Kilimanjaro Lives in Me: A Lifelong Bond
“This is the last lap”, I say out loud with a smile, to the strangers I met a few times, days before on the mountain, as I jog down Mount Kili.
In this moment, I feel strong, I feel like a conqueror. At the same time, I feel like I am fleeing from Kilimanjaro.
Am I trying to tell Mount Kili something, or is Mount Kili trying to tell me something? Either way, I am loving all the feelings that are passing through me at the same time as I make my way to the final exit off Mount Kilimanjaro.
Let me take you back to when it all became real
As I disembark from the airplane in Kilimanjaro, it feels so surreal. I stop for a moment to take it all in just before I get to the airport doors. After 6 months of planning and training I am actually stepping on the soil of Tanzania. I am here.
A warm welcome from the beautiful people of Tanzania from the airport to my hotel made this experience even better.
At my hotel, after I enjoy a couple of glasses of hibiscus tea with cookies and a delicious meal of lamb stew and rice, I lay wide awake – this is REAL.
I have one free day in Tanzania, so ofcourse I make the best of it.
A drive from Arusha to Moshi, reveals the majestic Kilimanjaro on a beautiful clear day as the clouds dance on the peak and the winds blow in the distance – a true masterpiece.
It’s the day before the climb, and this is when all the adrenaline kicks in. I have to remind myself to stay in today’s moment, and not to fast forward to tomorrow, because tomorrow’s moment is not real – YET. I can only stay in today, and today I choose to hike up to see a gorgeous waterfall.
Materuni Waterfalls - The. Hike. Before. The. Hike.
My wonderful guide Wilson from Uprise Africa Tours took me on a 5500 ft hiking adventure through rocks, sand and gravel amidst a beautiful backdrop of greenery and fresh air. I love Waterfalls. I simply love to sit and watch them.
Hiking back was quite steep so Wilson and I pole pole (slowly slowly) all the way up back to the car. It was a wonderful day.
Did Someone Say It's Friday? Day 1 of Kilimanjaro trek
It is Friday and today I get to step on the majestic Kilimanjaro with the porters and my guide. I am one lucky human. A good breakfast, beautiful messages/phone call from my tribe, last minute check of my gear, and I am READY!!!
The Rainforest
Let me tell you about Day 1. It started off like this.
First 3 minutes; “What the hell was I thinking, I should head back.”
Next second after that: Oh NO! I am going to do this!
The rest of my Day 1 climb – I am climbing Kilimanjaro, YES! Pole Pole Pole Pole.
We climb, we pause, we climb, we pause, we climb, we keep going.
You know the best part? Anytime I am climbing a mighty steep section is when I am enjoying myself the most.
My guide Francis from Uprise Africa Tours is amazing. We chat, have a few laughs, and he shares knowledge about the Rainforest too. About a mile to camp, we are lucky to have 2 porters come help us with our day packs. Whew! what a difference that makes.
By the way, I still cannot believe I am on Mount Kilimanjaro. Every peaceful whistle from the monkeys, chirping from the beautiful birds, silence – all reminded me of how lucky I am to be wandering around this mighty mountain. I am eternally grateful . I am happy. The Rainforest really is a place of peace. You can feel nature engulfing you!
Mti Mkubwa Camp - ah! Camp 1
My first sight of Camp 1 was one of pride. After about 4 hours of hiking through the rainforest, we made it to camp. Day 1 is complete.
The smell, the sense of accomplishment, the people, the food, the sound of happy people – how did I get so lucky? I have to take it all in.
After cleaning up, munching on popcorn and laying down for a bit to get some rest, I start to wander around camp. I see blue tents, green tents, orange tents, red tents. One of my favorite parts about being at camp – chatting with random strangers and guides. We are all HAPPY and wide-eyed for the adventure that lies ahead.
After a delicious dinner, I go outside my tent and I look up.
The stars are here, and they shine oh so bright in the evening night.
As I lay down that night on Kilimanjaro listening to the winds, I drift off to sleep thinking about the wild adventure that lies ahead.
It’s 1:41am, I hear the wind, do you hear the wind? I see the stars, do you see the stars?
Oh Kilimanjaro, Mighty Kilimanjaro, I am ready when you are, after a good night’s sleep. I look forward to experience your majesty on every steep climb, every sweat and every breath.
I drift on back to sleep.
Day 2 on Mount Kili: This is Hard!
Today is going to be a great day – I feel refreshed, the sky is clear, and everyone at camp is eager to start Day 2.
I am listening to some great afrobeat music from my running playlist as I eat my hot breakfast. I even throw in a few dance moves! Nothing like a dance party on Mount Killi at 6am.
Goodmorning Kili.
I start my climb with enthusiasm, but that quickly changes.
About an hour in, I want to give up. The climb starts to get intense with lots of steep climbing up rocks and boulders. Everything starts happening at the same time – I feel queasy, my tummy starts to turn. Oh! Oh! is that altitude?
We take a break!
We start to climb again – this is hard! After about 4 hours later of steep steep climbing, some dark thoughts start to find their way in.
“Who in their right mind will do this willingly? Oh yeah, me, because I like hard things for no reason.
“I should just stop this.”
…but Eliza, you get to tell a story. “I don’t care about a story. I am at 11,000 feet, and this is hard, who cares about a story. I would rather push a truck on the highway at this moment”.
This internal dialogue goes on for a bit.
At one point, I know I need to do something different. I throw on some upbeat music and I start to dance as I tap my hiking sticks. I get a laugh out of the porters.
I tell them, “at this point, this is the only way I am going to finish this climb and get to camp”.
We Made it!
After 6 hours of steep climbing, I simply want to eat and lay down.
I am tired today.
I see the peak of Killi. I am laying next to the peak of Killi, but I can’t touch the peak yet.
Day 3: The Easy Day
Day 3 was a pretty easy day. I enjoyed the beautiful scenery every step of the way.
We wandered through moorland admiring the beauty of Kilimanjaro. We had some great laughs, bonded with other climbers, and took it all in.
Just around 12,000 feet, I hit a snag and struggle a bit with nausea. I power through till we get to camp. Hot lemon water and a short nap did the trick.
As I lay down that night under the shining stars, I wondered, “How did I make it this far? Oh I know how – it is for the love of humanity, oneness with nature, quest to explore, and determination – just like I did with my steering wheel many moons ago.
Tomorrow is another day.
I hope you always choose open roads to a new adventure.
~Eliza
Comments
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Abena Kwarteng
Such a beautiful write-up. You indeed have inspired all of us. I’m still captivated by One of your most recent notes when you got to the top, keeping a focus to enjoy nature…..❤️. This keeps resonating in my mind. 💗. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.
You are truly an inspiration Eliza! 😍
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Kray
My Girl…you made me feel like wow
Truly inspirational, pole pole pole!!! -
Benny-Jean Laryea
Pole pole 😀😀😀so captivating and so inspiring as i read. Mind over matter on this trip. You persevered and you pulled through each day and i am so proud of you eliza ❤️👏🏾