FOOD
Typical Meal
Rice and sauce
Couscous (tiny pearl wheat pasta), fonio (tiny grain from grasses), attieke (fermented cassava), fufu pounded cassava with water)
Fish, chicken, beef, lamb, goat, shrimp
Fried Plantains
Greens, tomato, onion, potato, carrot, eggplant
Maggi, bay leaf, hot pepper
Water
The water treatment facility is substandard so it is necessary to buy bottled water or a home filtration system for drinking and food prep
Plumbing - city water or private wells with tanks
No plumbing - yellow water buckets filled at public spigots
Hot water heaters are privately installed
Washing machines are privately installed
Movies
Canal Olympia Movie Theater
Netflix streaming
Rainy and Dry Seasons
Rainy - July through October
Dry - November through June
*Climate change, more unpredictable the last several years
Traffic Laws
"It's a jungle out there"
CARS + PEOPLE + ANIMALS
+ soccer games
+ party tents
+ demonstrations
Car horns
Flashing lights
"Traffic Cops"
Grocery Shopping
Outdoor Market / Makiti - fresh fruit and veggies, meat and poultry, grains and pasta, spices, water, soda, juice, basic hygiene and household cleaning items
Magazin - shelf-stable food, water, soda, juice, hygiene and household cleaning items
Supermarche - specialty items, imported shelf-stable and fresh / frozen foods, deli meats and cheeses, dairy, baked goods, wine and beer, water, soda, juice, brandname hygiene and household cleaning items
Electricity
Hydroelectric power
Generators
Solar
Electricity is in rotation, Kaloum more consistent
Rainy season offers more consistent power
Performance
Franco Guinean Cultural Center
Live Concerts
Maison des Jeunes - "underground" youth center in every commune that hosts local drumming, dancing and other live performances
Language
French is the national language, spoken in schools and in business settings
Largest ethnic groups: Susu, Malinke, Fula
Smaller ethnic groups: Toma, Kissi, Guerze
On Foot
Most roads do not have designated space for people to walk - walking is not generally safe, especially at night
Pedestrians DO NOT have the right-of-way
Be extremely cautious
Food Prep
Freshly prepared rice and sauce with thoroughly cooked meat
Fresh, raw, uncooked fruits and veggies must be sanitized using clean water
Local dairy-based foods should be avoided
Street food is recommended for when your digestive system has had a chance to acclimate
Sanitation
No public sanitation system
Private, licensed workers
Waste dumped in designated sites or in gutters which during the rainy season empties into the ocean
Clubs
Mouv
Boulevard Select
MLS
Riviera Grand
The Loft
Money
$1 = approximately 9,500 guinea francs
Bills:
500 2,000 1,000 5,000 10,000 20,000
Cash economy
Hotels, some restaurants accept cards
Mobile banking
Moto Taxi
Readily available
Appealing because of the ability to weave in and out of traffic
Yet not recommended because it's deadly - people die everyday
Recommended Grocery Shopping
Outdoor Market - Nongo, Koporo, Taouyah, Medina, Marche Niger (downtown)
Supermarche - AZ, Imperial, Prima RS, UExpress, Superbobo (the first in Guinea)
Bakery - Patio, Orvita, La Damier
Miniere fruit stands
Madam Mimi at Lily Supermarche next to Lycee Albert Camus (LAC / French School)
Roads
Poor network and maintenance
Heavy traffic and frequent traffic jams
Milestone Celebrations
Weddings
Birthdays
Naming Ceremonies
Ramadan, Eid (Muslim fete)
Christian holidays
Laundry
Hire someone to come to your home to hand-wash clothes and dry outside, ironing extra
Bring clothes to a professional cleaner for machine wash and dry and dry-cleaning: Pressing, Lavarie
Taxi
Typically yellow with Guinea's flag colors of green, yellow, and red
Readily available, affordable
Possible to pay for 2 spaces up front with driver for more room and greater safety
AISC endorsed taxi list for "de placement" service
Popular Restaurants
Hotels - Sheraton, Millenium, Noom
Prima Center
Avenues
Bacio Nero
Amore Mio
Hero's Cafe
Istanbul
Le Cedre
L'Especial
Communications
Telephone - cell phones
Internet - cell wifi, portable wifi box
Orange telecommunications company, mobile-based service with outlets on every corner, in many magazins, and also select storefront locations
Festivals
Public events featuring food, music, dancing
Getting out of Conakry
Loos Islands
Kindia: waterfalls
Belle Air: ocean beach
Lac de Koba
Dubreka: waterfalls
Dakar: 1 hour flight to capital of Senegal
Several other direct flights to capital cities in neighboring West African countries - Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Mali
Island Getaway
Hop on a local pirogue / fishing boat
Hire a chartered speedboat
Either way - going to the islands is A MUST