TRAVELOGUE: THE TRAIN TO PADDINGTON by Wale Okediran

Breakfast at the Hall of Wadham College, Oxford University, UK was a routine meeting place for many of the delegates to the maiden edition of the James Currey Literary Festival. Organized by the young and energetic Nigerian Writer and Academic, Onyeka Nwelue, the festival was to honor the contributions of Prof James Currey, co-founder of the famous African Writers Series.
Tucked away in a corner of the claustrophobic bowel of the College which was established in 1610, the Hall was busy that early morning as writers from all corners of the world tucked into the typical English breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and tea.
As we ate and chattered in a warm camaraderie that is typical of writers events, some of the famous alumni of the University College starred down at us from the paintings hung on the walls of the cavernous ancient hall. Amongst Wadham’s most famous alumni are Sir Christopher Wren, one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history who was also an anatomist, astronomer, geometer, and mathematician as well as the broadcaster, novelist and actress, Rosamund Pike.
Established in 1096, Oxford University is the oldest University in the English-speaking world and second oldest in the world after the University of Bologna, Italy which was established in 1088 and reputed to be the oldest University in continuous operation in the world. Oxford is also said to run the world’s largest university press, the largest academic library system in the country, as well as the oldest university museum.
To reach the University which is located in Oxford city, 90 km northwest of London which was my working base on the trip, I had to take the train from Paddington Train Station. As I heaved my luggage which consisted mainly of books into the crowded train at Dagenham East station for the one-hour trip to Paddington, I was both alarmed and at the same time excited at what I saw.
After a two-year hiatus brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic, it was a delight to resume my international traveling routine. As a regular visitor to London, I used to be impressed with the sight of train commuters keeping themselves busy reading newspapers, magazines and novels.
However, rather than bury their heads in printable material, most of the commuters on the train to Paddington that early September morning were glued to their phones, I Pads, tablets and Apps of different brands and colors.
And as they twitted, flipped switches and browsed away, the expressions on their busy faces ranged from anger, laughter to deep concentration. Judging from the fact that commuters of all ages were involved in the electronic exercise, it was obvious that the digital age has finally caught up with the young and old.
As I surveyed the breadth and length of the train with its ‘digital readers’, my book laden luggage briefly felt out of place. It did not matter that I was going for a Book Festival where I would meet some famous members of the Book Industry ranging from Writers, Publishers, Printers and Book sellers. It did not also matter that I was going to Oxford to witness the release of the UK edition of my new book with the endless possibilities of exposure to the international literary market, Literary prizes and other ancillaries for my literary career.
All that mattered to me at that time was the fear of a gradual demise of the book no thanks to technology.

Another interesting observation on the train was the enormity of London’s mixed racial population. Although, historically, London has always been composed of a mish-mash of races drawn from every corner of the globe, according to recent statistics, the city has now become one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. Over 300 languages are now spoken in Greater London.
At the 2011 census, Greater London had a population of 8,173,941. Of this number 44.9% were White British. 37% of the population were born outside the UK, including 24.5% born outside of Europe.
Apart from the well- known teeming population of Asians, Africans, Caribbean and other white immigrants, intermarriages among these races have gone on to produce a new generation of British citizens with ‘colors of the rainbow’
Even though the fast evolving new metropolis had been predicted many years ago by demographers The Sunday Times 2018 report that “Britain has the highest rate of interracial relationships in the world” took many sociologists by surprise.
It was therefore not surprising that above the clattering and screeching and rumbling of the Paddington bound train, a medley of different languages ranging from English, Indian, Spanish, German to some African languages such as Yoruba, Hausa, Twi, Igbo among others floated in the rarefied interior of the carriages as commuters spoke into the ubiquitous cellular phones.
About two hours later on arrival at the Oxford University venue of the Book festival, it was obvious that my observation on the Train that early morning about the new reading inclination of many people was very well known to the literati that attended the literary event. As the lively program progressed, writers after writers harped very strongly on the need to embrace digital publishing in order to keep up with the new Literary order.
It was the US based Nigerian literary activist and book critic, Ikhide Roland Ikheola who put it very succinctly. While delivering the James Currey Lecture on the second day of the three-day event, Ikhide called on African writers to embrace digital publishing in order to be in tandem with global developments.
As he put it; ‘’On balance, the West has been supportive of African literature, but the Internet and social media house authentic African narrative, unlike the sanitized gruel from many traditional Western publishing houses. We must revive the African narrative organically.”
Later in the evening, I decided to take a walk round the University, which has consistently played a big role in the education of many African scholars, politicians and writers.
These include former Ghanaian Presidents, Edward Akufo-Ado and John Kufour, the former Nigerian soldier and politician, Emeka Ojukwu and Bram Fisher, the lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela during his political trials as well as the famous Nigerian writer, Diran Adebayo among others. It is equally important to note that Lady Kofoworola Ademola from Nigeria was the first black woman to graduate from Oxford.
