Venturing into the Unknown (Part 3 of 3)

This is the third and final part of my story "Venturing into the Unknown". If you happened onto this story and would like to catch up from the beginning, here are the links to the first and second part.

Part 1 of 3 https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/venturing-unknown-part-1-ifunanya-ezeani-ccpp-/?published=t

Part 2 of 3 https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/venturing-unknown-part-2-3-ifunanya-ezeani-ccpp-/?trackingId=UTXTxgluSLSP1lGdyOzc0g%3D%3D

New doubts set in. New What ifs emerge?

This was the third blocker. Could these be signs that this might not be the time? As doubts set in, my friends and family reminded me that even when God approved for Moses to get the Israelites out of Egypt, after several wonders that compelled Pharaoh to cave into Moses’s request, the Israelites journey to the promised land was not a smooth sail, but they got there. They meant that the fact that I believed God for a successful trip does not mean I might not encounter some difficulties. When everything is out of your control, your trust and dependence on God grow.

Against several advice to drug myself with antibiotics or whatever could remove the COVID-19 strain from my body, I waited. I didn’t have any COVID-19 symptoms. I only visited the hospital a week later for pre-travel routine malaria and typhoid tests. The doctor found both malaria and typhoid antibodies in my blood cell and prescribed some medications. On Day 20, we did the fifth COVID-19 test, and thankfully, we both received negative results the following day. We bought new Qatar tickets (now more expensive than the initial one we cancelled) for the next day and made a quick twenty-one days’ hotel reservation at one of the thirty-six government-approved quarantine hotels.

On Day 20, we did the fifth COVID-19 test, and thankfully, we both received negative results the following day.

Quarantine hotel was a recent development that came into effect in late December 2020. Before then, the compulsory fourteen days quarantine could take place at any hotel, making it affordable for most arrivers. Also, the government has extended the quarantine period from fourteen to twenty-one days. Let me just say that our hotel budget expanded four times.

Journey completed and freedom at last!

Thirty-six hours after our departure from Lagos, we beheld one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The sky view of the Island as our flight started descending was mesmerising; even more, was the airport being so close to the water. The name Hong Kong translates as “fragrant harbour”. We wore our tracking wrist band, read written instructions directing us to download the Stay Home App linked to the tracking wrist band and other activities as held up by staff at the airport. We did the sixth COVID test in Hong Kong airport, got blankets, water, and sandwiches as we waited for over three hours for the result. We both tested negative again. Luckily, no one tested positive on our flight. This could have put us on a watch list and extended our stay at the airport.

A thud of the stamp on our passports saying “Journey Completed” was a defining moment. So in mid-February 2021, we completed the journey we started in early December 2020. We got our luggage after leaving the immigration clearance kiosk, collected two badges showing our hotel names, and waited for the government bus to convey us to our hotel. It was dark by the time we got into the bus that would convey us to Metro Park Hotel, Kowloon. Scanning through the bus windows with a tired set of eyes, I saw several clusters of skyscrapers than I have seen in my lifetime. Then I saw big lit up St Francis Xavier College signage on one building. Call it a coincidence or confirmation, and you will be right. I must have dozed off because the bus administrator woke us up at the hotel and handed us over to the hotel warders, who disinfected our luggage and pointed us forward to the reception. The receptionist gave us our room access card, took our food order for the night and the following day, and reminded us to activate the stayhomesafe app linked to the tracking wrist band as soon as we got into our room.

Then I saw big lit up St Francis Xavier College signage on one building. Call it a coincidence or confirmation, and you will be right.

I fell asleep reflecting on the methodological manner in which the airport officials organised the clearing activities of all arrivals into Hong Kong. In my entire life, I have seen nothing like that. I slept for two days, only waking up to eat Chinese food, speak to family, or brush my teeth. We made it! The first week in seclusion was easier than the second week and the third, and despite how we planned to maximise this period, by the end of the second week, fatigue and restlessness had set in. Like prisoners, our physical view of the world was through our hotel window. We would gaze at humans going about their usual activities as if that was a privilege. Seventh and eighth individual COVID-19 tests later, in the second and third week of our compulsory quarantine, we were both certified COVID-19 negative and free to remove the wrist tracker, free to delete the stayhomesafe app and free to walk out of our hotel room for the first time since check-in 21 days ago. Freedom at last!

