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| Page Views: 1,571 | The Roof by Geisha_Girl - last update: Nov 21, 2006 |
"As far as the eye can see, as wide as the whole world, high and unbelievably white in the sun, lies the flat peak of Kilimanjaro."
-Ernest Hemingway from 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro'
In the summer of 2005, just back from my first trip to Africa, I was doing what I usually do on a Thursday night in the summertime - a picnic in the park with friends, having laughs along with our wine and cheese, and listening to a great live band. I remember reminiscing with them about my time in Tanzania and mentioning how I'd one day love to go back to that beautiful country. I must have mentioned that I would one day love to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in that same conversation, because months later I was being called on that statement by some of those same friends....and thus, the preparations for the trek to the Kili summit commenced.
We soon got together the Kili crew - all of us from different backgrounds, and all of us with the same common interest: to explore all the beauty that Kilimanjaro has to offer and dance on the rooftop of Africa while we all still physically can.....and before her immense glaciers all melt away.
It was going to be their first time in Africa, and there were still so many parts of Tanzania that I had yet to explore, so we were determined to cover as much of her terrain as we possibly can. Climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, explore the vast beauty of the Serengeti, and then melt into the white sands and azure waters of the island of Zanzibar.
This trip had "Amazing Adventure" written all over it.
At 5895 meters (19,340 ft.), we knew the goal of reaching the summit was going to be no easy feat. We had our own hiking and mountaineering expert on the crew, so the preparations for this started early and were very efficient. I quickly evolved into "Nature Girl!"
We trained......and we trained hard.
Our weekend hikes around the local trails unveiled so much natural beauty right in our own backyards. It was great to discover these hidden treasures and made me appreciate living in this area even more. We knew that no matter how hard we trained on the trails, there was no telling how our bodies would react at such high altitudes on Kilimanjaro.
We had just 6 days on the mountain, and we were all determined to go as far as our minds and bodies could take us.
Kili can be very unpredictable. Her terrain is as diverse as her climate and we needed to be prepared for all the extremes in rain, snow, and heat. We had no idea what to expect up there, but once we arrived, we felt as if Kili welcomed us in her open arms. She cleared her path for us on summit night and there was not a cloud in the sky......I'll never forget how clear the night sky was and how luminous the stars were lit that high up. She even tossed out a few shooting stars at us for 'good luck.'
8 of us made the journey to Africa, 6 of us were on the climb up Kili, and only 3 of us made it to the summit. We lost 3 of our crew to the perils of the high altitude and they had to quickly descend. After making it to 15,000 ft. and then 17,000 ft. respectively, it was still a celebration for all of us in the end.
My experience atop Mt. Kilimanjaro will forever be one of the greatest challenges in my life. It was an unforgettable journey....it was an emotional journey. I have never pushed my body to such extreme measures. Standing there at the summit on Uhuru Peak with the rest of my crew was the most incredible feeling. It was crystal clear and the sun was beaming brightly above us as we were surrounded by her majestic glaciers....finally the Snows of Kilimanjaro.
I have been to some amazing places on this planet, but that epic moment standing on top of the Roof of Africa is by far the most amazing. I think the only way to outdo that moment is perhaps......a trip to THE MOON? Or shall we take on the Everest summit?
Hmmm........ |
| They are worth every penny |
|  | The OTHER Roof of Africa Besides summiting Kili, one of the other highlights of this return trip to Africa was visiting my kids at the Kilimahewa Nursery school. I volunteered as a teacher at this school last year, and I knew I had to come back to see all those little smiles once again.
I had kept in touch with Mr. Massawe, the owner of the school, and he wrote about all the wonderful changes this school had been going through. Lots of new building had taken place (all through generous private donations). I had sent some money for him to build the kids a swingset, and it was great to see them with a brand new playground enjoying their new swing.
There had been a couple of new classrooms being built (the classrom had grown to over 100 students since I taught there last summer!) but they were still in need of finishing the 2nd classroom and needed more funds to build the roof.
Our Kili crew came to the aid of the school and through word-of-mouth and just talking to friends, family members, and co-workers about the school generated over $2000 USD in donations. This was more than enough for Mr. Massawe to finish the roof for his new classroom.
As soon as our van pulled up at the school, we were immediately greeted with all their bright little smiles, and it was such a joy to see them all again. There was not a dry eye in our crew as soon as they saw where the money was going to.
Not only were we arriving into Tanzania to climb the "Roof of Africa" but we were there to help build a "Roof IN Africa." |
| The "Dollah" is worth her weight in gold! |
| | The "U.S. Dollar" grows stronger every day! Last year, I introduced you all to Mr. Massawe's youngest daughter whom he proudly named "U.S. Dollar!" (Dollah for short). Well, I must say, I couldn't wait to see U.S. Dollar again, and looked for her amongst all the hundreds of kids that greeted us.
