Blogs from Moshi, North, Tanzania, Africa - page 3

We woke at 0430 to quickly eat and take transport to Moshi for the Kilimanjaro marathon. Mom would be running the half and I considered it but sadly waited too long to register. A few others from the Marangu hotel would be running. Astrid, once lived in Montreal and now worked in Kenya as a doctor and a Canadian couple who'd also attempted Kilimanjaro. I hate being on the sidelines of physical activity but the hell with it. We arrived at the stadium by the university and everything was set up. The organizers claimed that this was one of the biggest events in East Africa. Once the races began, Dad and I walked around with camera's and visited downtown Moshi for a few hours. The day grew hot quite early and I wondered how the runners ... read more

just fancied tracking our journey so far ... take a look if you please!!! :) love to all xxxx... read more

So we’re in Tanzania‼! And we are official volunteers now – work permits, t shirt tans, and blisters included. It’s lovely here, but mainly because of the ever present and spectacular sight that is Mount Kilimanjaro. She is huge‼ and very dramatic, being that she is mysteriously shrouded in cloud for a large portion of the day but bursts through in the mornings and evenings to reflect the sun off her scorching temperature defying snow-capped summit. I kind of wish we were climbing her, but then also I have met so many people, fit as fiddles, who have admitted how bloody hard it was, so maybe I’m just better off admiring her from terra firma‼! I have a suspicion that my weaky constitution and my lack of endurance may have prevented me from summiting anyway so ... read more

So we made it to Moshi, Tanzania after an 8 hour bus trip from Nairobi. The trip allowed us to see some interesting vistas and experience more of the local flavor. While travelling, the bus was stopped by herds of goats and cows which definitely confirmed a few Hollywood stereotypes. We also got to experience the Kenya-Tanzania border crossing which was less exciting than I had hoped. They barely glanced at my passport or half-filled out visa application form, took my money, stamped my passport and sent me on my way. I had so many witty responses prepared... When we first arrived in Moshi, Kili was a little shy and hidden behind some clouds (apparently a common occurrence). But as we were returning from town after exchanging currencies, Kilimanjaro decided to unveil herself (himself???) and we ... read more

Road work TZ style: Wear day-glo green vest. Place rocks down the center line. If you need to straighten or move the rocks, stand in the oncoming traffic lane and move them! We came across real, serious road construction. The front man carries two flags, one red and one green. There is yellow and black striped tape strung from tree to tree across the road. We were stopped and our driver, Mama and the construction man had a lively discussion. Apparently the news about the road closure was bad because we turned around and found an alternate route. The alternate route was interesting, to say the least. We drove through deeply rutted roads that are no wider than alleys in Denver and in one part we drove through a village market- actually ... read more