If I could select one of the thirty odd occasions when I have ‘lost’ my luggage, or rather when it has been lost on my behalf by a hapless airline, I would select a business trip to the West African city of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, the administrative centre of the country though not the capital.
There was no direct flight, so I decided on a quick transit in Paris, with an admittedly tight turnaround time, taking an Air Afrique flight to Abidjan via Bamuko in Mali where I had an opportunity to speak with the captain while on the ground in Bamuko airport. He mentioned that he would be participating in my meeting the next day and would be happy for me to share the crew bus to my hotel on arrival in Abidjan, an offer I gratefully accepted. So far so good, but on arrival there was no sign of my suitcase which meant inevitable delays reporting the lost bag before I could leave the airport. At this point, my local contact had arrived to collect me to take me to the hotel and was in an argument with the crew bus driver about who was going to take me to the hotel. By this time, the crew had been stewing in the stifling heat for 40 minutes waiting for me which it turned out had been unnecessary as my colleague had won the argument and assumed the responsibility for my transfer.
This now left me, suitcase-less, with the problem of what to wear for the business meeting the next day, as I try to travel in casual gear where possible, but luck was on my side as my colleague was also 6.3 inches tall, and happy to lend me a jacket and shirts for the duration.
As it was my first visit to this once French colony, I was anticipating a strong French influence and I was not to be disappointed, particularly in the food department, more of which later. Historically, the country traded in gold, pepper and, as might be expected, ivory but was not affected to the same extent as other countries in the region by slavery in the 16th century, perhaps because there were less sheltered harbours, which would have facilitated such trade.
Today, however, the major export is cocoa, the main component of chocolate, a product that does not look like going out of fashion any time soon. The only risks to the business must be the risk of political upheaval and unacceptable business practices in this notoriously unstable country.
My stay of three luggage-less days did allow for a visit to a local restaurant specialising in la cuisine Française, and I have to say that, quite unexpectedly, I had one of the finest French meal I have ever enjoyed. The only downside as we left the premises was the sight of disabled beggars with lost limbs and other heart-wrenching injuries. Some say that in a few cases, these injuries have been inflicted in order to increase their chances of receiving improved charity.
But what of the lost luggage, I hear you cry? Well, it did turn up at the airport on the day of my departure as I checked in to leave, so I was able to carry it home unpacked. My wife was delighted to have no additional items for the weekly laundry load.