It is a sunny day in Sunzu Village, located in Kinoni Sector, Burera District. I am chilling at Kwanzaa House, taking it easy before setting out to explore parts of this enchanting district.
After a long dry season, the landscape is not as green as it usually is, but the view of Lake Burera remains breathtaking.
Across the water, the sight of La Paillotte Cyuza Island rekindles memories of my weekend getaway there. From Cyuza, my eyes wander to Bushongo Island and finally to Batutsi, the only inhabited island in the lake.
I have always wondered what life is like on that island. What does it feel like to wake up there, surrounded by water and mountains? I am looking forward to finding out, with a thrilling boat ride to Batutsi Island on the cards.
But first, I will lace up my hiking shoes and climb Mwiko Mountain. Then I will visit Sunzu Yacu Community Library and turn a few pages. Somewhere in between, there will undoubtedly be the unscripted encounters, unexpected detours, and little discoveries that make exploring Burera so much fun.
I turn to the other side of the hill, and my train of thought shifts with the view. There they are, the volcanoes. I know some of them quite well, having climbed a few over the years. I am used to seeing their familiar silhouettes from afar while riding along the Kigali-Rubavu highway. But from the viewpoint at Kwanzaa House, they have a completely different presence. They are much closer, rising beyond the hills and filling the horizon in a way they never quite do from the highway.
For now, though, there is nowhere I need to be. I take another sip of my juice and settle back into my chair. The lake is quiet, the volcanoes stand tall beyond the hills, and Burera has already given me a glimpse of what lies ahead.
The adventure can wait a little longer.