Assini, Cote d'Ivoire 2002

In West Africa along the desolate coastline of eastern Cote d'Ivoire lies a remote and peaceful beach of Assini. It was here, reachable only by boat, that we joined some friends for a quiet escape from Abdijan. Warm temperatures combined with fresh sea air made this spot perhaps the most unguarded I have ever felt on the continent of Africa. The calm before the storm, perhaps, as following this escape we went up country into the "bush" to Bobi, a small diamond mining village where my wife lived during the Peace Corps. It was during this trip in September 2002 that the Coup occured which shut down then entire country, closing all borders, and killing key political figures. After hunkering down, we escaped on the first day that the airport re-opened. Peace was an illusion, and safety a dream. We were the lucky few who could leave.