A look at Abidjan, Ivory Coast - from a runner's perspective

Posted: 15/02/2016

15 February 2016 - RPS Partnership

RPS knows Abidjan well and likes working in the vibrant city which is the capital of the Ivory Coast. Contact us if you are planning to live or work there. We can run training and provide support and advice for organisations who are already there or intending to start work there. Let us help you to avoid the pitfalls. Contact us on [email protected]

Our friend Mark Reading writes a blog of running around Africa. We think you will enjoy this look at the streets of Abidjan from a runner's perspective early in the morning. A unique look and an interesting view. Here he writes...

‘Early Morning Run in… Abidjan'

"Something, or something awful or something wonderful was certain to happen on every day in this part of Africa.” Hemingway with the quote. Road trip time. Let’s hope for the 'something wonderful' bit. We're in Côte d'Ivoire folks...

Word around the camp fire is Abidjan’s a special destination, relative to most of West Africa. Arrived last evening on Air Côte d’Ivoire. Small African airlines can sometimes give one the heebie jeebies … no complaints though; plane landed the right way up with both wings intact… avec des bagages. Great flight.

Abidjan is huge, a proper city. Apparently, at 3.8 million souls, the third largest French speaking city in the world. For pub quiz enthusiasts, Abidjan is the economic capital; for 5 points, the actual capital?

Côte d'Ivoire was once known as the ‘teeth coast’ due to trade in Ivory. Later as the Ivory Coast in English, and since 1985 - Côte d'Ivoire. Population 22 million.

Before we run, let's pop back to ‘Dodge’ and a recent car accident. A matter of time I guess. I drive in Africa whenever possible. What happened? Well… 1900 hrs. Dark 'O' clock. Rush hour traffic. I'm actually near the spot where I narrowly missed damaging a burly policeman's stick with my head (previous post). This time I sideswipe a battered old yellow taxi.

Pull off the road. Taxi comes in behind. Samuel jumps out, he seems reasonable. About 9 others, 2 holding babies, also alight from said taxi, which doesn't look a complete stranger to minor accidents. They start remonstrating with.... er... me. If we're taking sides here I'm in a minority of one.

Crowd swelling. This is entertainment. I'm quickly surrounded by more people than a fellow handing out free $20 dollar bills. This could be tougher than a night out in Wigan.

Samuel says, not unreasonably, 'look what you've done to my taxi.’ I wanted to say something funny to lighten the mood. I didn't. 'My fault', I said. 'Let me take a photo of the damage', I said. 'Let me get this repaired', I said. 'Let's exchange numbers', I said. 'Pay d man now', the crowd said.

Samuel studies me. I'm bending down on one knee, using my phone as a torch, assessing the damage like I know what I'm doing. I don't. The only thing that could make this situation funnier? The police rocking up...

On cue, enter stage right. 'Your vehicle sah.' Great...

The situation could have developed in a number of ways. Thankfully a happy ending, as always. The well-rounded police lady was fine. Samuel was good. The crowd enjoyed the entertainment, me squirming mostly. Samuel would ring next morning and we'd negotiate something. Note to self, keep well away from Congo Cross… bad karma…

Abidjan...

Reveille 0545 hrs. Early 'O' clock. No messing about. No snooze cycles. I used to have the Hokey Cokey as my wake-up call, it was taking me 30 minutes to get out of bed… no longer...

If I could pick the perfect time to run in Africa? 0600 hrs. Day of the week? Sunday. Circumstances? First time run in a brand new city. All of those today. 2 quick glasses of water. Skim BBC for latest Africa news. What does the Yahoo weather app say? First light 0632 hrs. 24C, humidity 100%. Perfect. View Google maps. Have a rough idea where we’re heading...

Down the fire escape from the 4th floor. Security surprised to see me, he opens the orange grilled gates. A seriously tough looking dog is barking, straining against his metal chain from the nearby railings. They say most Africans are scared of big bad dogs. Me too. Rover looks like he'd bite my leg off and then the other one, just for fun.

