Ok. Maybe i'm a bit immature (or a lot... whatever!), but i can't help smile every time i say the word Djibouti. I have these tremendous flashes of the pomp and circumstance of a KC and the Sunshine band final chorus. However, from the very moment i entered the tiny African country of Djibouti, the laughter died. I did not wish to “shake” anything.
Djibouti as we know it (although this may be the first time you've heard of the place) has a common recent past as many other colonial regions. The French came, screwed stuff up and kind of remain around when it benefits them. From 1897 to 1967, Djibouti (or then French Somaliland) was fully Frenched up, complete with baguettes, berets and cafes. But after a brief stint of being part of Somalia, Djibouti gained independence in 1977. But foreign presence has remained heavy. The French, the US and others use this as a “strategic” location. Plus there's the fact it's the largest port in the area. All element lending their worst (or so it seems) to local custom.
The thing is... Djibouti sucks. Some will disagree and you have that right. But for me, Djibouti easily moves to the bottom 5 countries i have ever been to. First of all, it's expensive. I don't mind paying European prices for European quality in Europe, but why the HELL is Djibouti so expensive??? Just to get there will cost a small fortune. Visas can cost between $40-$80 depending how/where you get it. Flights are ridiculous costing $300 to any nearby hub to fly anywhere else. Then there's the hotels, $35 for a shoebox with a shared toilet, serious?? $200 for a day trip to see a stupid freakin' salt lake, are you insane??? $3 for a juice??? The country is WAY overpriced, and not at all value for money.
On top of that, there is little to see of do in the city. True, the colonial architecture can be nice enough in places, but how long does it take to walk up and down 6 streets? The Grand Marche (main market) is more a transport hub than a market. It is of little interest other than to those who have nothing else to do.
But the thing that really gets me are the people. It's impossible to walk more than 5 metres without someone trying to sell you something or show you to his shop or beg for money or offer a tour or lure you into a questionable establishment or pull whatever scam of the day he choses, “Mister... Mister...” “Hey, buddy” “Are you from Germany?” GET OUT OF MY FACE!!!! It's the sort of place you do not want to leave your hotel room. 
Maybe i'm being a little hard. It seems like a logical conclusion that a place where there's nothing to see, the people are horrible and everything costs an arm and a leg, would not be the sort of place i would enjoy. I don't want to use the word “hate”, but i really, really, really, really, really, really, really don't like Djibouti.
8 comments:
I am from Djibouti and I am deeply offended by your review of Mabouti!
Djibouti ranks 174 in terms of tourism figures. There's probably a reason for that. Maybe it has something to do with the things i mentioned. Sorry if the truth hurts, but that's life.
You get shit things because you went to the shitest places share toilets!! What that hell are you talking about? The hotels that does sharing toilets are the lowest of the low, if you want good stuff you have to pay for it like anywhere in the world nothing is free, or you just want people to bend over for you because you are a foreigner ? Djibouti is a third world country and its normal that people try to rip you off it! Happens everywhere in the world it's not something that is unique in Djibouti, and no one is forcing you go to the salty lake you don't want to go don't go it's simple as that. Did you know that there are plenty of luxuries hotels in Djibouti here I will give you some of them.
1. Djibouti Palace Kempinski (5 star)
2. Sheraton hotel(3 star)
3. Menelik Hotel (3 star)
4. Residence de l'Europe (3 star)
5. Residence Hotel Bellevue (3 star)
oh yeah am also from djibouti
The point is, the cheapest places in town are $35. This includes a shared toilet. I can get a similar room in Ethiopia for $5. Or i can get a private bathroom with WiFi and breakfast in Hergeisa for $10. $35 is European prices for nowhere near European standard. Sure i could pay a couple hundred dollars. But it's not about the top end.
I live in Iraq, no one tries to rip me off here. I lived in China and Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan and Mexico and Cambodia. These places have nothing like the hassle i experienced in Djibouti. After 20 years on the road and 100+ countries later, Djibouti might even top Egypt for the most hassle.
I stand by my opinion, Djibouti is my least favourite country i have ever been to. Period!!!
I have been nearly all my life in Djibouti I am aware about the share toilet and like I said in my previous message they are rundown places, if you did a bit of browsing you could of found for 40$ your own en-suite room with wireless connection and satellite TV, telephone….etc. but again everyone is entitled to their own opinion so if YOU don't like Djibouti that absolutely fine with me.
I've been to Djibouti on transit to get to Somaliland. You are right, it is a craphole. Nasty, rude people, hideosly expensive and ridiculously hot. I always wondered why the Djiboutians flock to Somaliland in Summer.
I LOVE travel. And 'real', gritty traveling, none of that touristy or 'flashpacking' stuff. I believe there's beauty and satisfaction to be found in everyplace one visits.
I spent four months working in Djibouti about two years ago.
Those 4 months almost-permanently marred my idealistic views.
Djibouti is not a bad place! Our leading national export is natural gas!
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