Abidjan: The Paris of West Africa

• HelloBonjour
  [Bon-jour]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [O re-vwar]
• YesOui
  [Wee]
• NoNon
  [Non]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [Seel voo pleh / De ree-en]
• Thank youMerci
  [Mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryPardon
  [Par-dohn]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [Kom-moh sah vah?]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [Byen. Ay voo]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [Par-lay voo ahn-glay]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [Zhe nuh com-prahnd pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhe voo-dreh vwar luh meh-noo, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [Zhe nuh mahnj pah duh vee-and]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [San-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhe voo-dreh pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [O seh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous-en!
  [Al-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [Ah-peh-lay lah po-leece]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [Ah-peh-lay uh meh-deh-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [Zhe swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [Zhe swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [Zhe voo-dreh ah-shet-ay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [Zhe ruh-gard juhst]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [Kom-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [Say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [Poo-vez voo bay-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [Kell uhr ay-tee-uhl]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [Eel ay oon uhr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [Dees uhr ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [Mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [Ah-pray-mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [Swah]
• YesterdayHier
  [Yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [Oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [Deh-man]
• 1Un
  [Ehn]
• 2Deux
  [Duh]
• 3Trois
  [Twa]
• 4Quatre
  [Kahtr]
• 5Cinq
  [Sank]
• 6Six
  [Sees]
• 7Sept
  [Set]
• 8Huit
  [Wheat]
• 9Neuf
  [Nuf]
• 10Dix
  [Dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?
  [Oo ay luh/lah]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [Kell ay lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [Poo-vez voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [Kahnd ay luh proh-shay (bus)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [Ehn bee-yay (poor)]

Abidjan was founded in 1898 as a small fishing village. The French colonists saw its potential due to its strategic location along the Ébrié Lagoon, and it began to develop as a colonial outpost. The village was originally inhabited by the Ébrié people, who lived along the lagoon and were known for their fishing and trade skills.

During the early 20th century, Abidjan grew significantly under French colonial rule. The construction of the Vridi Canal in 1951 was a turning point, as it connected the Ébrié Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean, transforming Abidjan into a major port city. This development led to a construction boom and an influx of people from various parts of Côte d'Ivoire and neighboring countries.

Côte d'Ivoire gained independence from France in 1960, and Abidjan was declared the capital. Under President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the city experienced rapid growth and modernization. Major infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Plateau business district and the University of Abidjan, were undertaken to establish Abidjan as a key economic hub in West Africa.

The death of President Houphouët-Boigny in 1993 marked the beginning of political instability. The city witnessed significant unrest during the Ivorian Civil Wars of 2002-2007 and 2010-2011. Despite these challenges, Abidjan remained resilient, with its economy driven by the port, banking, and telecommunications sectors.

Abidjan is a vibrant cultural hub, reflecting the diverse ethnic groups of Côte d'Ivoire and its history of migration. Neighborhoods like Treichville and Cocody are known for their lively music scenes, including genres such as Coupé-Décalé and Zouglou. The city also hosts numerous cultural festivals, such as the MASA (Market for African Performing Arts), showcasing the rich artistic heritage of the region.

Today, Abidjan is a bustling metropolis known as the 'Paris of West Africa.' The city is characterized by its modern skyline, bustling markets, and vibrant nightlife. Areas like Plateau, with its skyscrapers and business centers, and Yopougon, known for its nightlife, reflect the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of Abidjan.

Abidjan is served by Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ), located around 16 kilometers southeast of the city center. The airport handles flights from various international destinations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. From the airport, you can reach the city center by taxi, which is the most convenient option. There are also shuttle services offered by some hotels. Additionally, there are intercity bus services connecting Abidjan with other major cities in Côte d'Ivoire and neighboring countries.

Abidjan has a well-developed public transportation system that includes buses, taxis, and the water bus service. The Société des Transports Abidjanais (SOTRA) operates city buses and water buses. Taxis are ubiquitous and come in two types: metered 'orange taxis' and shared 'woro-woro' taxis that follow fixed routes. Car rentals are also available for those who prefer to drive themselves, but be aware that traffic can be heavy and roads may be congested.

The official currency in Côte d'Ivoire is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers in Abidjan, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are readily available throughout the city. Currency exchange services are offered at the airport, banks, and exchange bureaus.

While Abidjan is generally safe for tourists, it is important to exercise caution, especially in certain areas. Districts such as Yopougon and Abobo have higher crime rates and should be approached with caution, particularly at night. Petty crimes like pickpocketing and scams can occur in crowded places and tourist hotspots. It is advisable to avoid walking alone after dark and to keep valuables secure. Always use registered taxis and avoid flagging down random vehicles.

In case of emergency, dial 170 for police assistance, 180 for medical emergencies, and 180 for fire services. Major hospitals in Abidjan include CHU de Cocody and CHU de Treichville. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. Pharmacies are available throughout the city for minor health issues. Keep a list of emergency contacts and your embassy's phone number handy.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites and rural areas. Avoid overly revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people or religious sites. Public Transport: Do be respectful and patient when using public transportation. Don't eat or drink on buses. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake and a smile. A polite 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' is appreciated. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and eat with your right hand if dining in traditional settings. Don't refuse food or drink offerings, as it may be considered impolite.

To experience Abidjan like a local, visit the Treichville and Cocody markets for fresh produce, spices, and local crafts. Take a stroll along the Banco National Park for a taste of the local flora and fauna. Enjoy a meal at a 'maquis,' which is a local eatery offering traditional Ivorian cuisine. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about their city. Don’t miss the chance to explore the vibrant nightlife in the Marcory and Plateau districts.