Bicycles

Last weekend, we went to Kirundo, a small town in the north of Burundi, the poorest region. But that is relative. Burundi is poor. Full stop. But it is when you're traveling that you notice it more. 

Some data from Worldbank, CIA factbook etc: 

The national income per capita (GNI) is less than $250 (that means that on average, a person earns less than $250 per year!!), there are 308 people living per square meter and a it has a population growth of 1,9%. Every woman gets an average of 4.1 children (more in the rural areas) and according to the CIA Factbook, Burundi ranks 190 out of 192 countries by GDP per capita. There is not a spot of land that is unused for agriculture. People are cultivating land that is almost as steep as a wall. 

One of the things that really struck me on our trip, in comparison to Cameroon, is the use of bicycles. In Cameroon, motor bikes are the common way of transporting goods. Here, it's bicycles. 

Bicycles in any state, are usually re-enforced in the front and at the back, to carry a load as heavy and big as possible.

Everything gets transported by bike. Often for many many kilometers. On top of that, in Burundi, it's all uphill or downhill. 

Downhill is easy. And for uphill, they often take a ride:

Below some pictures (taken out of a driving car and through the front windscreen) of what people transport on their bicycles:

Bananas...

fire wood...

cauliflower...

more vegetables...

roof tiles...

food for their livestock...

building/fencing materials...

corrugated iron...

more bananas...

charcoal...

... and many more. 

2013 ends with a lot of good-byes. And lots of new expectations. We have moved to Burundi which we will call home soon. We're still in transition but are enjoying the new country, new friends, new ways of living already. Soon we should be in our own place and get back in our routine.

Thorsten has taken on a new job with the GIZ in Bujumbura for 5 years. There should be less travel involved and more regular hours.  

Jara and Lisa seem to have adjusted pretty well. They are very curious to their new school so we had a peak earlier this week. They are excited and like the look of it. They have also been able to connect well with new kids around but miss their friends from Yaoundé a lot.  

Siri has had a couple of rough days. She was down with a virus (a lot of vomiting and diarrhea) and found it hard to adjust. But she's better now, is eating again and playing well. A pity we lost her chubby thighs on the way. 

I also enjoy the new place. I find myself comparing with Yaoundé a lot and am pleasantly surprised in lots of ways. Bujumbura is much calmer, cleaner, easier to go around in. The weather is hotter and more humid. Larger supermarkets are non-existent but there is a good bakery, good butcher and fresh milk products. Life starts earlier here (the housekeeper of the house we're staying at woke us up at 7 am this morning trying to get in) and the girls will start school at 7.30. 

But we also said good-bye to a lot of good friends too. After almost 6 wonderful years in Cameroon, saying goodbye was not easy. 

We made a lot of good friends, saw lots of people come and go and this time it is our turn.

We arrived with one toddler and a baby on the way and are leaving with 3 precious girls. Cameroon is a fertile place! Be aware!

Although I'm sure our paths will cross again, it may be a while at first. But our doors are always open for you. 

Have a wonderful time with your friends and family!