19 SEPTEMBER 2010 - A Power Trip (aka transit) through Burundi
Burundi had been scrapped from our agenda on the basis that visas were no longer issued at the border, and it was all just too much trouble. Upon learning of a 72 hour transit visa, it made a triumphant return to the list of countries visited by Team S&M. We were in the country the next morning, and out the morning after.
Burundi provides a beautiful, and mountainous, corridor between south west Tanzania and Rwanda. Time pressure has been an all too common stress; an entirely unexpected one when you allot yourself 7 months in Africa. And so Burundi was back on the menu, but only for an ultra maxtreme transit trip.
On crossing, our miniscule understanding of ‘le French language’ (that’s ‘the French language’) proved of significant benefit when a police officer stopped us for “having speed” (speeding). “Sorry? I don’t understand.” He tried again. We were dumb again. The ignorant tourists were waved through with contempt.
A single night spent in the capital, Bujumbura, led us to Chez Andre - the Lonely Planet’s pick for eateries with a happening atmosphere. Lending weight to the theory that Lonely Planet needs to seriously revamp their Africa guides, we were the only patrons. Surprising given the strong UN presence in Bujumbura with UNHCR compounds stretching for miles.
Having seen nothing of the country, contributed nothing, and taken a handful of photos, we pushed on to the Rwandan border. Time permitting, Burundi would make for a pleasant visit with its natural beauty. Time, however, did not permit.
MR
Tamah - we're sorry we didn't get to contact you. It was a last minute decision, sans internet, to transit through.
Burundi had been scrapped from our agenda on the basis that visas were no longer issued at the border, and it was all just too much trouble. Upon learning of a 72 hour transit visa, it made a triumphant return to the list of countries visited by Team S&M. We were in the country the next morning, and out the morning after.
Burundi provides a beautiful, and mountainous, corridor between south west Tanzania and Rwanda. Time pressure has been an all too common stress; an entirely unexpected one when you allot yourself 7 months in Africa. And so Burundi was back on the menu, but only for an ultra maxtreme transit trip.
On crossing, our miniscule understanding of ‘le French language’ (that’s ‘the French language’) proved of significant benefit when a police officer stopped us for “having speed” (speeding). “Sorry? I don’t understand.” He tried again. We were dumb again. The ignorant tourists were waved through with contempt.
A single night spent in the capital, Bujumbura, led us to Chez Andre - the Lonely Planet’s pick for eateries with a happening atmosphere. Lending weight to the theory that Lonely Planet needs to seriously revamp their Africa guides, we were the only patrons. Surprising given the strong UN presence in Bujumbura with UNHCR compounds stretching for miles.
Having seen nothing of the country, contributed nothing, and taken a handful of photos, we pushed on to the Rwandan border. Time permitting, Burundi would make for a pleasant visit with its natural beauty. Time, however, did not permit.
MR
Tamah - we're sorry we didn't get to contact you. It was a last minute decision, sans internet, to transit through.
BURUNDI
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