Like prisoners, our physical view of the world was through our hotel window.

Reward: Nigerian okra soup!

We headed to a Nigerian restaurant after checking into a second hotel to reward ourselves for how far we have come and how much we have sacrificed to get here. At the restaurants, I had okra soup and eba (it has been over one month since I had that meal, but I still feel the taste in my mouth). While that meal reminded me of home, it also revealed that I was now an immigrant, and the things I took for granted in Nigeria had now become luxury!

As an African woman exploring Hong Kong, I had to get comfortable being stared at or given an awkward second glance. I am shy and not used to drawing attention, but I cannot avoid this one. There are few African/dark-skinned colour humans here, so naturally, I stand out everywhere; on the train, at the grocery store, at the library, in the church, in the post office, in the lift on my apartment, on the road, just about anywhere. I have made peace with it. It comes with the territory, and they are harmless curious stares. Once in a while, I receive a smile back.

As an African woman exploring Hong Kong, I had to get comfortable being stared at or given an awkward second glance.

Hong Kongers are some of the most helpful humans I have come across. Most people who speak English will help with directions, and those who do not will inform you they do not understand English by saying, “No English.” Where did I first hear that phrase? It was during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment working at GTBank Moloney Branch in Lagos Island. The market women once approached for account opening and greeted in English instead of Yoruba, would retort “No English.” To which I always responded, “oh sorry, thank you” as I scout through the faces of other humans for whatever information I needed as if I could recognize English speakers or hearers by their looks.

Cross-border transfer to Hong Kong. Asia payment story, anyone?

Documentation–done! Accommodation–check! Bank account–check! Daughter in school–check! I am almost settled. Since I have been heavy on spending, it has been difficult to change NGN to HKD. I had to resort to sending NGN to a friend who then sends AUS$ to a relative living in Australia, who then uses Wise (former TransferWise) to get the money to my HK Dollar bank account. Though a long hurdle, most of these transfers, NGN to NGN, happen in real-time, AUS$ to AUS$ in near real-time, while Wise AUS$ to my HKD account also happens in real-time. Indeed, this is digital payment, but couldn’t it be easier? Crypto based transfer is growing in popularity and is faster. But I promised not to digress to payment, even though the Asian and African payment industries share remarkable similarities. Asia payment story deserves untired eyes, so it’s a story for another day.

Having settled, I am ready to start a job after fifteen weeks of unemployment. If you or your organisation is looking for a smart, curious human with strong analytical, engagement, digital and problem-solving skills, who can thrive in dynamic situations and can reconcile diverse perspectives on (payment) issues, you have got me. Please hurry and send me a message requesting my portfolio before I am off the market??. Also, if you live in Hong Kong or have a close friend or family, or know someone who does, could they reach out so we can plan for lunch or dinner? This city is too beautiful to waste in isolation. I have so far only made one local friend. Do you know how it could become a burden to call only one friend for everything?

If you or your organisation is looking for a smart, curious human with strong analytical, engagement, digital and problem-solving skills, who thrive in dynamic situations and can reconcile diverse perspectives on (payment) issues, you have got me.

Lessons

This journey has taught me a lot about tough decisions and resilience. It is difficult to keep going in the face of outstanding uncertainty, stress, or adversity, but figuring out how to adjust to the changes and making progress separates quitters from winners. Several things could boost resilience, but in my case, three things stood out. The first was my unshakeable hold on God during this entire period. At first, it was funny, but after the second blocker, I knew the situation required some focus. Second, my strong network of family and friends kept calling, encouraging me, making crucial introductions on my behalf and even sending money when I was exhausting my travel budget. God bless my father! Finally, my sheer determination to give everything in my power to finish what I have started despite the direct financial, time, and emotional cost. Some humans call that courage.

