Homesick in Abidjan

There is a nursery rhyme that tells of home-sickness. ‘Home again, home again, where I shall see my home again…’ it partly goes. Abidjan got me thinking of this song.
It rubbed off my mind whenever I could not make a straight French statement or at a dinner table when the culinary adventures were not as inviting as those back home. It was one of those sojourns where I wished I could be back home sooner than the journey lasted.
From the hotel receptionist, cab driver, vendor, associates, French seems inescapable, and you do not speak the language like yours truly, sign language is the option. Only challenge is that it is not as effective as verbal communication is.

Hospitality
Well, the hospitality of the people of Ivory Coast, will momentarily get you to forget about the barrier language presents. They go an extra mile to make sure that your stay is comfortable.
This was particularly at the African Development Bank (AfDB) 50th anniversary in the capital Abidjan where youthful gentlemen and ladies handled guests from all over the world. Most of these were multi-linguists, and could speak some fair English.
The celebrations attracted multitudes of people. There were a number of activities to follow-up on at the continental event that it was hard to find time to sample day or night life of the West African nation. But from simply passing through, Abidjan comes off like any other African nation emerging from war and growing its economy.

Surroundings
There are cart pushers, beggars stretching their hands out for hand-outs, big billboards announcing big concerts and fashion shows, but uniquely hinterlands that characterise part of the city’s geography and ultimately adding to its beauty though they are not development.
One of such water bodies is the artificial Lake Kossou, a large lake, partly drawing its water from River Bandama. It provides a good scenery given the city’s backdrop of skyscrapers.
At nightfall, young people and a few old fellows can be seen lined up at entrances of nightclubs or out-door areas and bars waiting to enjoy their time out. Congolese music is part of the music selection, competing favourably with South African and Nigerian sounds.

At the end of the day
There was much to smile and actually laugh too. But, home was where the heart was, with thoughts of enviable food, an equally bustling night life and people I can chat with in a few mother tongues, and unite with using English. Dusty as it is and dramatic as its affairs are, Kampala is worth missing, and I did miss it.

About Abidjan
Abidjan is the largest city and the chief port of the country of Ivory Coast located in the continent of Africa. It is the economic engine is strapped between lagoons and waterways, overlooking the crested waves of the Atlantic. At first glimpse, you wonder if these shiny scrapers can really be West Africa.
Although Abidjan took a beating during the 2011 crisis, the engine rattled on, and new bars, bistros and hotels are opening regularly; this is, after all, one of Africa’s sleekest party cities.