Time for the 2 most positive words in the English language, as I'm always reminding my 2 young acorns; those words... 'let's go...' or this morning... 'allons-y...'

Head east across to Ave Marchand. Still gloomy. Find the road we want. Turn north on Boulevard de la Republique. Hotel Tiana on my left. A large group of armed para military nearby changing shifts. In fact, security is omnipresent. They wear their distinctive red berets French style. Meaning plopped on their heads with the ribbons showing at the back.

Over to the right is Rue Jesse Owens. I lift the pace and attempt to 'sprint'. Now a box circuit of right turns to get back on the same Boulevard. No more 'sprints'. Past the gendarmes again…

Another level of security is on each junction and outside the main buildings. I quickly become accustomed to the ubiquitous yellow shirts. We're in Plateau District. A high profile area. Advisories have been issued following the recent tragic hotel attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso. Both countries border Côte d'Ivoire.

However, can’t imagine any self respecting terrorist bothering with my hotel. Budget and basic all the way. Moreover, we have Rover. The French government is also taking this seriously, increasing their own threat level for Côte d'Ivoire & Senegal. Now officially raised from Run to Hide, leaving only 2 levels - Surrender, and Collaborate... only kidding mes amis Francais...

Boulevard de la Republique, ahead is the national stadium. Named after the first President following independence, Felix Houphouet-Boigny. He ruled for 33 years. His successor was later overthrown in a coup, which started a period of instability. Armed rebellion followed in 2002, and again following elections in 2010. Since 2011 things have stabilised, the country is back firmly on the upward curve. I understand enough French to comprehend the early Sunday editions; the trial of Mr. Gbagbo, former President, in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity.

Let's leave politics. ‘Les Elephants’, as the national football team is known, is a truly powerful side and current African champions. Far more useful to know the country's best footballer. When language skills let's me down, I say Yaya Toure. As I line up a snap security jogs over speaking rapid French and waving arms. No problem, I smile... Yaya Toure. I also have Didier Drogba on the bench, if required. Here’s the stadium…

The wide tree lined boulevard streets are largely deserted. Any other day would be manic. Quiet, save for a few folk and a sprinkling of orange taxis. I keep zig zagging mostly north. I want to find St. Paul's Cathedral. Here it is, looks splendid and somewhat unusual. Certainly unique.

Time to drop off the higher ground to Boulevard de Gaulle. The sun is rising majestically across the other side of the shimmering lagoon. I enjoy one of those feel good moments. I feel lucky to be here, to see this sun rise, to be alive, and fortunate to be fit and healthy. A count your blessings moment. Washes over me from nowhere. Not sure why. To Bev in Canada, and Terri in UK – keep fighting the good fight and continue coming on these runs with me…

Moving south east now. 28 mins, thoughts turn to heading back. I duck under a flyover; I know Divas... a flyover... I look up at the skyline. I've heard this place was stunning in the 60s, 70s & 80s. The Manhattan of W. Africa. OK, relative, but isn't everything. Realistically these days, more of a poor mans Nairobi, but it has something. Might appear shabby to some, but by West African standards? I like it.

A last look around at the sunrise and begin a steady ascent of the hill. I drift left past the Novotel picking out a couple of potential restaurants. Everything is so peaceful and quiet. I have crossed a few fellow joggers, not too many. Two of whom held their hands in front of them and make an exaggerated clap using their arms. Most be a local thing, unless sharks in the lagoon…

I can see the hotel, time for a strong finish? 50 mins this morning. Really enjoyed taking you round. Time for that breakfast of champions, eggs and plenty of coffee. Heck, good fizz… a pain au chocolat as well. Let’s go crazy…

This road trip moves to Dakar now. As I'm taking a last photo of the hotel, I'm approached by plain clothes security. ‘Monsieur, photos interdites.’ You know how this finishes, ‘Yaya Toure mon ami...’

Photos courtesy of Mark and RPS Partnership

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