Highlights ..

They include meeting Kristina aka Bingy. She is like so many of my sisters- stylish, fun, sassy, funky, fearless, hot inside out, runs and own a restaurant. She is Ghanaian, been here in Abidjan a year and even thinks in French now.
She had a baby at 14 and asked if she was not freaking out she said nope, she discovered at five months, went to have an abortion but it was too late and there was nothing she could do; let alone freak out coz the baby was on the way. Her folks took it in their stride too, no shouting, fainting, beating, name calling how am going to face my peers now.

Incredible. Very unlike what would be a typical South African parent's response of snot, trane, drama and wondering how to deal with the shame.



I am also meeting a lot of Nigerian guys. Yup, there is naija everywhere. They are something else. Very in your face about what they want, including you and they will try gettingwhat they want, including, by all means neccesary. So anyway, Bingy and I are on the phone when some takes it to chat to me. Says hi, come over to the restaurant I would like to meet you. His name is Kevin and says everyone must be happy to meet him, so it is whatever I want on him, plus the three of us heading back to his studio for some lala, reggae and whisky. When we get there he says, "I hope you people are comfortable"
I love how peopel around here express themselves. Like, Bingy lost her fave ankel bracelet. "And it is paining me," she said, adding, "But the fact is what? The fact is it is lost. I must move on."

They Nigerians and Ghanaians express themselves...the pidgin, pictures and frankness.

I dig it

Love

L