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I have an overnight flight with Kenya Airways and read up in all my books about what I was about to take on by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Although I've read it all before, I do feel like I wish I had an extra day to prepare myself mentally, but time has run out and here I am. Kilimanjaro is actually two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo with the Saddle in between. Kibos last erruption was 100,000 years ago but today its still classed as a dormant active volcano. A lovely little note I'd totally forgotten though is about the translation of the work Kilimanjaro. In Swahili "Kilima" means "Small Hill" and "Njaro" means "Greatness". Fate is calling me. I do my best to get some kip on the second short flight from Nairobi, Kenya to Kilimanjaro international Airport, but I'm awoken by someones excited exclamation that they can see Mount Kilimanjaro out the window. I can see Mount Meru out my side and it looks so cute surrounded by big fluffy clouds. Kilimanjaro stands a little higher and I wonder how on earth is it possible to me to get up there? Well thats my guides job I suppose! On arrival I reach the terminal to find people purchacing Visas. Luckily I went to the embassy in London at the beginning of the month to get mine, but there doesnt seem to be a fixed rate for the price... Some people are paying 50$, others 100$, glad I dont have to haggle or worry myself with any of that. I pick up my luggage and go to the exit to find a driver and 4 other guys from the UK going on the same trip. Ed and his brother Phil, James and Andy. We all get into a minibus, (one seat is without a seatbelt!) and take the 2 hour journey to the Marangu Hotel. I have been told I might see Giraffe or Zebra here so I eagerly watch out the windows, but I dont see many wild animals at all. The road is much better than I had anticipated, however it becomes clear to me very quickly that this is a very poor place. Lots of the shacks and huts along the side of the road are primitave, There is some electricity but no real buildings to speak of. Theres lots of farms along the way and there are even sunflowers. Cows, Goats, Dogs and even a Camel but no Giraffe or Zebra. Still, I am in africa! The ladys carry big loads on their heads and are always so nicely matchingly dressed. The hotel is a welcome sight with pretty gardens and adequate rooms. The 4 poster single beds with the mosquito nets are cute and there is a sit down toilet, running water and electricity. Our equiptment is checked by an old lady called Dora (like the explorer!) and then repacked. After a quick walk round the premises I discover the bar (which has exceedingly slow Wifi) with Andy and we get the others and have some lunch together and have a chat. Kilimanjaro Beer and Kilimanjaro water are served here and we sample. (Just the water for me though) Then comes our briefing. We have been waiting for the rest of the party to arrive for this, but were still a man short. There are ten of us at the briefing and I meet Katherine, a doctor on a long break and her father John an architect from New Zealand, my roomate Eugenia from Hong Kong, Sophie, a nurse in training also from the uk, but in between volonteering projects, and Tara a teacher from Australia. Seamus who co-owns the hotel, a man in his 60s who was born in Tanzania but brought up in the UK talks us through the day by days itinerary and is totally honest about everything you might be feeling as each day goes. It is a realisation for most of us that this is it, time to go for it. I think I havent packed enough chocolate and didnt consider that opening a packet might be harder up a mountain with less energy and big gloves on. I buy 2 Kitkats from the bar. The day has been pretty gloomy weather wise and there has been absolutley no sign of the Mountain at all through the clouds, except for this mornings earlier glance across the cabin out the window of the airplane. The sun has set and we make our way to dinner, soup, pate, roast dinner and even lemon meringue pie! We are all sat together at dinner which gives us a chance to get to know each other and its a really lovely group of people. No one seems to be of super fit "race you to the top" mentality, which is a relief. I would no doubt be the one at the back in that senario! Its winter here and is definately colder than I thought it would be, the sun sets at bout 7.30 and sunrise is about 6.30 each day here which means more time in the cold night. I wear my thermals to bed, mostly because I know these will be my pajamas anyway up the mountain. I'm excited about tomorrow, but also quite tired so I sleep well. :)
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