One week count down before Farouk and I arrive in Nairobi. I am sitting in a beautiful home in Muskoka - “cottage country” just north of Toronto. I am looking at Lake Joseph in the early morning. It is grey outside and feels like fall has finally descended upon us. The deciduous trees have just started to change colour. As I sit here with a warm cup of tea I really can’t help but wonder what views we will be looking at when we are on the mountain with a warm cup of chai in hand as the morning mist rises. What will the smells be like, will the air be warm, heavy, cold, refreshing? Probably all of the above!
As we prepare for this trip people keep asking what we are doing. To be honest we are both trying to stay healthy. Unfortunately, I have come down with a brutal stomach virus. It is taking it’s time leaving me – hopefully it will be gone before thanksgiving dinner! I find it a bit ironic that Farouk’s mom, who came to my rescue on Friday night, kept on saying “this is like malaria!” Well let me tell you – I am going to do my best to avoid it! Farouk meanwhile is in Germany on a Canada-Germany exchange for young leaders. He is having a breath of experiences there with 24 other Canadians and Germans from serving hot lunches at a homeless shelter to visiting car factories and learning about business opportunities.
Other than trying to stay healthy we are maintaining our regular lifestyle. I continue to run, bike, swim (except for this past week) and Farouk continues to do whatever he can as he is on the go. Physically, I believe that the hike, while a significant challenge, will be ok. It’s the lack of air that scares me. John, of Team Kilimanjaro assures me though that if we take it slow, we will make it to the top. Slow is a hard concept for me but I am absolutely going to learn the true meaning of it on this mountain!
Packing is the other challenge that one encounters while doing this adventure. How do you prepare for tropical heat to glacial temperatures? Layering as any true Canadian knows. We are ready for that with 6 different layers to take us through the different climates. Although we have managed to prepare for this trip without buying a whole new wardrobe there were a few cool things we picked up… One was a thermal case for my nalgene bottle so on those cold days you can have a warm drink! For Farouk I am not sure whether it was the chocolate covered coffee beans that I found or his new merino wool shirt – or maybe those are my other favorite purchases! In any case we are ready!
So today, if my stomach will cooperate it is a hike with my best friend Carolyn in Muskoka. I will be sure to capture the sounds and start learning to take it slow… and just enjoy.
Will write again when I arrive in Nairobi – thanks for your support and we have a ways to go before $3000 so remember every little bit helps!
Warmly, Tenille
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