Jambo!

Day 1, June 25:

Jambo!  Day 1 was spectacular! We started off the morning by eating a breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, crepe-ish pancakes (?), toast, and fresh juice. After some games, we headed off to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. Though we were intending to make it to the summit, after 45 minutes we stopped for lunch at a beautiful gorge and then turned back to the trailhead. As the clouds cleared off the mountain and its surroundings, we all were able to fully appreciate the beauty of Tanzania. Next we made the long bus journey back to the lodge, bouncing along the dirt roads and experiencing the harsh jetlag. At the end of the journey, we passed some Tanzanians playing soccer in an open field with Mt. Kili positioned perfectly as a backdrop. With ruts and ditches everywhere and two giant sticks marking the goals, the field was very unlike the well-maintained fields at Ensworth. Naturally, we had to challenge them to a game. While we were outmatched in athleticism and skill, a strong American defense proved to hold its own.

Final score: 0-0.

We ended the night by being served endless amounts of food by the kindhearted, hospitable Mt. Kili Lodge staff. The food was so fresh, coming from local farmers. It was a perfect ending to a great first day.

Lala salama (Sleep Well),

            Tim and Ashley