God is My Way...or "The Highway"

Back in August, I was an observer at the first ever Burundi Cup of Excellence. One day, after a battery of intensive cupping sessions, we boarded a bus and headed from the city center to the highlands.

Bus tourism is like: A strobe light. Moving pictures. A blurry feast for the eyes. I set my shutter to stutter and captured time.

Ascending unending with heavy cargo, this guy is working harder than you. "God-damn fixies!" Hauling up the Devil's drink, though I too prefer it to the other leading brands. Killer fenders, btw.

Quad-shot. These 4 lads have discovered another way, working smarter not harder. Grab on, hold tight and pray. A bus follows closely and Darwin awards are least expected, but these guys are pure prose.

Nothing so euphoric as going with the flow of gravity. Caution to the wind and flying. Above a certain rate, thoughts of brakes and fear of the unknown. Longing for those rear air bags to be front-side.

Vibrant colors in bold patterns. Strong women. Real life, just as in fantasy, Africa. Everyday garb, gorgeous. Pedestrian community.

Produce stand. Fresh, in-season, and guaranteed local. Setting the highest bar for best practices in merchandising. No Dole or Chiquita stickers here.

Love lift us up where we belong. Up and up and up to more distant vistas.

Past a brickyard nursery where fresh-cut bricks are sun-dried before firing.

Past a brick dry mill where they're stacked 3 meters high and low-fired.

Past a massive load of brick in parchment, or rather in reposado. I'm so intrigued, perhaps in my past life I was a mason or a Free-Mason.

Stout clean lines. Here's one of many examples of the finished product in final form. Road-side downtowns emerging in the countryside. Gimme shelter. Drop me off here.

Jeee-sus. I'm ready to get off this bus. Hoping there really will be a choir of angels when it stops at the tippy-top.

And minutes later, beyond the shroud of darkness, Paradise emerging!

Endless majesty! A sea of green! Heaven's gate, alas! But.... what plant is this?

Good Lord, it's TEA!

"Why hast Thou forsaken me!?!", I pretend.

On the contrary, I'm feeling wholly blessed with the journey and the destination, the people, and the highway.