Post-Gazette Photographer Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is quite unlike Kigali, Rwanda. The most significant difference is that the Congolese town sits on Lake Kivu, which is big and lovely.
Large hills surround the area.
One can readily see why in the past, expatriates picked this place for vacations and retirement. It reminded me of Vancouver, Canada, and Martha thought of Puget Sound. It's hard to remember that Bukavu is struggling with the consequences of unrest in the villages around it. At the border between Cyangugu, Rwanda and Bukavu, another difference became obvious. We had heard that Rwandans are thought to be reserved and close-mouthed, while other Africans come across as open and gregarious.