From the foothills of Kilimanjaro - Exploring the Modern Day Pangaea

June 13, 2004

From the foothills of Kilimanjaro

Unfortunately, none of the computers I have come across in Nairobi or here in Moshi, Tanzania have USB connections, so no pictures. Too bad. Got some interesting pics today.

I stayed the night in Nairobi, and left this morning to fly to Moshi with Karen who took the overnight flight from London. Our first look at Kilimanjaro was from the plane. Looks pretty high!

Once we landed at Kilimanjaro International Airport, we took a shuttle bus to the Springlands hotel where we will be staying tomorrow also as a "rest day" before we begin our climb tuesday morning.

After we took naps by the pool, we went for a walk along some railroad tracks past small villages of Chagga people. We seemed to be kind of celebrities walking through the villages. The adults and children would run over to wave and say "Hi" (or "Jambo" in Swahili). The children would walk with us, and at times we had up to 10 kids following us around. Cute kids, but they were not shy to ask us for our belongings: "Give me your watch." "Give me money." "Give me your shoes." I read in the Lonely Planet that they do not consider it rude to ask for things from strangers, not do they consider it rude when strangers turn them down, over and over and over and over.

Tomorrow we'll be renting bikes to explore the town of Moshi... and sort out our gear before we set off on tuesday!

Posted by msshell on June 13, 2004 01:07 PM
Category: Africa

Comments

Jambo Michelle - Good to hear things are going well. Which route are you taking on Kili, anyways?
Have a safe and fun climb - we'll all be sending plenty of oxygen-rich thoughts your way all week long to help keep you going.
Kwa heri!

Posted by: Rob M on June 14, 2004 04:51 PM

Hey Michelle!! Thanks to this wonderful blog you have created. I think by the time your travels are done (for this trip any way) we can all say we have explored the modern day pangaea.

Posted by: Bosch on June 16, 2004 11:31 AM

Michelle,

The kids in Vietnam and Cambodia do the same thing, although they asked for pens and gum and candy, not our watches or our shoes :D

Posted by: Elyse on June 16, 2004 12:40 PM

Hi Michelle,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Enjoy Kili!

Hey guess where I get to go for my first client at my new job - 2 weeks back home in Vancouver! I'm there now and planning on going surfing in Tofino this weekend.

Sorry I couldn't make it down to Ann Arbor the day before you left. Since you are skipping out on our wedding, we'll call it even.

P.S. More pics of people!

Posted by: Kynan on June 19, 2004 03:40 AM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Looking forward to hear all about your Kili climb!

Posted by: Mom on June 20, 2004 07:38 PM

hey Michelle --

How's the climb progressing? Is you... OH-KAAAAAY!!?? (now, dis wear yew 'pose da holla back: "YEAAAH-YA!!") :)

I hope you reach its apex on your birthday tomorrow; I can't wait to see pictures!

Happy B-day!!

Posted by: blakrob on June 20, 2004 09:07 PM

Happy Birthday, Michelle! I hope your climb is going well and we all can't wait to hear all about it and see your pictures. Take care of yourself!

Posted by: Susan on June 21, 2004 07:04 AM

Hey hey!! Happy Birthday. Wish you were here so we could celebrate. You're finally as old as Jeff thinks you are! Miss you!

Posted by: Sherry on June 21, 2004 07:56 AM

Don't have time right now to post a proper entry, but WE MADE IT! it was really really really hard. I have never been so exhausted. we went up the Machame Route. 7 days. originally supossed to be 8 days, but we changed it enroute. so now i'm back in Moshi on my bday! I'll post pics when i get a chance, but right now this computer is going to self distruct in 2 minutes!

Posted by: Michelle on June 21, 2004 08:01 AM

Happy Birthday and congratulations on completing the climb! Looking forward to seeing pictures.

Posted by: Mark M on June 21, 2004 08:27 AM

Birthday celebrated by a special way!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

Posted by: Tony Qu on June 21, 2004 08:35 AM

AWESOME!!! So glad to hear that you made the summit. What an accomplishment, and a day early at that! Have a wonderful birthday and enjoy your well-deserved rest.

Posted by: Rob M on June 21, 2004 09:02 AM

Michelle, Happy Birthday!!!!! Congratulations on the climb! Awesome. Wishing you all the best. Looking forward to more pics.

Posted by: sue on June 21, 2004 09:45 AM

happy birthday ms shell!!!!!

hope you're having a blast and a wonderful birthday!

safe and happy travels!!!

Posted by: brenda on June 21, 2004 09:54 AM

yo yo yo BIRRRRRRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy BIRDday!!!! how exciting!! congrats on your adventure!!!!

not to brag or anything, but while you're climbing mountains in africa, i'm sitting here staring at a computer screen all day while my butt grows big...

can't wait to hear more!! hope you're having an amazing time. thinking about you! miss you!
laters,
manali

Posted by: Manali on June 21, 2004 02:15 PM

Hi, Michelle:

Didn't realize it was your birthday, but hey, happy birthday! What an amazing adventure-- I'm in awe!

Just wanted to say hello from Iowa!

Renee

Posted by: Renee Chou on June 21, 2004 06:32 PM

Michelle, it's 6:30pm here and I'm still at work. Bet you are jealous! One of my friends at work wants to live vicariously through you, as well, so the two of us will be following your adventures. I have another strike assignment coming up this weekend (if the other union goes out), so I can't even plan a vacation yet. Wah!!!!

So, which was better, the Grand Canyon or Kilimanjaro. Did you miss Garry?

Again, wishing you the best on your B'day! I miss you!

Posted by: sue on June 21, 2004 06:52 PM

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