The difference between the field and the capital
Living in Bujumbura is not like being in the field. We have hot showers, internet access, mobile phones. We have a large choice of restaurants (including a very authentic indian) and bars (including the famous Cercle Nautique). I've been going to the gym several times each week (15 mins on an exercise bike at over 25 deg C and 80% humidity is hard going, but the view out the window towards the lake and the Congolese hills in the distance beats New Generation in Bristol.) And at a party last night even had cans of Boddingtons! (That was the second party of the evening... the first at ACF was "bring a bottle").
However, the downside of being in the capital is that you don't get the contact with the people you are here to help. This also haves an effect on our national staff - for those in the capital it is just a job and the commitment beyond the call of duty is just not there. As LogCo the idea is that I spend about 30% of my time in the field, but so far I'm not managing it as there is far too much to do in the capital. I was hoping to get out to our Kinyinya project in the week after next, but even that looks ambitious, given the amount of commitments the management team have to attend to at the moment.
However, the downside of being in the capital is that you don't get the contact with the people you are here to help. This also haves an effect on our national staff - for those in the capital it is just a job and the commitment beyond the call of duty is just not there. As LogCo the idea is that I spend about 30% of my time in the field, but so far I'm not managing it as there is far too much to do in the capital. I was hoping to get out to our Kinyinya project in the week after next, but even that looks ambitious, given the amount of commitments the management team have to attend to at the moment.
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