THE CLOUDS ARE STARTING TO LIFT
AND VOILA!
The terrain is getting increasingly rugged. We stopped for snacks along the way and the energy bars provided by my nephew Steve are a huge hit with the crew - they are everyone's favourite, bar none (no pun intended).......whenever we stop I offer up a few treats to the crew. The guides and especially Method (the rescue guy) eagerly accept the snacks......Method is always smiling, but has yet to talk. The porters steadily pass us by as they make their way through to the next camp in plenty of time to get everything set up before we arrive. As they pass, we move to the side and it's an opportunity to take a drink of water.
RUGGED TERRAIN - FRIDTJOF, VINCE, NIVES AND ME
ROCKY CAVES
Many trekkers have created INUKSHUKS along the way. An inukshuk is a traditional sculptural form made of unworked stones and used by the Inuit for communication and survival. I have always associated inukshuks with British Columbia - it was quite something to see them all over Mt. Kilimanjaro.....it is a small world after all!
INUKSHUK
As I hiked with my dear friends I thought about the amazing experience that we were sharing. The bonding of our group, including the crew is certainly not a result of deep conversations... but rather of the actual experience itself. There is no energy or time to talk at any length because total concentration is needed to watch our steps and to follow the guides. There is a steady rhythm to the hiking - the sounds of the poles hitting the rock and of our boots crunching on the loose stone - my breathing was laboured, but I was getting into the zone - one step at a time thinking that "failure is not an option" (thanks Roburt)!
We needed to take many, many pee breaks.....I think I've left my scent (like a dog) up the entire mountain...............there is no room for modesty here and at times the only shield from others was my friend Nives standing in front of me.
THANKS BUDDY!
It was very dusty terrain and my face buff helped to reduce the amount of dirt that I was breathing in. At the end of the day my face was black and gritty.....I looked forward to our hot water bowls! As we got closer to camp each day, we'd walk faster - like horses heading back to the barn at the end of a tough ride. We had another incredible view of the mountain as we approached the Moir camp. Today was physically the hardest so far......it made me wonder what lies ahead!
MOIR CAMP
When we had dinner tonight our waiter, Benson broke out in song......it was so sweet. He sang the "Hakuna Matata" song and then wrote the words out in my journal. He has started to call me mama and has taken to writing in my journal on a regular basis (he takes it right off the table without asking) - he writes Tanzania songs and popular phrases in Swahili.
BENSON
The food is basic, but very good, well prepared and served on cloth table covers. We've had fried chicken, chips, stews, fish, rice, pancakes and corn fritters. Soup is served every day at lunch and dinner. After dinner each night we get a briefing about the next day - what to expect, what to wear, how much water to carry.
We are getting to know our guides better each day. Francis, the lead guide is extremely knowledgeable and is very clear and directive on what we need to do to be successful. He has instructed us to "take one day at a time" and not worry about what is ahead....he says "hike today and get where you need to go - tomorrow is another day and we will deal with it then". Simple, but really really good advise, as I have a tendency to obsess about what's coming down the pipe. He instills confidence in us.
Francis lives in a small village with his wife and two kids (both in school). He is from the Chagga tribe, although he is a practising catholic. He does about 12 treks per year and when he's not guiding, he's farming. He speaks English very well and has a terrific sense of humour. His heartfelt laugh is what I often hear while resting in my tent - it's completely contagious and makes me smile. You can tell by his interaction with the crew that he is well liked and respected.
OUR FEARLESS LEADER, FRANCIS
Liberaty (aka Libby) is the assistant guide - also very knowledgeable and a nurturing sort. I believe he is quite a bit younger than Francis and is working towards becoming a "lead" guide. He lives with his girlfriend in Moshi and was frequently texting her while on the mountain. He'd double check with everyone to make sure that we were OK, anticipating our every need. He'd always be there to give me a pull up from a rock or to help me with my gaiters (which I seemed to have a lot of trouble with). He kept asking me "Cindy, are you goot?" Although his first language is Swahili, there is a bit of a German accent when speaking English (maybe because of the German colonisation of East Africa?)...so, his consonants are very crisp....
I answer, "Yes, Libby, I am goot".
LIBBY - GENTLE CAREGIVER
And I am good.....no major symptoms other than a minor headache and normal fatigue after a long day of physical activity.......and so very very happy to be here!
JOY!!
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