The Other Side of Kili

As I write this, we are in the midst of our first technical malfunction of the trip. Our land cruiser (constructed circa 1970) broke down on the way to the Ngorogoro crater today and we have been dropped at a "campsite" to wait while a "mechanic" fixes it. I have no idea how long this will take, but after breaking down for almost 8 hours in the middle of the dessert in Senegal last year, this doesn't seem so bad yet. We have plenty of food and water, and it is a perfect 70 degrees out. Worse things could have happened (knock on wood).

Yesterday we had a much needed day of rest after the Kili climb. After a shower and 8 hours of sleep in an actual bed, I felt like a new person. My stomach also recovered nicely since I was able to not only keep down but actually enjoy our lunch, which was an overly well-done burger with a fried egg on it. (Yes, I know how that sounds, but I hadn't eaten much the previous 24 hours.)

We spent the afternoon exploring the Marangu village at the base of Kili. It is also the starting point for one of the popular routes to the top (nicknamed the "Coca Cola" route since trekkers stay in huts on the way up and can purchase Coke and beer). After wishing luck to the trekkers about to start the climb, we let a local boy lead us through his village. We walked through the fields where they grew bananas, beans, coffee, cassava, avocado, sugar cane, and several other crops. With a crew of kids following our every move, the boy also led our group to a decent-sized waterfall fed by one of Kili's glaciers. It was a perfect day of rest in between the climb and the safari.

Assuming the car gets fixed at some point, we are all excited to start seeing some animals. Personally, I am hoping to see a (herd?) of elephants (giraffes and lions a close second and third). Sam wants to see a show of zebra and wildebeest at the watering hole. At this point, Jared, the ever cynical one, just wants to see any animal that is not a donkey, cow, or chicken.

Stay tuned, and, as always, thanks to Mom for posting since I am clearly in the middle of nowhere off a dirt road. Thankfully, wireless infrastructure has yet to fail.