. OnHiatus.com > Journal 1 > Day Index > Journal Entry: November 20, 1998

Friday, November 20, 1998
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire's Flag

Map
Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire:
Latitude: 5° 18' 17" North
Longitude: 4° 0' 33" West
Altitude: 186 feet
From Seattle: 7984 miles
Lodging: Hotel - Treichotel

Map
Today's Travel:
Country: Côte d'Ivoire
Region: Region des Lagunes
Weather: Overcast / Rain

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Trip Stats to Date:
Day: 589
Linear Dist: 129764
Countries Visited: 41
Regions Visited: 168
More stats...
Hotels: 183
Friends / Family: 155
Camping: 45
Hostels: 144
Transit: 55
Other Lodging: 6
Beers: 2024
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Journal Entry:
Went to the Ghanaian embassy, spent 20 minutes in line to ask for forms, a half hour filling out the forms in quadruple, 20 minutes in line to be sent back because I didn't have references, 10 more minutes to look up the names and addresses of random hotels and add them to each copy, 20 minutes in line, rejected again because my four photos aren't the same, 10 minutes paying another embassy employee to make color copies of one of the photos, and a final 20 minutes in line. While in the embassy Seth, Dean and Stu (the Australians), and Joy (the other American) show up to get their visas as well (I expected to see them again, but not quite this soon).

After we finally finish up in the embassy we meet up with Andrea and spend and hour plus looking for an internet cafe - no luck. It's now about one, and nothing is open between one and two so we all go for lunch (best hamburger I've had outside the US and milkshakes too!) After lunch we split up again and I went and found a travel agent to start figuring out my flight(s) south. The travel agents cheapest price to South Africa was with Cameroon Airlines and was through Cameroon. Since I was hoping to fly via a week or three in Cameroon the agent suggested I go talk directly with C.A. The travel agent also sent us (Andrea and I) to a computer place for email, they sent us to an internet provider, who in turn directed us to a Cybercafe in the French Cultural Center, right next to where we had lunch and the travel agent. Meanwhile I went to talk with Cameroon Airlines and it will work. By flying through Cameroon I save more than US $200 and I can spend as much time as I like there! I didn't buy the ticket as I've heard that Accra (Ghana) might be cheaper, but at least I know it can be done and have a backup plan.

I met Andrea at the French cultural center's cyber cafe and then Seth and Joy walked in (I'm running in to them everywhere now). I couldn't telnet to my account from the cafe so I was unable to update my journal or check my email - I might have to wait until Accra for my next chance. Andrea and I walked with Seth and Joy to their hotel where we had diner with them, Dean and Stu and then played cards for a few hours. The others offered us a ride down to Grand Bassan tomorrow so that simplifies our travel tomorrow!

We got back to our hotel (in Treichville) around eleven and spent a half hour or so walking around the neighborhood. The feeling was very raw and urban, much different from the rest of West Africa. Lots of people sitting around just hanging out, lots of street food, a little menacing - but low key. It's kind of what I imagine neighborhoods of New York or Chicago felt like in the late 60's or early 70's.


Related Sites:
CNN: Current Weather in Abidjan
US State Department ConsularInformation Sheets: Côte d'Ivoire
CIA World Fact Book: Côte d'Ivoire

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