Tales of Mira the Xplorer
Group Trips, Ghosts of Talking Stages, and Boundaries
Traveling is Sweet (with a Sprinkle of Bitter Aftertaste)
Let’s be honest — traveling is like a mango flavored candy bar: sweet, juicy, but slightly bitter when it’s over. (For me though). Recently, I got convinced to join a group of 14 to travel to Abeokuta on an adventure. The city under a rock. Organized by @corporate_xplorers on instagram for a weekend trip to Abeokuta.
Sounds wholesome, right? Two days of bonding, exploring, and pretending I wasn’t scared of Olumo Rock. But here’s the catch — traveling with people you don’t know can be the best thing ever and also a recipe for drama. And drama will ALWAYS find me.
I’m what you’d call an extreme ambivert. Extreme Introvert and Extreme Extrovert. I can be the life of the party today and ghost everyone the next day. On this trip, though, I went full extrovert mode and made it my mission to vibe with everyone — even the quiet ones who loved to avoid eye contact. I’m currently going through a lot in my life and I could really use a distraction and It’s really funny how a short trip can teach you so much about people — and yourself.
Now, every good story needs a plot twist, right? Enter Ryle. A Ghost from a dead Talking Stage. Yep, someone I once had a “thing” with was on this trip. Quick backstory: We met, we clicked, I liked him… until he casually mentioned he had a girlfriend. Oh, and he thought I’d be cool with being the “side piece.” Sir, this isn’t Game of Thrones. I’m the main character, always and forever. So, I blocked the vibes and kept it moving.
Fast forward to this trip. He must have thought the group setting was the perfect chance to rekindle whatever it was we had (spoiler: it was nothing). But let’s just say the only thing I rekindled was my sense of self-respect.
Now, traveling with a bunch of people means two things: constant socializing and the occasional “WTH” moments. I had my fair share of both. For example, after games night on Saturday, someone suggested a “special” one-on-one round of truth or dare. Because he loved how creative i was with the truth or dare, not the regular, “take 5 things off your body”, very creative but this guy wasn’t after the normal T & D card games, Oh no, this was the erotic version. Um, excuse me? Truth: I’m not interested. Dare: Respect my boundaries.
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Look, being outgoing and friendly is great, but it comes with people testing the waters. That’s where boundaries come in clutch.
They’re not just walls; they’re guidelines for how you deserve to be treated. And trust me, they make group trips 1000% easier.
The highlight of the trip? Climbing Olumo Rock. The downside? Realizing halfway up that I’m still scared of heights. But did I turn back? Nope. I dragged my shaky legs to the top, took in the view, and pretended I wasn’t internally screaming. I mean, Growth isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always worth it. Abeokuta, you were fun (kind of), but I won’t be visiting again. No hard feelings.
Traveling has a way of pulling you out of your shell — or, in my case, shoving you right out. It’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about learning how to navigate new dynamics, rediscovering yourself, and setting boundaries that protect your peace.
This trip wasn’t perfect, but it was unforgettable. It reminded me that life is one big journey, full of sweet moments, awkward reunions, and valuable lessons. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: every trip, every awkward truth-or-dare suggestion, and every Olumo Rock climb adds to the story of who I’m becoming.
So, here’s to more adventures, more growth, and more tales of Mira the Explorer. Just… maybe not in Abeokuta.
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