To Africa and Back

Here are two covers that I sent to Africa and were returned to me unclaimed. I'm not surprised because I found these addresses on old covers from my collection (they were from the 70s and 80s) and I had a great big hunch that they really would be returned to me. I just wanted to see how long it would take and, of course, I wanted to see all the frankings that they would apply. I should have known better than to put such large stamps and M/S's that there was not much space for the frankings and stickers and now the covers are a bit messy... Oh well... These are nice pieces nonetheless. :-)

1. Sent: 23.07.10 Manila CPO
   
2. Dispatched: 27.07.10 Manila Processing Center
3. Transit: 12.08.10 Johannesburg Mail Center (according to online tracking service)
   
4. Arrived: 13.09.10 Abidjan Processing Center
   
5. Distributed: 14.09.10 Abidjan 03
6. First Notice: 14.09.10 Abidjan 03
7. Second Notice: 22.09.10 Abidjan 03
8. Returned: 19.10.10 Abidjan Processing Center
9. Arrived: 04.11.10 Manila Processing Center
10. Distributed: 09.11.10 Quezon City Central P.O.
11. Distributed: 09.11.10 Araneta Center P.O.
12. Received: 15.11.10 by me

TRAVEL TIME: 3 months, 23 days (115 days)

1. Sent: 23.07.10 Manila Central PO
2. Dispatched: 27.07.10 Manila Processing Center
3. Arrived: 19.08.10 Ouaga CNT
4. Second Notice: 14.09.10 Ouagadougou
5. Arrived: 21.10.10 Manila Processing Center
6. Distributed: 26.10.10 Quezon City PO
7. Distributed: 28.10.10 Araneta Center PO
8. Received: 08.11.10 by me
   

TRAVEL TIME: 3 months, 16 days (108 days)

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, also known by its short-form name Burkina, is a landlocked nation in West Africa. It is surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin to the south east, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the south west. Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta, it was renamed on August 4, 1984, by President Thomas Sankara to mean "the land of upright people" in Moré and Dioula, the major native languages of the country. Literally, "Burkina" may be translated, "men of integrity," from the Moré language, and "Faso" means "father's house" in Dioula. The inhabitants of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabé.

Burkina Faso's capital is Ouagadougou. After gaining independence from France in 1960, the country underwent many governmental changes until arriving at its current form, a semi-presidential republic.