Moved to a more up class hotel today which was included in my kili tour. Springlands hotel is in the outskirts of Moshi and is completely isolated from the main town with its high walls and iron gate. Felt very westernised here and you can see its completely dominated by Zara Tours company, not to mention they exploit foreigners and their wads of USD.

Had time to visit an orphanage close by, called Amani House with 45 children there. The kids were not shy to say the least and knew what they wanted- sweets and chocolate!! They all swooned me with their cuteness factor and I surrendered my chocolate and pens willingly. The conditions of the orphanage was poor, which is what I expected. The kids were well clothed though. They all did a little welcome song and dance, wish I had videoed it but I was enjoying it too much to spoil the moment and reach for my camera.

Pre-climb talk followed later at the hotel which really wasn't that useful at all. My tour guide Theophil, who has too strong a handshake, tall and big built, told me to just enjoy the climb. And will brief me once the other 4 climbers join us tomorrow (I have yet to meet them, they arrive tonight). He then wrote his name in massive letters on my hand, which i have not been able to scrub off still. By that time, I was a little anxious at putting my trust into this man.

You can rent equipment from their fairly well equipped rental store, but I don't think they wash the clothes after every use. It took the man 10 minutes to shuffle through a pile of trekking poles until he presented a pair to me. He kept altering the height and kept trying to give them to me when they were at different lengths. Er...shouldn't they be both the same length? And shouldn't you know what the optimal height it is supposed to be for me? Thank god it was just trekking poles I needed, I really didn't want him to shuffle through different sleeping bags and measuring their length against my height.

My bags been packed and all the unnecessary stuff removed. It weighs less than 8kg, I am pretty proud of myself if I must say. I met a Korean couple who just finished their climb- age 63 and 65. They rock. I told the lady my bag weighs 8kg, she replied "take less". The limit is less than 15kg, but I was inspired by the Korean lady. I felt like I was getting directions from Master Miyagi, so I took more clothes out. Boy I am going to smell.

Well, I best rest up. Will post when I get back down (hopefully from the summit!).

Peace out.