Yamoussoukro, Cote D’Ivoire
Wow time is really getting away from me! I cannot believe I
am leaving in a week. As much as I ALWAYS want to spend Christmas with my
family, I do wish that I could have a little more time here, both for work and
play.
A lot has happened in this past month, but I want to back up
a little bit and talk about the trip I took last month through the interior of
Cote d’Ivoire. And although we made three stops in route, the most interesting
stop was Yamoussoukro.
Although Yamoussoukro is technically the administrative and
political capital of the country, the government still operates out the colonial
capital, Abidjan. (Which makes sense because it is the economic capital, the
most populous city, has an international airport, and a working port…) However,
the first President of Cote d’Ivoire, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, decided in the
1980’s that he wanted to move the capital to his birthplace (Yamoussoukro!) Let
the ridiculous construction begin!
I would very much like to see a picture of Yamoussoukro back
before it was the capital, but after President Boigny made his decision, the
entire city got a makeover. Large, multi-lane paved streets completely lit with
streetlights, beautiful bridges over the moat-like river that surrounds the city—fun
fact time—President Boigny, in order to.. I dunno, demonstrate power? Or deal
with a pesky stray cat problem?..decided to add crocodiles to the moat that
surrounds the city. But, the crocodiles bred (as animals tend to do) and became
over-populated, and started attacking people, so they eventually had to build
fence to protect people from the crocodiles. So much for that brilliant idea.
But back to the city—it’s a really nice place, as far as
cities go, but it’s just a little weird, because no one lives there! Ok, I don’t
mean no one, but in comparison to the number of inhabitants the city was
intended for, it feels like a ghost town. Part of the reason for that is the
fact that the government still has not moved, mostly because the major highway
connecting Abidjan to Yamoussoukro is still not finished.
It’s actually a very bizarre experience travelling from
Abidjan, because you are on this narrow, ill-lit ill-paved road for about four
hours, and then the entire thing opens up into a six lane highway with
streetlights every ten feet. It’s like a mirage, or entering Oz or something…
Anyway, another fun fact about Yamoussoukro, is that it is
home to the largest Christian place of worship on Earth: The Basilica of Our
Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, consecrated by Pope John Paul II on 10 September
1990. This whopping $300 million dollar church surpassed the previous record
holder, St. Peter’s Basilica, in square footage, but I do believe that St.
Peter’s can hold more worshipers.
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| Outside view. |
As a non-religious outsider with a very clear bias, I would
think $300 million dollars could be put to much better use, but I will say that
the church really is gorgeous. Beautiful stained glass all around, including a
stunning piece inside the actual dome, and during the day everything is lit up
nicely by that strong African sun.
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| Stained glass in the dome |
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| My colleague and I on the second level. |
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| View of center pulpit from second level. |
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| I love how the light shines on the pews! |
The only goofy thing I will note, is that the President commissioned
a stained glass of himself and the architect worshipping at the feet of Christ
with the other disciplines, to further ensure his legacy, and prove his
devoutness, no doubt. Now, I’m not
saying Christ was white, or anything else, but it’s certainly not common to see
a black disciple in depictions. Unfortunately I was not allowed to take a
picture, but I’m sure your imagination will suffice.
Looking forward to seeing everyone over the holidays! Much
love!
