Mambo Poa from Tanzania! The news is good! After a posh breakfast and a few slight delays (Message to Austin- Owen sans phone, eaten by lions) we spent most of the day on a drive to our camp site in Ngorongoro crater conservation area. During the tour we had lessons in trees, zebras, and Swahili. Most gratifying was learning about the very bright and beautiful Masai tribe. The Masai have all the beauty and splendor of Africa. Elaborately beaded jewelry, vibrant clothing- I felt as if I’d stepped into a 1970’s National Geographic.

I joined the adventurous by partaking in the freshly roasted goat, as the vegetarians eyed in awe, disgust, or jealousy. We were tested by the anatomy quiz from intestines to femur, and shown the roots and tools for making soup, traditionally. The dancing soon began and we quickly shuffled out of the way as the warriors pointed sharpened spears through our ranks. Then we jumped, sang, and played. A few LHS women were decorated and danced with the young girls. All smiled. A few adjectives we used to try to explain the evening; unbelievable, special, sublime, surreal, so real, powerful, unifying, insane.

Words can only hint at the love and gratitude that we have experienced and shared with so many here in Tanzania. I continue to have my jaw hit the floor and my heart expand a little bit further.
Tonana Badai Rafiki
Molly Silverman and the LHS Kili Summit team
October 7, 2009
Rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
7,800 feet

PS. True, I cant wait to see you! Love love love and a big thanks to Salina Brian Pop and all my wonderful friends and family. Nina penda Africa!!!! I love it and will be changed for life.
Sincerely, gratefully and with joy - m

Notes from camp: None tonight, Shannon is officially speechless.

Quote of the day: Tonight we are sitting under the African stars, atop the ridge of the birth of mankind, around the campfire, with four guitars, tambourines and 7 of the most talented musicians you have ever heard…Kay LiCausi, who 2 days ago was hugging a cliff wall and crying like a baby, announces: “I would hike Kilimanjaro again if it meant I got to have this night over again”.

 

Click on the yellow flags to see where the team is today!