My sightseeing commenced at Waldahm College where I had stayed with some of the writers in the clean and modest dormitory.
As I admired the ancient buildings around the front quadrangle including the chapel and the Hall I was impressed by the medieval and symmetrically built buildings. I later learnt that the buildings which were built around 1609 are Jacobean in style. They were designed by the famed architects, William Arnold and Sir Christopher Wren.
As I roamed through the cobbled and claustrophobic side streets of the ancient institution, with its array of medieval but well preserved buildings, I reflected on the importance of the preservation of archival material be they of structural, literary or visual arts background. Since it was impossible for me to visit all the 38 Colleges that make up the University, I was contented with the few Colleges I could visit.
Away from bustling London, the iconic buildings of Trinity College, Queens College, and Waldheim College among other colleges stood in majestic grandeur in the September twilight as a fitting testimony to more than 1000 years of Oxford’s diverse history and heritage.
I returned to London via the same Paddington train station to the blazing headline news of the election of the new British Prime Minister, Elizabeth Truss.
Perhaps, what attracted more public attention was the fact that the new Prime Minister had selected a cabinet where for the first time in the country’s history, a white man did not hold any of the country’s four most important ministerial positions.
While Kwasi Kwarteng – whose parents came from Ghana in the 1960s – is Britain’s first Black finance minister, James Cleverly whose mother hails from Sierra Leone but whose father is white, is the first Black foreign minister. Suella Braverman, whose parents came to Britain from Kenya and Mauritius six decades ago, is the second ethnic minority home secretary while Kemi Badenoch of Nigerian parenthood but married to a white British is the Minister of International Trade.
Despite the fact that the upper ranks of business, the judiciary, the civil service and army are all still predominately white, this new development elicited different reactions from different quarters.
My British friend, Alistair who is now a retired CEO of a Nigerian based multinational organization was not happy with the development. Alistair who had invited me to lunch at the Old Bank of England on Fleet street, one rainy afternoon was piqued that the four most powerful positions in the cabinet of the new British Prime Minister, had gone to people of color.
Alistair also complained that many nefarious behaviors ranging from knife stabbing incidents to election malpractices which were hitherto unknown to British culture have now become commonplace. ‘’I am not a racist’’ Alistair contended, ‘’however, I believe that the owners of a country should be in control of their country and not foreigners’’ he added.
On the other hand, many members of the Asian and African communities are happy with the rising profile of their kith and kin in the UK. Malik, the elderly Pakistani cab driver who took me out on one occasion when the rain from the unpredictable English weather had prevented me from taking the bus was ecstatic with joy.
Flashing me the photograph of his first son, he said; ‘’he had a first class degree in Economics from the University of Kent and is currently in Oxford University for his masters. Maybe, one day, he may become the British Prime Minister’’ he chuckled.
Since football is an integral part of English tradition, one sunny day, in lieu of watching a football match, I decided to visit the home of one of my favorite football clubs, Tottenham Hotspurs. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is located in the northern suburbs of London. Built in place of the its former White Hart Lane Stadium (1899-2017), it has been the home of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club since April 2019.
As I went round the magnificent edifice which is said to have cost the whopping sum of 1 billion Pounds to build, I was informed that apart from football matches, the facility is also used for Concerts, Conferences and Events.
After several days of eating ‘Oyinbo’ food, I hungered seriously for some African/Nigerian food. I therefore went in search of a Nigerian restaurant.
Fortunately, I found one in Barking, East London. I was surprised at the array of Nigerian food on the menu, especially the different types of soups. I was just cleaning up my plate of ‘Amala’ and ‘Ewedu’ laced with an array of assorted beef when the Television set tucked into a corner of the restaurant announced the passing away of 96- year -old Queen Elizabeth.
Coming just a few days after the emergence of a new Prime Minister, the death of the Queen and the subsequent crowning of a new King was definitely a momentous time in the history of the UK.
Even though she lived to a very old age, the UK and many parts of the Commonwealth went into mourning at the news of her death. While the front page of the London Daily Express read; OUR BELOVED QUEEN IS DEAD, the Daily Mail in its ‘historic special edition’ ran a tear-jerking headline; OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN.
Although a double rainbow was said to had appeared over Buckingham Palace moments after the announcement of the Queen’s demise, I missed what the Daily Mail had described as ‘a glorious splash of color in the grey afternoon sky’ due to my gastronomic assignment in the Nigerian restaurant.
And so it was that I took off to Buckingham Palace the following morning to join other mourners to pay my respect to the late Queen Elizabeth 11.
Even though the announcement of the passing of the British great grandmother was less than 24 hours old, I met hundreds of mourners who had defied the heavy early morning rain to pay their respects to the woman whom many had described as UK’s ‘guiding light in the darkest of nights’.
Many brought bouquets, which they laid at the black iron gates of the iconic building where a notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached.
