I Live in a Big West African City

Abidjan has about 5 million people and is one of the top 10 largest cities in Africa.  Abidjan used to be considered the Pearl or Paris of West Africa. Now while this country is still recovering from recent war buildings are decaying, statutes/memorials lie in ruins from being destroyed in the war and the people struggle to survive in today’s economy. The people are searching for hope and stability. 

While I have big buildings and four lane highways around me it is unlike any city I have every lived in. Things I took for granted in America are hard to find here. I was excited when I found a case of Dr. Pepper. This one store sometimes gets things in from Florida or Vancouver so it’s a treat when you find something from home.

Someone wanted to know what type of fast food I have here in Abidjan. Well the closest thing to fast food is buying roasted field corn, fried plantains or fried whole fish (fufu) from street venders or ordering a Falafel or Shawarma from the Lebanese man down the street.  I do have some family owned restaurants in my area where I can get fried chicken, hamburgers, pizza and Vietnamese food if I want it. Sadly no Mexican…well there was one place but it is not really Mexican and WAY overpriced.

I am learning to adjust to not having everything I want at my fingertips right away. I now wash my zip lock bags and use them over and over again. When I finish anything that came in a container (example: Mayonnaise) the container is washed and put away for me to reuse. I have to make my own pickles, chocolate syrup, salad dressing, pretzels and granola, basically almost everything is made from scratch.  I cut my facial wipes into halves to make them last longer. I keep clean water in jugs in the bathroom and kitchen. Getting new clothes is a process, you have to find and pick out fabric, pick an outfit style you like from a bunch of pictures and then find someone who can make it. 

While things might take longer to do here in Abidjan it has it benefits. Along the way you establish relationships with neighbors and people throughout the city. I am looking forward to learning about the city and its culture on an even deeper level next week as I spend a work week with an Ivorian family.