sleeping horizontal

after 3 planes, 20 hours flying then 6 hours driving we get to sleep lying down. We have arrived in the middle of Burundi. After a late dinner I am wrestling with a french keyboard at the hotel - a special kind of torture for sure. As soon as I was off the plane I understood why I was back here. The light, the smell, the warm greetings - all so familiar and welcome. The roads have improved since I was last here, and the borders seemed more relaxed. What remains the same are the roadblocks, truck accidents - yup we passed two large semi's on their sides but no injuries - and the rising tension that comes from driving at night.

We are a group of 5 Canadians, all seasoned travelers, led by a very lay back Ben Hoogendorn, the President of Food for the Hungry Canada. After all the travel we anticipated a late morning start tomorrow, but I was just informed that we have been invited to church with the wife of the President of Burundi - the service starts at 9 and we are 2 hours drive away! So not only do we leave at the crack of dawn - we need to be in shirt and tie!

I am very happy to be here, and anticipate yet another life altering trip, but right now I can't wait to lie down.

Peace.

preparing to go

Its been about a year and a half since I have been in Central Africa. My last trip took almost a year to figure out. I can no longer only be a traveler in these places. I can't simply take good photos, show sympathy, and move on. This trip is about figuring out my true relationship with those countries, and the people. I have no real anxiety, just anticipation. I leave tonight, have one day in London, then meet my friends to fly to Kigali. From Kigali we fly to Bujumbura, the Capital of Burundi and spend 4 days in a couple of communities there. Then back to Kigali and have a look a some 'social commerce' programs. On Saturday the 7th we fly to the border of Rwanda and drive into Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo to visit with a friend Kristee Watson. Monday morning the 9th we take a fast boat up Lake Kivu to Goma and spend our last couple of days at Heal Africa with Lyn and Jo Lusi. Of course, this is Africa, so that schedule may all change.

I will try to post as often as I can.