Amongst all the chaos, I picked her out of the crowd as she was sitting all on her own in the very back of the classroom. When I tried calling out to her, one of the current volunteers said to me, "Oh that Dollah.....she is such a little DIVA. She won't go to anyone!" Just then, as I called her once more, the "Little Diva" ran up to me and jumped into my arms! This was definitely a Kodak moment, and the Little Diva even flashed a smile for me on cue! |
| | The 'Wazungus' with a BIG HEART! Aside from the $2000 USD raised for the roof, our Kili crew managed to gather up more generous items to donate to the school. One of our guys donated a brand new digital camera to Mr. Massawe so he can take pics of the kids and send them out to all the volunteers who pass through there. He was overjoyed with the gift.
Also, the American Heart Association donated dozens of jump ropes to the school.
It was a priceless moment captured on film when we presented all these gifts to Mr. Massawe and the class. We presented the money, the camera, then when the jump ropes came out, you heard all the rush of excitement come out of their little mouths! (forget the cash and camera........the jump ropes were the big hit!!!) |
| | A Return to the "Light" "Light in Africa" has a special place in the hearts of all of us. It is the orphanage that cared for our Tumaini.....the adopted daughter of our very dear friend. We spent the afternoon with Mama Lynn and her kids at the Malecita Home (near Moshi) and I introduced them to the nursery where I first laid eyes on Baby Tumaini.
It was October 31st when we visited the orphanage and it happened to be Tumaini's 2nd birthday. While Tumi was back in California celebrating her 2nd b'day with a big party at the kiddie ranch (riding ponies and enjoying hay rides), we wanted to celebrate her special day with the kids of "Light in Africa." We ordered a cake at one of the local bakeries in Moshi and delivered it to Mama Lynn and the kids. We sang and celebrated as we all cried along with Mama Lynn.
The Kili Crew saw for themselves just how amazing this woman is. A modern day "Mother Theresa" for the children of Tanzania. She is still as spunky as I remember her, and her plight for her children has not gone unnoticed. Within the year since I last visited, the orphanage has gained wider recognition and more and more generous donations. A church in Malibu, California flew her out to speak on behalf of the orphanage, and more donations flooded in.
Mama Lynn and her staff are now able to feed and clothe more street kids, and expand more and more on their medical programmes to help and rescue more children. She also doesn't have to carry her sick kids on the local bus ('Dala Dala') to get to the hospital.....as she now cruises around town in her own SUV (given to her from a generous volunteer).
It was such an overwhelming relief to see all these positive changes take place within just a year. The gods are certainly on her side. |
| | Hope for Christa I had heard the story of this baby girl, Christa, months ago. Christa was destined to become "Light in Africa's" second successful adoption after Tumaini. Her parents were Americans living in Dar Es Salaam, and had been going through the turmoil of red tape that could have potentially made them lose Christa.
However, the day we visited the orphanage, Mama Lynn had just announced that all the paperwork was going through and through "The Grace of God" Christa's parents were going to be able to foster her in their home and complete the adoption.
Christa and Tumaini grew up together in the LIA nursery. In fact, Tumaini named her baby doll, Christa. Christa's grandparents live in California, and there is much hope that the 2 girls can reunite this December. Just in time to celebrate their first Christmas in the U.S. together! |
| | Serenity in the Serengeti After reaching the farthest heights on top Mt. Kilimanjaro, it seemed most appropriate to explore the next Great Wonder of Tanzania: The Serengeti.
It had always been a dream of mine to visit this vast Savannah.........and camp right in the middle of all its vastness.
We spent 2 nights camped out here. The photos and stories are all worth sharing.
Only in Africa can you be awaken by the sounds of a lion near your tent or being stared straight in the face by a baboon while you sip your morning coffee. |
| | Return to the Island of Spices After the intense physical exertion we put ourselves through while climbing Kili, we were in dire need of some pure relaxation.
Not only were we able to find that in the north east side of the island of Zanzibar.....but we also discovered her exotic history.
We did some shopping in Stone Town and did some exploration on some of the spice plantations, but living in my sarong and sleeping on a hammock on a deserted white sand beach for 5 days was my kinda 'cultural immersion.' |
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IIGUANA Thu Aug 13, 2009 04:22 UTC
ROCHELLE!!!!! I missed your bday!!! Better late than never. I hope you had an amazing time. I'm sure you did. Big hug!!! | Bohemedream Wed Aug 12, 2009 02:48 UTC
Triple G !!! Happy Belated Birthday !!! Drink LOTS of champagne !!! Will 2009 be the year our paths cross?? I sure hope so !!! Much peace, love and happiness........xxoo Bohemey | hasanhanks Mon Aug 10, 2009 23:58 UTC
G_G, My how time passes@ such a rapid rate. It seems like yesterday.......Happy Belated Birthday!!!!!!! | ymike2000 Mon Aug 10, 2009 03:04 UTC
Happy belated birthday! |
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