World Files Conference

FROM ISSUE # 156 (December 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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It was quite hot outside. I stayed in a small hotel with no AC. The room's window was facing the road but it was impossible to open it as dust, smoke and flies would enter quickly. Djibouti city is not that big. There's an open area in front of the hotel where the hawkers would sell everything - from fruits to vegetables, clothes and even shoes. Beggars would wander around, interested in foreign faces.

When people first get here, they'd think that the world flies conference is going on. Flies are everywhere! There are flies in the food, on the streets and even in the faces of the people. Undoubtedly, the flies were annoying for the new visitors but they had no choice but to share their food with them. Fruit sellers can't be lazy otherwise their oranges would turn black much like a bee-hive. People create their own style of martial arts to keep the flies away.

As I walked down the road, I met a man who spoke English quite well. He asked me if I needed any help. I was looking for a ferry ticket office so I asked him for directions but he volunteered to take me there. He took me in front of a shop and told me that it was the ferry office and that it was closed for lunch. We sat and waited as we chatted, "It's very hot. Let's have some cold drinks," he said. It was really hot so I gave him 200 Franc for the drinks which he went to buy. Few minutes later, the ferry ticket counter opened, but to my dismay it was a cold drink shop! I knew I had been cheated so I asked another person for a ferry ticket to Yemen. He told me that I could get it at the port.

The port was not far from the city. A group of children surrounded me as I neared the port. I could see their curiosity through their fly-covered faces. A small girl approached me with a crying face. I understood she was hungry and gave her 100 Franc. She ran away happily and returned quickly with a small packet of biscuits. She ate them through her fly-covered mouth and even offered me some. I got one and swallowed it quickly as flies were flying around my mouth. She was smiling. Maybe some flies already went inside her stomach.
 
Pushcycle
Djibouti city

Journey started: 29 November 1998
Aim: To cycle around the world to spread the message of peace and hope within 11 years
Countries travelled till date: 136
Next leg: Oman