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Published: April 28th 2008
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Hello all!!!
Hope all is well with you. Sorry for the delay (for those that are bothered?!)
So after heading back to my cousins in Benalmadena, Spain after Morocco, i lived the life of luxury for a few days, eating plenty, drinking too much and having the use of things like washing machines????? I think it was a good decision though, got loads of admin bits sorted and Morocco will still be there another day!!! I flew back to Bristol on the Monday, then straight to Heathrow where i got my flight to Nairobi via J'Burg - absolutely ridiculous way to do it but its the only way my ticket worked?! I got to Nairobi at about 6pm, arranged my transfer to Marangu the next day and went to my hotel.
Nairobi: Busy, heaving and contrasting from wealth to poverty along with the seriously high crime rate, its not the ideal place to base yourself. As i got in the taxi, the driver locked my doors, you're not allowed your windows open and you try and stop as little as possible.....Driving is crazy and how there arent more accidents i don't know. My travel company had persuaded me to opt for
a hotel as opposed to a hostel and i am soooooo gald i did - the hotel was lovely, tucked away with all the facilties you would need on site - it even had a swimming pool and hot water etc - perfect - after 2 days travelling i wasnt in the best shape so i had a shower then went for some dinner where i met lorraine, a lady working for World Vision on an AIDS project. She was lovely and we were both grateful of each others company. We headed to bed early as she was expecting a phone call and i had to leave at 0730 the next day.
Early start wasnt great but all went smoothly, and we set off to Moshi, the nearest town to Marangu. The journey was long, the roads straight but the views were amazing, wildlife everywhere and passing through several small villages along the way. We eventually reached the border at 1130. What a palava?! We had to all get off, get signed out of Kenya, then drive on 100m, get checked into Tanzania, including me having my luggage checked which involved opening my jam packed backpack to be told to
shut it again - they hadnt even looked at it but that didnt matter the fact was theyd made me take my bag inside so the police thought they were doing their job???! Then on to Arusha, our first stop - got there about 1330. I was the only one going on to Moshi so i had a private transfer hehe - i persuaded him to take me on to the hotel another 30 mins away rather than get in a dalla dalla which are like small wagons with as many people as they can fit in them....( of course monely had to change hands?!)
Marangu:
Right at the foot of Kili it is a beautiful little village, the people are lovely, the views naturally spectacular and just beyond occasionally you can see the peaks of Kili although msotly they are hidden by cloud. My hotel is great - completely geared for Kili groups and so the atmosphere is good. People come and go every day some starting some finishing (which results in many a drunken laughter hehe) Last night there were 50 in who had just climbed for a charity called SCOPE. 15 made it to the peak, 23
to Gillman's point (where you see the sunrise over the plains) the rest hadnt made it at all, 1 had even been casevacked off the mountain( he was in a bad way apparantly) - just to show you the intensity of the climb - i dont think i had any idea but seeing these guys really made me realise - its not about reaching the peak at all, Kili is solely about personal challenge. They said its abouting finding your pain barrier and beating it - they were all lovely and gave me loads of little bits to help me on my way such as blister pads and local money too - i felt like a charity case!! I ate with them but left them to the partying as i was tired after my travels - i could hear them though! It made me think "what am i doing here?" but im hoping that will be answered next week when im at the first camp, 2nd 3rd or maybe even at the peak - only time will tell how far i can go, but no matter how high i get it will be the memories that you take away with
you and that's what matters.
There is a really good atmosphere in this village - im really enjoying it, looking forward to meeting the rest of the group on Saturday though, it can be lonely at times!!!
So I will update you all next Saturday when I am back in Nairobi and have completed the trip!
Take care all of you - post some messages!!!
Love yas lots
Rach xx
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