Like I said when I started, this is not a story of arrival. At most points in life’s journey, life presents us with new difficulties. For me, it is learning a new language, succeeding in a new place, making new friends, and as unimportant as this might sound, managing my hair. So today, I challenge you–what are you afraid of venturing into? For those who have ventured into the unknown, what were your experiences? Were they worth it?

So today, I challenge you–what are you afraid of venturing into? For those who have ventured into the unknown, what were your experiences? Were they worth it?

While you chew on these questions, I have come to expect questions like “what kept you going” every time I narrated this experience. Basically, my friends wanted to know how I was living through those days I waited with uncertainty. Again, three things. It’s writing. I love writing. I published the report “State of Play: Web Acquiring Business in Nigeria on February 15th during this phase of my life. Second, reading. I am currently studying for a post-graduate diploma in Digital Business, so I have enough weekly assignment to worry about. I also picked up on reading for the publication of the payment newsletters that I publish weekly. Third, watching nerve-racking thrillers on Netflix/Amazon Prime videos when I am dead bored or trying to take a breather from too much reading and writing. 

You might wonder, “Did these activities made the situation easier?” “How did you concentrate on your reading and writing in such rough circumstances? Self-awareness. I made sure to occupy my mind with things I loved or aspired to (payment writing and graduating on top of my class). Having checked those, I knew I must find someone who had made a similar journey as I am about to make and succeeded. Basically, someone who had done something I aspire to. Once I adopted St. Francis Xavier as my patron saint for the trip, I internalized his story and made it mine. If he succeeded, I can. This single belief filled my mind with hope and made me give everything within my control to finish. If I tested positive for the fifth (5th) defining COVID-19 test and missed the trip because of it, I would still be content because I tried my best.

Self-awareness. I made sure to occupy my mind with things I loved or aspired to (payment writing and graduating on top of my class). Having checked those, I knew I must find someone who had made a similar journey as I am about to make and succeeded.

Vote of thanks

Speaking of a strong network of family and friends, I cannot thank Ehia and Izefua Erhaboh enough for making a home for my daughter in their home during her stay in Nigeria. Often, in Nigeria, we focus on what divides us like tribe and religion, but with Ehia and Izefua, it was about humanity. I have met a lot of kind humans in my lifetime, but Ehia and Izefua stand out.

Thanks to my study buddy, Chinwe Uzoho, who kept me grounded and reminded me of all deadlines and why I had to put things in perspective. Here is to graduating in a few weeks! Cheers to other professors in Group 14- Sid, Michael, and Cherro for making the group assignment fun.

Jane Egerton encouraged me to journal this experience and share it. Except with my daughter, family, and few close friends, I am naturally guarded against exhibiting public emotions, but Jane made vulnerability in her book Be Fearless: Give Yourself Permission To Be You very easy. I wondered if such openness has not affected her work, but now I know that being authentic and ambitious in chasing her dreams is exactly what set her apart. In several ways, our life stories have queer similarities. I can only hope to grow under her wings.

To my entire family–father, mother, my cousin, Bro Emma (who helped with documentation from the university during my application), my brothers and sisters who contributed financially and emotionally to this trip, I am grateful.

Close friends are rare to find; if you have some, draw them closer. Sometimes even acquaintances are angels in disguise. Moses Sule, Sheni Emmanuel, Jonathan Massot, Joshua Yau, Chijioke Nwajiugo, Anthony Gua, Father Pannachy & Pastor Jerry for the little ways your introductions, suggestions, advice, generosity, prayers, availability and kindness put smiles on my face during this phase, thank you. Final thanks to the Hong Kong government for believing I can make an impact.

Now, pour some wine and raise your glass. It’s time to cheer to the unknown and some luck!

***About: I've spent the last 12 years building experience in Business Development, Partnerships, Strategy & Operations spanning across Africa. I'm highly passionate about Financial Technology and Digital Innovation in the African Payment Space. I enjoy working with high performing teams to build innovative solutions. Solving the "how" of Strategic Implementation/Vision challenges related to businesses, products or partnerships is of utmost interest. If you've enjoyed this piece, don't hesitate to like, leave a comment and share the article with others.