![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUHGOcSSRCRQEijgx8DSMs5U6eqntpsYwhR4ZeCg8gtVDRPB-07WzMxhjGhxyz7iDjGfEUGPp5O4W0tMjmmfWiKlNFa1oo2A3fpmoPBOhyphenhyphenJu-X3Goj-eINXz5MGTxey6cjeBxrcWb1w_8/s320/20180530_161017.jpg)
Ever since I came to Nigeria, my Grandpa has been asking me if I have a bike and if I ride it here. My Grandpa bikes hundreds of miles each year. So does my dad. When I am in the U.S., I do to. (Well dozens of miles, maybe?) But until recently, I always answered my Grandpa "Well, in Nigeria I mostly just run." However, finally I decided to buy a bike for myself.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdOhmx2JELNnb_iUpXoMaoa6LkVtbPk-D5EnsYcpwTMiPfvf7sYvJ6Xx-GypDtQLQ5m-mfdErCrKJlZEm2SPc-36gW6FNb1N5FR0WMRWiiEcbhAgXBegLFK7w60UR6QorG5m87RY-nksF/s320/20180428_142208.jpg)
It is just a cheap second hand bike, but I have had so much fun fixing it up with the things I need to enjoy riding here: a rack, a kickstand, a helmet, a longer post for the seat, a bell, and ... a rear view mirror. The last two are essential here. The bell warns pedestrians, taxis, buses, motorized rickshaws... anyone in front of me that I am coming. Nigerians are used to the bell and they all know what it means. However, the rear-view mirror was not so simple.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzAepM2Hb0SGyoKGuaW2n0CDpQB0Gd9hyphenhyphen8yevl3FHRD_Ku25xSDkd3tmQ7nPXRhdYNIHQdrltwoAmWFxwKHZRAhTWSVAtem7050VcyHzuXcsbC0JB4aaDn9I6tTtjkASyi8D_2d9pugyQ/s320/20180530_161056.jpg)
Whenever Nigerians see it they are surprised. What is this? Such a small mirror? Can you see anything with it? Do you look at it with only one eye? (Well, I hadn't thought of that before. Yes, I only use my left eye.) What is this strange thing?
It may draw attention, but it works perfectly. Now I can see the traffic coming up behind me, and stay safe on the road!
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