A few things I've noticed concerning Burundi:

Concerning Traffic:
The traffic laws here are simple to understand, but complex to follow: basically, don't die.

Pedestrians are never given right-of-way. Cars come very very close to people. It's not the best place to take a stroll.

Stop signs are merely suggestions. As are crosswalks.

Motos (motorcycles) are available as a "taxi service" …but people don't wear the casket (their word for helmets, ha!) properly. One person was wearing his helmet on his elbow! Some people wear the helmet, but don't take time to secure the strap. Eek.

There are "buses", which are like mini vans. They cram people in to the hilt. I have not and hopefully will not, ride in one of those.

There are larger buses, which are actually like buses in the states. I have ridden in one of those. It was an experience, but I'm pretty sure a bus ride in this states would be the same way.

There are many bikes here as well. People load these babies down to the hilt. I can't imagine people in the states riding bikes in this way…carrying doors, huge bags of cassava... it's astounding what these people can do!

There are also many taxis that drive like maniacs. If they see you are white, they jack up prices, of course. And they don't service their cars very well…these things ride like they're about to fall apart!

It is also funny to see what they write on their buses and vans.
Various ones have read: "Ponny Express","Jack Bauer", "Let's God Decide"... it's so funny to read the vehicles. I'm pretty sure that most people don't realize what they are saying in English (It reminds me of how Americans get tattoos in Chinese characters)

Thankfully, traffic is in the 20-40 mph range. Not that there's a speed limit, but the cars here are so worn out, they can't go much faster.
Also, many of the roads are full of potholes. The dirt roads have ravines.

If they had emission inspections, there would be almost no cars on the roads.

Concerning Shopping: 


Shopping is vastly different from shopping in the USA.
There is no Walmart, or any all in one store. Prices are different at different places.
The shops have shelves behind the counter, and you tell the shopkeeper what you'd like. There is little in the way of organization in the stores.

There is also haggling. Things that one takes for granted in the States (like, eww, Bran Flakes) are really expensive here. The box up there was going for 19,400 FBU (around $15 USD).
Dog Shampoo was 39,850 FBU (basically $30 USD)
Dogs here are mangy and mostly guard dogs...so I have no idea who would spend that kind of money on a dog. Human Shampoo was 23,000 FBU.  Seriously?? What do they think expats are made of?

Alternately, fruits and veggies are really cheap here. I was able to buy 4 yummy avacadoes for 1,000 FBU. What what?


Note that ~1,400 FBU = 1.00 USD

Here are some more pictures I was able to snag with my phone (pray that my camera cord gets here safely so I can show you the gorgeousness of this place!)

some of the discovery school kids on the bus ride home

The really bumpy road...some spots had some SERIOUS potholes and "rivers"