What was given was really good advice, if a little lengthy. Anyone not
prepared to do a little reading to protect themselves cannot command a
lot of sympathy.
As some-one who has had the priviledge of travelling in West Africa,
(Ivory Coast) I would make two suggestions.:-
Get hold of the latest edition of "West africa - a travel survival kit"
by "Lonely Planet" This was checked out by my own West African Student
who was VERY IMPRESSED by the quality of information as was I. ( The
State Department Information bears a surprisingly close relationship to
the book ?)
Be a little careful of bottled water where it looks as if the bottle has
been "refilled" more than just a few times.
Expect to get ripped off a few times and budget for it. I was ripped off
by a local "antiquities dealer" in my hotel with whom I then had a
friendly running battle not to get ripped off again. At the end of my
stay he brought "me" a present (un petit cadeaux) as a confirmation that
we had had a good working relationship. Where else in the world could
that happen ! Be determined to enjoy it and you will have an experience
of a lifetime - I know I did.
Peter Harris, University of Reading, UK.