Back to my base later in the day, my daughter asked me to help look after my two grandchildren while she quickly kept an appointment somewhere in town. It’s no secret that grandparents love to dote on their grandchildren, so when presented with my first opportunity to babysit, I was happy to oblige. Little did I know what I was up to. Hardly had their mother left the house than the hitherto quiet and mild looking toddlers took off in different directions in the house.
While the 4- year old boy ran up a double bunk bed from where he wanted to jump in a ’super man’ style, his 3-year old sister ran into another bedroom, brought out the drawers from her mother’s dressing table and scattered all the contents on the floor.
Grandpa was left with running from one room to the other trying to maintain order and safety while the toddlers shrieked about the house with delight. Within minutes, I was exhausted.
As I wearily sat down to catch my breath, my 4- year old grandson came over and gave me a big hug. ‘’I love you, Grandpa. You are my best friend’’ he said his young face radiant with a wide smile, as bright as the London afternoon sun that floated through the lacy curtains into the house.
Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price? Cheers, I appreciate it!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and also the rest of the site is very good.
Good way of describing, and nice piece of writing to get data regarding my presentation subject matter, which i am going to convey in institution of higher education.
After looking at a number of the blog articles on your site, I truly like your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Cheers
Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a great article but what can I say I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Good info. Lucky me I discovered your website by accident (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help protect against content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
I like the valuable information you supply on your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I am slightly certain I will be informed plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the following!
Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any methods to help protect against content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should write more on this issue, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Cheers!!
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Hi friends, good piece of writing and good arguments commented here, I am actually enjoying by these.
Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is awesome, great written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this webpage; this weblog includes awesome and really good information in favor of readers.
Hello there, You have done a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also visit this webpage on regular basis to get updated from most recent gossip.
Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My site addresses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!
Nice respond in return of this issue with solid arguments and explaining everything concerning that.
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was a entertainment account it. Glance complex to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
Simply wish to say your article is as amazing. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Real nice design and style and superb content, practically nothing else we want : D.
I’ve recently started a web site, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thanks!
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better!Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!He always kept preaching about this. I’ll send this post to him.Fairly certain he’s going to have a greatread. Thanks for sharing!
Itís difficult to find experienced people for this subject, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks
I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you create this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my own blog and would like to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is called. Appreciate it!
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the rest of the site is extremely good.
This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am really happy to read all at alone place.
Hey are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
The subsequent time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I truly thought youd have one thing attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix in the event you werent too busy looking for attention.
Thanks again for the blog article. Awesome.
Somebody necessarily help to make severely posts I might state.
Usually I do not read article on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great article.
I appreciate you sharing this article.Really thank you! Want more.
Can I simply say what a relief to find a person that truly knows what they’re talking about on the web. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you certainly have the gift.
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this issue. I love all the points you’ve made.
Major thanks for the blog.Thanks Again.
Muchos Gracias for your article post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
I really like and appreciate your blog.Really thank you! Cool.
Im obliged for the article.Much thanks again.
Good way of explaining, and pleasant piece of writing to get information regarding my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in institution of higher education.
Im obliged for the blog post.Thanks Again. Cool.
I like what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll.
I wanted to thank you for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it.I have got you book marked to look at new things you post…
Say, you got a nice article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognise what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my web site =). We could have a link trade contract among us
Thanks again for the blog article.Much thanks again.
Paragraph writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with then you can write if not it is difficult to write.
Hi there, I desire to subscribe for this website to take most recent updates, thus where can i do it please help.
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back very soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, appreciate it. “Whenever you want to marry someone, go have lunch with his ex-wife.” by Francis William Bourdillon.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanksfor the post. I will definitely return.
Thanks for the post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.Please let me know. Cheers
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts andI will be waiting for your further post thank you once again.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Can you tell us more about this? I’d love to find out more details.
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this web site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info!
Hi mates, how is the whole thing, and what you wish for to say concerning this paragraph, in my view its really awesome designed for me.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hello my loved one! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all important infos. I would like to look extra posts like this .
Great, thanks for sharing this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
It is actually a nice and useful piece of information.I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful info with us.Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Hi, i feel that i saw you visited my weblog so i got here to go back the prefer?.I am trying to in finding things to improve my website!I guess its good enough to use some of your concepts!!
Lovely just what I was searching for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
Thank you for your article.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
Hi there, for all time i used to check weblog posts here early in the break of day, as i like to gain knowledge of more and more.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on %meta_keyword%. Regards
Wow, great article post. Much obliged.
I am sure this article has touched all the internet viewers, its really really pleasant article on building up new blog.
There’s definately a lot to learn about this issue. I really like all of the points you made.
It’s very simple to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this article at this website.
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you
I love what you guys are up too. Such clever work and coverage! Keep up the good works guys I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Hi, its nice post concerning media print, we all understand media is a impressive source of data.
Howdy exceptional blog! Does running a blog similar to this take a lot of work? I have no expertise in programming but I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I just had to ask. Thanks a lot!