my latest drama.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

My latest Drama.

 I am really glad that Ican actually write down this story right now. I thought I would still be in the police cell till now.

 On this fateful day “Onsdag” 26th of October 2011,I woke up early in the morning and did my daily devotion (pray and read the Bible). After reading the bible, I prayed a short prayer but in it asked God to lead and direct me through out the day. I looked at my diary and realized that at 11:00am, I had to meet Veronica (a former Hald student that went toNepalin her year) so  right away, I dashed to the kitchen to make some “frokost” (breakfast) for myself – you can guess it was bread, butter and brown cheese of course.

 Before I could finish eating my bread, Evans – my team mate was ready. Then he said that we had only 7 mins to catch the “Bybanen” – (a light train that I will prefer to call  “bb” in this story) then he said that he was going ahead so he could buy some chocolate from Rimi to carry as a small gift to Veronica and that we should meet at the Noneseter station. On reaching Noneseter, Evans was not yet there but I realized I had forgotten my phone in the house yet I have to call veronica so I ran back to pick it. Arriving at  Noneseter again, Evans was now there waiting and disappointed because the bb had just left and he could not go and leave me.

 There were like 6 mins left for the next bb to come, so as we waited, I decided to withdraw some money since the ATM was nearby. When I came back to join Evans where he was standing, another African man (wearing a cap) came the and purchased a ticket and then stood next to us. When the bb arrived, we all entered. Then I sat next to Evans and we don’t know where the other fellow African guy sat.

The arrest.

We were now quite late to catch up with the appointment so evans said to me, “In about 11 mins, we shall be there” and before he could complete his sentence, the bb stopped and two Norwegian men dressed casually came to us showed their “politi” (police) ID and said that we were under arrest. Reason? We were not allowed to ask questions. We were pulled out of the bb and handcuffed. Two men searched Evans while two others searched me. They took away my keys, wallet, bus, library and ATM cards. Immediately, I car came and I was put inside and driven away while Evans remained at the scene (the next time I saw Evans was when we were getting out of the police cell).

 On our way, one of the policemen said, “This is Europe my friend”- I don’t know why he said that. On reaching the police station, I was asked where I live, with whom I live, where I come from, where Evans comes from, why I am in Bergen and if I have any drugs in my house and they threatened to go and open the apartment since they had the key. I was asked if I knew some Norwegian law and I said no. “We can keep u here a maximum of 72 hours as our investigation continues”, he said.

One of the uniformed policemen took me to the 1^st cell, it had no pictures painted on the wall. Then he took me the one empty small room opposite the 1st one and it had pictures of animals like rhino, zebras, antelopes and buffalo. Then he said, “You see those animals, this is Africa and we will keep you here”. I wept in my heart and thought of why he said this coz it sounded like racism to me. Then he told me to take off my shoes, belt and remove ALL my clothes, and he searched them again. I was given back only my trouser and t-shirt. The rest were taken. The floor and the mattress were cold and I was given a thin threaded blanket. It could not keep any warmth at all. The policeman locked the door and walked away.

 One hour later, another policeman came in and told me that I was arrested because the African guy (with a cap) that stood next to us at the bb station was a drug dealer so they think we are working with him and that they were still investigating so they would keep me in the cell for some time. I asked him why i had to be treated the way i was treated but he just said that they if their investigation shows that we are innocent, then we will be released.

 Meanwhile, Veronica called on my phone so the policemen found the missed call and called her back. They asked her a lot of questions about me and Evans including what we were going to do at her home. What saved us is that the story that veronica told them matched with what me and Evans said and it had nothing to do with drugs so we were released 2 and half hrs after our arrest. This was the next time I saw Evans. Some of the policemen apologized for inconveniencing us, sarcastically wished us a nice stay in Bergen and promised that this would not be repeated.

On the other hand, I think that it has helped me and the other African people who have heard this story to be more aware and vigilant for their own safety. I also remind myself continually that this is part of the experience and to take it positively and move on. This is just the beginning of my stay in Bergenso being low will not make me any helpful. It was good when I prayed and shared with my friends and teachers and more secure now and ready to face the challenge to the Glory of God. I delayed to post this story because i was still in shock but i am now fine thanks to everyone for the support and prayers i love you all. God bless.