EPILOGUE

We spent the morning of our last day in Tanzania wandering around Moshi with Julio, buying t-shirts and caps and other assorted souvenirs to take home.  It was warm and sunny in Moshi, and we ran into Abdallah and one of the porters (Cornel), who were both in town too.  On the way back to Weru Weru we bid Julio a final farewell after dropping him off at the Ahsante office.  After lunch and a beer at the lodge we left for the airport.  Our flight back was just like the one in, long and tiring, but entirely uneventful.  From the window of the plane on the way to Addis Ababa I took one last picture of Kilimanjaro as it lifted its head up through the clouds.  It was a strange feeling thinking about the fact that we’d been standing there just a couple of days back!

Last view from window of plane

So in the end, what are my final thoughts? When people ask if it was fun, I certainly can’t say it that was. It was definitely not something that I would classify as an “enjoyable” experience. I mean, what could possibly be enjoyable about being damp and cold and sweaty and achy and smelly for a whole week?  And to answer another question I keep getting asked – NO, I’d never consider doing it again!  

On the other hand, on the mountain we got to see an absolutely amazing range of absolutely stunning manifestations of Mother Nature – something I could never have experienced anywhere else.  The crew that went with us couldn’t have been nicer, and it was wonderful to get to know them and a little bit about their culture.  And of course, nothing can compare with the feeling of accomplishment at the end after having successfully made it to the top (with absolutely no significant problems, I might add). I guess I understood how a triathlete or a marathoner might feel at the end of a race – nobody could possibly enjoy punishing one’s body for miles on end but it has to feel great to successfully complete it!

And lastly, I have to give thanks to my companion on the trip. I could not have asked for a nicer person than Don to share this adventure with.  As I commented to him on the last day, I was totally impressed by the fact that despite all the discomforts and hassles, and despite being cooped up together every night in the same tiny, smelly enclosure, we had never once had an argument - not even a minor disagreement of any kind.  We’re both pretty easygoing by nature, but that to me is still a rather amazing accomplishment.  

And to anyone contemplating a climb up Kilimanjaro, check out my amateur's primer for some tips.  And then just do it, polepole!!!