TITHE or TIGHT ?
Present Location: Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong. «How much does it cost?» I was pointing to the 555ml of bottled water. He looked at me and pointed to the direction of the water to confirm my choice in the array of bottled liquids. I concurred and I heard him say «3 dollars». «Do you mean 3 Hong Kong dollars?» I asked. He expatiated further; «No, 3 American dollars; it is 70 Hong Kong dollars». I paused for beat and did the calculation which amounted to 360 Naira for a 0.56 liter bottle of water which costs 35 Naira in Dubai International Airport and 200 Naira for 1litre bottled water in all the airports in Nigeria. My Ijebu instinct took over me and I turned back, walking towards the purpose of procuring the water; it was for a 14-year old female Philippines teenager vomiting ceaselessly because of her phobia for flying. She was a stranger to me but I was the only one kind enough to enquire about her condition. She just finished a term in school and came in from Heathrow Airport transferring to Manila International Airport where her parents are waiting for her. I looked in her direction one more time and turned to get the bottled water; all the while thinking of my daughter.Â