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Published: January 8th 2007
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A short flight from London landed me in Zurich airport where I was due to get a connecting flight to Nairobi. Now with true Swiss efficiency I was unable to board the plane when I arrived at the gate because they had found "something" on the x-ray they took of my bag. Now I was baffled. I'd flown through airports in Australia, America and England but it was only now I was having any trouble. It turned out to be a packed of sparklers. You know the kind that you light on birthdays and other celebrations. So after a little talk about what is allowed to be carried, I was allowed to board the plane.
Nairobi airport was interesting. So different to any other airport that I've been to. The passport control man ask me how Sydney was and I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't from Sydney so replied "Hot this time of year!" and accompanied it with a big smile.
The rest of my group had arrived about 4 hours before me so it was up to me to meet them at the hotel. After being heckled by several taxi drivers I picked
Christopher, who had a big toothless smile. He was really lovely. He told me about his wife, 4 children and one grandchild and told me other things about Kenya generally. He was also very happy about the $2 tip I gave him. But I was happy to arrive in one piece (road rules are more of a suggestion here than what actually happens - it's absolute chaos) and he carried my heavy bags for me.
After meeting up with the rest of the group who were very jet-lagged having flown from Australia we ate and hit the hay as we had a early start and a long bus trip ahead. We left Nairobi at 8am and didn't arrive in Moshi until 5pm. Although a long trip it was so interesting because the scenery was so different to anything that you drive by at home. As already mentioned, road rules don't seem to apply in alot of places. I think this has a lot to do with the quality, or lack there of, of the road. There are enormous pot holes in the roads with many unsealed. There has also been quite a bit of rain recently causing huge pools
Hair being braided
The ladies were laughting at my thin hair and white scalp of water to fill the pot holes. The result: all vechiles weave all over the road trying to find the least bumpy path resulting in a chaotic and hair-raising journey.
We passed through some very poor townships where people live in mud huts. We saw brilliant splashes of colour as we approached areas where the Maasi live. There were two very interesting passport checks (there was one to exit Kenya where we got mobbed by Maasi trying to sell us things and then another to enter Tanzania - much less of the mobbing but it took almost an hour to get 20 people through when we already have visas).
Once in Tanzania we saw a huge mountain and said - Wow, Kili is BIG. But then Slim, our driver, told us it wasn't Kili. A bit later another bigger mountain came into view and we again said - Wow, Kili is HUGE. But Slim again corrected us, though he waited about 15mins to tell us because he tought it was funny that we thought it is so huge. When Kili did come into sight we were gobsmacked. It is ENORMOUS!! So high that we couldn't see the snow
The braided bunch
Chris wearing a wig, Emma, Amy, Ashleigh and I after our hair was braided on top because of cloud cover. We were able to see it at dusk from our hotel, Springlands, which is an oasis in the midst of a lot of dirt and dust.
The next day Ashleigh, Emma, Amy and I went into town to get our hair braided. It was so cheap - $US5 including a tip. They were laughing at my thin hair and white scalp. We had an introduction to the principals at the Nelson Mandela School as well.
The following day a group of us headed into town to see the markets. It is a very daunting experience. Some people will follow you around for ages trying to sell you things. Others will tell you that they have no money to feed their family and can you please find it in your heart to buy something from them. Others name ridiculous prices and you have to haggle them down. The best part is the children who you meet along the way who calll out pi-pi (which means lolly or sweet), want their photo taken or wave madly at you. Some of the braver ones will come and hold your hand. They really are so beautiful.
Pi-pi pi-pi!!
Kids enjoying the lollipops I gave them That afternoon we had a Swahili lesson at school. It was very interesting and we now know hour to politely tell the sellers in the market place that we don't like it, it's too expensive, reduce the price and go away, plus other basics like yes, no, please, thank you and of course how to order beer. As part of this tour we have a homestay for the night at one of the teachers' houses so after the lesson we left to go home with them. This was the best experience ever!!! The lady we sayed at prepared the most sensational meal with the help of her daughter and niece. Then afterwards we talked and gave them gifts. In the morning they again prepared a delcious breakfast and escorted us back to school as today was painting day. We had a fence to paint today. I'm not going to explain it because it's too hard. I will post a photo soon.
Tonight we host a dinner for our homestay parents and tomorrow we go back to the school the teach the children some lessons. My teaching buddy, Naomi, and I, are teaching year 3 and 4 children about
Back to school
Juma teaching us Swahili Australian animals. The day after (wednesday) - we start walking up Mt. Kilimanjaro - the tallest mountain on the African continent.
I unfortunately can't post photo's at the moment because the internet cafe at Springlands doesn't allow it. There is apparently a place in town but I haven't been able to find it as yet but it's on the list of things to do when I come back down the mountain.
Until then my friends......
M
xx
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gabs
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Sounds like you've had quite the journey thus far! Sparklers hey?!? Wonders will never cease ;) You've painted a really wonderful picture into the amazingly different culture and way of life in Africa. Through your words I really feel an amazing sense of both wonderment and sadness ...but feel overcome by such profound joy in what these kids will experience through your teachings. After all, they are only being taught by the best! :) I'm sure it will be one of the most moving and heartfelt experiences you'll ever have. Its definately moved me! Well I've arrived safely back to the not-so-sunny brisbane late last night and it feels wonderful to be home. However, my time away was thoroughly enjoyed. Hope you've trained for your climb up Mt Kiliminjaro, its 5896m entirity is not for the faint hearted, especially upon reaching the summit. Which route did you use? I've heard the Rongai Route is very popular. Can't wait to hear more about it. Love you and miss you loads xx