All About Côte
d'Ivoire
NAVIGATION
During our time in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) we will be based in the capital city, Yamoussoukro. Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, approximately 3 hours drive away from the commercial centre (and main entrance point) of Abidjan. French is the main language of the country, although many local languages and dialects are spoken in the various tribes in the country.
We
live in a small area outside Yamoussoukro called Morofé (pronounced more-a-fay).
This area is quite built up with houses and African courtyards. It is
close to the Presidential Palace and the Basilique. Yamoussoukro was made
the capital in 1983 by the first president of the country, Félix
Houphouet-Boigny. Houphouet-Boigny also built the Basilique in the 1980s
and gave it as a gift to the Roman Catholic Church. It is prominent in the
skyline of Yamoussoukro and is an impressive building.
Morofé doesn't have any shops. All shopping has be done in Yamoussoukro itself. There is one small 'boutique' that supplies small items such as eggs, rice, powdered milk, etc. Our house is approximately a five minute walk from the school and the main mission compound. Our neighbours are African and trying to communicate with them has been interesting! We have tried having a dog, to act as a guard dog, but she kept us awake more than anything else. So with three sleepless nights, we gave her back to her owners.
