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Follow photographers as they travel the world and file reports from the field for National Geographic magazine.
Hiking in Rwanda
By Matt Eich, NGM Photo Intern
Posted Aug 12,2008

August 12, 2008

Up, up, up. The air gets thin, my breath gets short. My legs keep pumping and I am gasping for breath like a fish out of water but the porters and trackers haven't even broken a sweat. Stupid out of shape mizungu. My feet go numb from the cold once I reach our destination and stop moving.  I am in the Virunga mountains of Rwanda with a team of researchers, escorted by a couple stoic Rwandan soldiers.

Rifle around the neck of a soldiler

It is a beautiful country, tainted by the history of the genocide. During my short stay the people were nothing short of amazing and warm.

Clothesmarketrwanda

Man sitting by a window at a bus stop, Rwanda

As I travelled back to catch a plane out of Kigali, the first thought that flew into my head was, "I've got to come back." Hopefully someday, sooner rather than later.

Posted by Matt Eich | Comments (1)
Filed Under: Follow NGM Intern Matt Eich

Comments

Rik
Aug 12, 2008 5PM #

I smiled when I read your post. In 1990 I was able to visit Burundi. I got the same impression: amazing country, but sadly I haven't got the possibility to go back.

Rik

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