28th November, yes exactly it was 28th November when I had to move to Bujumbura, Burundi from Kampala, Uganda. I had a very tough argument with my manager regarding my travel to Bujumbura as I was not at all ready to go to this new place but as always my manager won. My girlfriend was also angry over me because of this sudden travel to Bujumbura as next day was her birthday and we were supposed to have a video chat that night but now nothing was sure. So here I was at Entebbe airport at 7am, putting so many things on stake.
Finally I boarded a charter kind of small and light” Air Uganda “flight after facing cruel and tough looks of Immigration authorities, having hard talks with my girlfriend and having a big argument, which I lost, with my manager.
Keeping all these thoughts aside, I started enjoying the ride as soon as the flight took off. As the plane was small, so the jerks on the way gave me the real sky diving experience. It was very scenic outside as the sun was playing hide and seek between the clouds and downside a stream of water was playing hide and seek between green colored mountains. While I was enjoying the nature I heard an announcement that,” cabin crew please take your seats, we are about to land at Bujumbura International airport”.
Every time, when I visit a new country, as soon as I hear the announcement that,” cabin crew please take your seats, we are about to land at XYZ destination”, I start imagining the cruel faces and questions of immigration authorities and in Africa the faces seem crueler. While I was day dreaming about immigration questions, a lovely voice fell into my ears and asked me,” sir now you can leave”. It was lady crew member of my flight.
So here I was at Bujumbura airport, no buses to carry people from the plane and all were leaving the plane as people leave bus at bus station or train at railway station.
The moment I entered the immigration area, a guy said ‘Hi’, I was surprised and then as I saw his police uniform, I thought maybe he is the first torture of the day, but still I greeted him back. Then he asked,” can I help you with your Visa application”, I was more surprised and said, “yes it will be my pleasure” .He started filling the form, which was in French and English and in between he asked me few questions such as how many days you intend to stay, what is the purpose of your visit and where are you going to stay. I gave him all the information and he filled everything and told me that,” sir you will get the Visa for 30 days multiple entries and the charge will be 90 USD”. I was overwhelmed with the way I was treated but still I didn’t get the point that why the hell on earth he is so friendly to me. Finally I paid the Visa fee and then proceeded towards the security gate. The security person also smiled and said, ‘welcome’, I became more confused and thought what the problem with the people is and why are they welcoming so much?
Finally, I went to the immigration guy, he also welcomed me and didn’t ask anything and just marked the stamp carrying entry date.
I came out and was perplexed because this was the first country where I was so much welcomed despite the fact that I am just an ordinary citizen of India.
Meanwhile taxi came and I boarded it for my office and on the way there were nice landscapes, lush green footpaths and mountain ranges all around. It was really a treat to the eyes. Overall I was really excited to see the city as this was the city for which I sacrificed a lot in 24 hours. I was looking out curiously and suddenly after 20 minutes my office came but still there was no sign of the city.
Finally I entered that house type office and felt as if I came into some lodge.
In the evening, I met my friend from India and I asked him to take me around the city. He asked me,” Which city are you talking about”? I took his question as a joke, so I replied,” Bujumbura man which else”, he said,” You are in Bujumbura”. I said,” come on! Man we are in outskirts of the city”.
He smiled at me and simply said welcome to Bujumbura Atul and I virtually fainted at that moment.
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