in the Capital Yaounde, but let’s not jump the gun, here’s how this great adventure started.

LIFT OFF

First we flew from Paris to Brussels. The plan was that we’d booked a minibus to take from central Paris to the airport but that idea crashed and burned when the…THE MINIBUS DIDN’T TURN UP…but it all worked out in the end, and we arrived in Brussels just in time to hop onboard our second plane straight to the western coast of Africa…woohoo!

(Bee’s Day Out in Brussels)

Lugguage and Vaccinations

On arrival in Cameroon I was given my final vaccination, against Yellow Fever. I quickly realised that no matter where you are in the world, vaccinations f***king hurt like hell!!! So once that nightmare was over, we were given the task of identifying our luggage!! OMG trying to find your luggage in a boiling hot airport, when almost everyone else, has the same black suitcase as you is NOT easy!!!  Next time I’m buying a bright orange or yellow suitcase that stands out from the crowd!

Home Sweet Home

We finally made it to my uncle’s house for dinner and a well deserved good night’s sleep.

The next morning we woke, had a little bit of breakfast and I popped into my aunty’s dress making workshop. She’s a seamstress and has previously worked for French label Celine.

The picture below of the house with the clothes hanging outside, is very representative of the area near where my uncle lives. Most of the houses in poorer areas ressemble this one.

No rest for the Wicked

It’s so hard not to get tried here! It’s so hot and every ounce of energy you have feels like gold dust. So after staying in Yaounde (the Cameroon capital), for a night we headed of to Edea, a smaller town two and a half hours away.

I called this bit “No rest for the Wicked”, because we had  to hop on a coach and we missed our stop and ended up about 2/3 miles in the wrong direction, because no one had realised that each passenger needs to tell the driver where they want him to stop…LOL!

Poolside

After a few days of hefty travelling and eating, I was happy to go and chill by the pool at a nearby hotel. This adventure is not about chillaxing, so this will be the only poolside stop off.

Favourite photo in Cameroon so far…A fabric shop in Edea! Read more about the Edea trip in the next blog!

(These fabrics are the best in Africa)

There’s more to come from Bee’s Day Out in Cameroon.

You can follow me on twitter too:

@Bees_Day_Out

Bee’s Day Out

xoxoxo