37. A narrow glimpse of Cote d’Ivoire – like each destination visited!
26th April 2023
Day 108 of Cruise, Abidjan Port, Africa’s second most important – after Durban. Sailing from Atlantic Ocean through Vridi Canal to harbour on lagoon. Cote d’Ivoire is world’s largest cocoa producer, major also in cashews and coffee. Just one day, visit limited by uninterrupted torrential rain, restricted further the narrow glimpse we enjoy of each destination.
One of West Africa’s fastest growing, more prosperous Nations – prosperity we didn’t see!
Once again, the “blue brigade” created a path for our bus to travel through traffic jams and driving rain. Chinese involvement in Africa ubiquitous, overwhelming – including the completed motorway we drove between Abidjan and seaside Grand-Bassam!
Walking into fabulous craft market enroute, the electricity flicked off. Upmarket wooden items, jewellery, fabrics, clothing, baskets, metal crafts.
Refreshments overlooking a beautiful ocean. Museum of Civilisation, covering Cote d’Ivoire’s civilisations history and intangible heritage, difficult to grasp – as all in French. Then to huge St Paul Cathedral, second largest in Africa – modern with beautiful stained-glass windows, before returning too soon to the ship.
At sea an uncomfortable discussion with “First World” fellow guests, many shocked at their Africa experience. Hard to hear their often crude, disrespectful perspectives, superimposed worldviews and values, sometimes insightful:
“Population growth exponential. High unemployment rates can’t be matched by job creation”. “No respect for colonisers who built the infrastructure”. “All buildings are by third parties and left to decay”. “Necessity the mother of invention – but no amount of necessity seems to create invention and getting things done?”. And most awful: “Africa a lost cause”. “No hope”!
I have a knee jerk response to these views. But, as an African, with children and grandchildren’s roots and future in Africa: Which messages should we discard? Which internalise and incorporate into the way we move forward? Example: China’s role? Not easy!
A few days at sea, glorious sunsets, contemplating exciting destinations ahead in last quarter of our voyage. Also, how difficult it is to get a grip on what is really going on in these Countries and what are compelling responses to First World perspectives?
