Day 82: Conakry: Things always turn out differently than you think

We get up before seven so we can get to the city to the Nigerian embassy early. Unfortunately nothing will come of this.

A violent explosion at a fuel depot with eight deaths and over 80 injuries makes our planning obsolete. The Kaloum district is completely closed. Our taxi driver says he can get through along the coast, but of course he just wants his ride. Paid curiosity?

As we can read on the BBC, the government has asked everyone not to come to work and closed schools for today. Gas stations are closed across the city, perhaps to prevent panic buying.

So after returning to the hotel, our only option for today is the Liberian embassy, which is located to the north. We go on foot to explore the area (around 40 minutes). Nice and scary things go hand in hand here. The garbage and smelly sewage are disgusting. On the other hand, there are small cafes and shops that look quite good. And when we greet people, they greet us in a very friendly manner.

The condition of the city is reminiscent of Taiwan 40 years ago. But: There are also some posters that call for people not to throw garbage on the street. And some garbage trucks go about their rather hopeless Sisyphean job.

We chat at length with the embassy employee; we are also good customers because we pay the express surcharge. And because it's just right, we can even wait for the visa and don't have to go back in the afternoon. Talk about the itinerary, show photos of the car, exchange a photo via WhatsApp, greet the ambassador every now and then and we're done.

Lunch break. Afterwards we are very effective: fill up drinking water using large containers. Get money again (as a reminder, limited to around 65 euros per transaction). Drop off laundry at a laundry facility. Have the the car washed. Test a supermarket.

And then: Nescafe and cake and pool!!! That's good.

In the evening Ian and Catherine reach Conakry and we have dinner together.