1) Leaving the jobs at which we have worked for 5 years
2) Boxing up our lives and storing it in San Francisco
3) Surfing our friends' couches for a couple weeks
4) Visiting family and friends in Denver,which for Jeremy included a fourth annual guys trip to Utah
Everything looked good, however with all of our international trips, misadventures always lurk around every corner. Seconds after Jeremy's dad drove away from us at the United departure stand, we realized that Jeremy's favorite hiking pants (with zip off legs to make shorts) were still in the backseat of his dad's car. And unfortunately, Jeremy's dad doesn't carry a cell phone. (Side bar: my dad does carry a cell phone, but he never turns it on... So similar are our fathers!) Sadly, after waiting for a while to see if Jeremy's dad will notice the shorts in the car, we accept our loss.
Loss #2 was quick to declare herself, as upon checking into our flight we learned it would be 3 hours delayed. At least when we did get to finally board our flight we were in First Class. Only we were in the last row, so when the flight attendant got to us with lunch orders, we had to take the salads, which I frankly hate on account of the most voluminous ingredient, iceberg lettuce. Loss #3!
We did eventually arrive in DC and spent a quick night at an airport hotel. Then bright and early, we were back on a plane (Ethiopian Airlines) heading for Addis Ababa, our connecting city prior to our final destination, Kilimanjaro International Airport. I must say, 15+ hours in Ethiopian Economy was just as good - if not better than - our Denver-DC flight in United First Class. Tasty food, free wine, our own movie selection. I am still perplexed why the US-based airlines have so much trouble getting it right...
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro, we were greeted by two Tanzanian men, both of whom were named Goodluck. (And yes, I was beginning to feel that our fortunes were chaining for the better - no more misadventures!) Goodluck #1 would be our guide on the mountain for the next week; Goodluck #2 would be our driver to and from Moshi.
We packed our things into the Landrover and headed to Moshi. Goodluck #1 narrated as we drove about an hour into town, past small farms, large markets, and many women and children walking along the highway with large baskets of vegetables, fruits, and grains balanced on their heads. Colorful clothes, packed busses, and many motorbikes. There was certainly much to take in, and I'll be honest, a bit of culture shock to overcome. However, knowing we had a big day in store for us the following morning, we eagerly climbed into bed and under our mosquito nets to get to sleep. Mount Kikimanjaro awaits!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Moshi, Tanzania
1 comment:
Hey - I resemble that remark. LOL Actually, my cell phone is on 24 hours a day -- but it is usually sitting in my car. It is MY CAR PHONE. The only time I carry it is when I am away from home - say on a golf trip, or down the shore, etc. Since I work at home, I am sitting next to my home phone (which you don't have) and don't need to have my cell phone with me. Love, Dad
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