Day 7 - Tougher than expected 67k finish

We were far to happy and relaxed on Saturday morning after a visit to the YFC Homes for Hope site in Burundi, expecting a flat and easy ride "home" to Bujumbura.   It was far from that as the 67km ride had some early short climbs and the entire route was against a strong wind gusting off of Lake Tanganyika!  As an added "bonus", there was a 20km middle section of the route with a "road" of non-stop potholes, rocks and cars.  We really struggled through that obstacle course at 15kmph, but surprisingly with no blow outs or flats!!  After 3 1/2 hours we arrived into Burundi and were greeted by some local families and friends, followed by smoothies and sandwiches at a local cafe by the Burundian Board of Tourism!!!  Awesome!!

Home for Hope orphans sang and danced for us before our ride. 

Donut-like balls were part of a generous breakfast at the orphanage.  YFC's model for its 2 up and running orphanages (Gitega and Cibitoke) is a large ground area with an orphanage, food producing farm animals and a bread making hothouse, a public school for locals and orphans and a health clinic.  This model is getting perfected.  Funding of course is the need to roll this out further, but what we saw was indeed impressive in both locations. There is also the opportunity for child sponsorship via GLO at $50 per month!  Consider this as I have seen this firsthand and it is working. 

These boys enjoyed seeing a few of my family photos, the. Wanted me to take one of them too.

Mural on side of orphanage building.

Cotton fields on the route today

Another alternative if we felt our cycling was too challenging

Even more demanding!

Anything and everything via bike transport

Celebration at KCC dinner with Burundian drummers (you tube Burundi drummers and you WILL be impressed with their show!)

Some serious leaping!