I'm not in Pfafftown anymore.

So I received this a while ago…

-----------

You’re Invited!

What: Work at the Burundi Leadership Training Program, Learn about conflict management and Burundian politics, Immerse yourself in the dual worlds of (1) an expat community in the developing world and (2) the developing world itself, Take in the sights (Mountains and Beaches of Lake Tanganyika) and sounds (French and Kirundi) of this intimate central African town.

Where: Bujumbura, Burundi. The capital city of one of the 10 smallest countries in Africa (roughly the size of Connecticut, or Belgium).

Seated across from the Democratic Republic of Congo on the banks of Lake Tanganyika, the real Bujumbura can be sensed on its roads. The road surface varies from a few nicely paved “freeways” lined with periodic billboards, to stones inlaid in the dirt (think cobblestones unflattened,) to dusty streets UN vans and trucks overloaded with Burundians swivel around nonchalant walkers and cyclists carrying any and everything. Circling the town, walls and guarded entries stand in front of impressive houses (formerly belonging to the Tutsi elite, now occupied by expats), and in town leave your personal space behind you to walk through the throngs at the central market or down the sidewalk. Sidewalk meaning of course, side of the road.

When: August 14 to Christmas-ish.

After that, real life (read: work) begins. That is, when you get a job. Which means, more bluntly, you should be looking for one. Or someone should be offering you one. In case anyone happens to be looking for a smart, fun employee who’s been in Burundi. Cause you are and you will have been. Some people are probably into that. I bet.

Why: The country is at a fascinating crossroads of war and peace – or boxing match, if you will. In one corner, extreme poverty, a dense population, ethnic conflict, corrupt political leaders, no access to the sea and a pretty thuggish neighborhood… In the other, a brand new government and a slew of foreign groups trying to keep it on it’s feet! Who will overcome in this battle for peace and stability? Hop on over to find out.

----------

Hmm, interesting invitation, I thought. I do happen to have this interest in conflicts and conflict-affected areas that I picked up somewhere between Pfafftown and Paris. So when I walked into Virginia Carson’s office last September to say Hi and she handed me this, I thought Why Not? UNC seemed keen enough on the idea to give me a travel grant and that’s supporting me for a brief internship.

Et donc, voila. A week in, I've cashed the invitation in for 1 soccer game, 1 afternoon-long peace celebration at a lovely (and huge) local church, 3 days getting used to the office and its work, 3 nights out, 3 house guards, 1 cook, 1 gardener, $50 from a poker game, 120 malaria pills, plenty of papaya/mango/pineapple salad, and a healthy regular serving of Amstel.

I've been to much worse functions.