April Fool's Day in Gitega, Burundi

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Bikes catching a free ride up the hill to Gitega

Time to venture out of the city a little.  We really have no information on different areas, and no maps.  It is very difficult to find out any valid info locally also, so we decided to wing it.  We boarded a new-looking minibus, heading to Gitega.  The problem with new minibuses, is that although they are comfortable, they have more power, and therefore, drive faster and crazier.  You know that you may be in for a fast one, when the driver advises you that this minibus actually HAS seat belts!!
I must say though, the drive was spectacular.  A very windy road up into the mountains, with
lush green vegetation, houses scattered about, and groves of banana trees.  It's too bad the drive was so fast, it would have been nice to enjoy it more.  If we had our own car, we would have stopped many times to admire the views. 

The road climbed up, up, and up for many kilometres. 

Bike careening downhill with a large load

Our minibus often got stuck behind big trucks
labouring up the steep hills, maybe because of the extra loads.  Behind each truck was sometimes 4 or 5 bicycles, with the riders sitting sideways, and holding on to the rear bumper of the truck - getting a free ride up the hill.  Also, there were some people physically hanging off the back of the trucks.  Overall, pretty dangerous really, especially on the smaller down-slopes.  This really saves them an arduous climb to the top - and we've done a similar thing mountain biking around our own mountains in BC.  We did pass many a bike doing the downhill portion of the work journey - loaded with bananas, or piles of wood, these daredevil riders were careening down hill.  Kamikaze maybe, because I can only imagine the state of these bike's brakes, tires and overall mechanics!!

Curator Jacques and some traditional drums at the museum

Safely arriving in Gitega, we contacted Jacques - a friend of Marie-Andree's - and also the caretaker of the Musee National de Gitega.  He opened up the museum for us on Sunday morning, and we perused the interesting displays on the local drumming style(Tambourinaires), and many photos of local tribes and culture.  It was very interesting, and luckily, they actually had some small descriptions in English.  We headed back to town in very local fashion, flagging down a couple of bicycle taxis, and hopping on the rear frame for a ride back to the 'Centre-Ville'.  Of course, our taxi 'drivers' got many strange stares, laughs, and comments on the ride because of their 'cargo'!!

Michelle on a bike taxi through Gitega

Despite being the second biggest town in Burundi, we found that the town itself was a little bit scruffy.  A typical African town, with market stalls abundant, and people selling their wares all along the streets.  We spent 4 hours in Gitega, then were lucky to be at the bus stop just before the heavy rains hit.  All the local bike taxis, moto taxis (motorbikes) and many pedestrians joined us under the roof as the rain hammered down.  We are here in Wet season!!  So, we decided it was time to board the bus (named Yahoo Car), for the ride back to Buja.  We were told that the Yahoo Car was a better bus, but this guy wanted to beat the rains down the curvy road to Buja, so squealed his 30 seater bus around the corners.  It was not a pleasant journey, especially for Michelle (see below for a little more detail).  We managed to make it back to town to see the drummers at Saga Beach, and then

Paying the bike taxis

dinner at a local little brochette place with a Swiss man named Kent from our hotel.  He used to live in Burundi, and knows a few cheap local places.  This got me going more on the delicious local brochettes found all over the country!  It's nice to have some good beef once again!   *Stub










 Things Michelle would like to FORGET!!!

1) The young girl beside her on the Yahoo Car, started crying at one point, and then projectile vomited everywhere, including on Michelle.  It was a pretty rotten scene, with Michelle offering plastic bags for the baby to vomit in, and tissues to clean her up.  All this and I had no idea, as I was sitting a row in front just listening to music and watching the fabulous scenery.  Actually, not too bad considering we've been in Africa over a year, and only been vomited on once!!!  Happy April Fool's Day!!!