A fashion designer, Ohimai Atafo, aka Mai Atafo, speaks to MOTUNRAYO AKINRUN about his travel experiences in Italy and South Africa
What are the things you look out for when you travel?
Firstly, I think I always look out for or understand their fashion. I try to understand why they do what they do because that could be an inspiration for something I could do. I look out for anything that strikes or attracts my interest, which includes theatre and music, and I like to attend such events.
I also like to take a long walk for up to four or five hours when I am out of Nigeria. I love to observe things and I like interior design a lot. So, I go into stores for interior decor just to get inspiration. That’s what I do when I travel.
Do you enjoy travelling?
I don’t like the process but I like the destination. I don’t like packing, buying tickets, going to the airport, then to the plane, sitting down for hours, and landing, to be processed, immigration or customs. I don’t like all of that but I like traveling to different places.
How often do you travel to other countries?
I travel a lot; almost every month. Maybe in a year, I might travel almost 12 times.
In which countries did you have the most memorable experiences?
Italy and South Africa. I have been on a tour in South Africa and I think it is the most beautiful place in the world. It is very serene and has beautiful landscapes.
The place is just nice, especially the seaside, where everywhere looks so very pure, nice and fresh and nice.
What part of Italian culture caught your attention?
Italians are just passionate about everything, including their food, what they drink, eat, and dress. Italian interior designs are amazing. They care a lot about their religion too.
What was the strangest food you ate while there?
I am not too adventurous with food. So, I don’t eat strange things I don’t know. I don’t think I have eaten anything strange. However, there was nothing strange that they did there that I didn’t know.
Were you stereotyped based on where you came from?
No, I wasn’t stereotyped.
Did you make friends during your stay there?
Yes, I made a few friends. Some of them ended when I left. It is just a few I still communicate with occasionally.
What tourist attractions did you visit while you were in South Africa?
I went to Mandela’s prison. I also went to Lion Head, Table Mountain, and for bridge bugging jumping. Then, I went to one of the biggest polo tournaments in the country.
What are your go-to travel items?
First of all, it must be my headphones, hand sanitiser, and hand lotion in my bag. Wherever I go, I must have my credit card and debit card, then the Internet.
What advice do you have for people who intend to travel out of the country?
It depends on what they are travelling out for. If you are travelling out of Nigeria, open your ears and mind. This is because if you observe very well what is happening in front of you, you may come back home with a new perspective on life, and maybe a new idea for business.
Don’t just go there to just enjoy and do the things most people do on social media. It is important that you watch and ask yourself why they do what they do. Anything that doesn’t look like the norm to you, try to ask questions.
If you were offered citizenship of any country, which would you take?
I don’t think there’s any particular one that I want because I already have Nigerian and British citizenship. That already gives me access to any other country I may be interested in. I don’t think there’s another place I want to go and live my life and not come back to Nigeria. Hence, I am not interested in any other citizenship.
What were some of the things you saw in Italy and South Africa that you would like to see replicated in Nigeria?
There is security which enables you to go anywhere anytime and nothing would happen to you. Secondly, there is orderliness in the places that I went to, and no one was trying to play a fast one on others. Everyone is trying to be helpful and to assist if they can.
Nigerians are actually very helpful generally. It is the few bad ones that make things really bad for us. Also, their roads are good; there’s electricity, water and the like. Those are the things I wish I could have back in my own country.
Whenever you travel out of the country, what do you miss the most about Nigeria?
I do miss Nigerian food.
What other countries are on your bucket list?
I have Singapore, Sweden, Indonesia, and Australia.
