Conakry - Post Report Question and Answers
Morale among expats:
It varies. It takes a lot of effort to keep your morale up at this post. - Sep 2009
I think it goes in waves. Right now, there are a lot of people who make an effort to enjoy life here, and that makes a difference in such a small community. - May 2009
Guinea is not horrible, but its reputation as a tough post is deserved. Morale is generally fair to poor. Recent civil unrest has made even long timers nervous. The president is ill, the government is unstable, and Guineans are restless. Expats complain of boredom. There are no movie theaters and no active arts scene to speak of. Shopping is limited to the Internet, or braving the various open air markets which some thrill seekers find entertaining. People prone to depression tend to suffer -- the gray days during long rainy season really take their toll on some folks. Rainy season also means more people stay home, which reinforces the complaints of boredom. Taken cumulatively the many small annoyances do add up. The millionth mosquito bite followed by the millionth power outage followed by the millionth fender bender just pushes some people over the edge. - Mar 2008
