The Teachings of a Trip to Tanzania
- Feb 6, 2023
- 4 min read
January 2023 Review
Contents
Most Memorable Memory
Things I am Grateful I Packed
Things I Wished I Knew
Advice if you are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro
Snapshots
Most Memorable Memory
The climb to the base camp on Kilimanjaro was very challenging. We went through all four seasons.
We went from the drenching humidity to the piercing frozen winds. At the end of it, my body was exhausted. I started to see black dots. My stomach was rejecting everything, even water, so along the way I was just throwing up nonstop. The guides were very kind and allowed me to just slowly walk up the mountain with them while the group went on. The guides kept saying “pole pole” which means slowly, slowly. They kept telling me that it was all mental. That I just needed to keep pushing on to reach the base camp. I was three hours away and they kept cheering me on even though I wanted to give up and my body just wanted to stop. But I kept reminding myself that I spent way too much money not to succeed lol. But also that they were right. It was very mental even though physically my body hated me. If you just keep a positive mindset, you can conquer anything. So eventually, I made it to the base camp! So excited and thrilled to just rest! But this is not the end of the story.
Once I found my tent, I was out like a light bulb. But I was soon awakened by the horrific bright light of a porter. He told me that we have to start hiking at this instant. I was so sick of the idea of hiking. I did not want to hike anymore but I could not just stay there. So I got out of the tent, welcomed by the starry sky. I was so confused why it was so dark outside. I asked the time and he informed me that it was midnight. Angry at the moon and frustrated by the rocks, I kept walking. At first, I felt fine but then the altitude sickness kicked in. My head was throbbing, my heart felt squished, and my stomach was just tearing in anger. The guides told me that I need to let the group go on and just walk at my own pace. I refused the idea. I tried so hard to keep up but after a certain point I had to sit down and sit out.
I stayed gripping on this pointy rock. The porters thought it was funny because I was literally hugging it. In my mind though, I was grasping onto it for dear life. I prayed and begged and pleaded for this trip to be over. The porters got to a point where they asked if I wanted to turn back around because I was so sick. But again, I was stubborn and kept telling them “I got this” while hugging a rock. I finally let go of the rock and tried to walk. I walked for about five minutes and found a new rock to hug.
At this point, I did not think I could do it. My legs were done. My stomach rejected any and all liquid I tried to swallow. I closed my eyes praying for strength and a sign to keep going. I just wanted to call my mom to hear her voice of comfort. This was the lowest point of my journey. I was ready to give up. But all of a sudden, the sun started to peek out from the darkness. The bright colors of orange and red reminded me of my mom and how she always loved the sunrise. I knew at that moment I could not give up. My mom was there with me taking away all the darkness and pain that I was feeling. She gave me strength and hope to continue on.
I forgot all about my aching body and used my mental strength to just keep on walking even if it was just the tiniest of steps. I kept reminding myself that my mom was there telling me “oh it’s just overhill, you are almost there”. I believed so heartedly that after each small hill we got over, I was almost there.
After so many tricks on my mind, it refused to believe me. But I was not giving up. The porters at one point held me up and helped me walk because I was so weak I was practically crawling just trying to get up the mountain.
After 4 hours of literally hugging rocks, praying, crawling, and throwing up- I finally made it! I could barely see and my body just wanted to plop over. But one member from our group ran towards me jumping with excitement. She was so full of love. This complete stranger- a person I literally met five days ago was filled with energy and happiness for my arrival. She screamed to others that I had arrived but no one cared they were exhausted as well. But that did not stop her from cheering me on. She greeted me with the biggest hug I have ever felt. The warmth of the embrace was so large it was as though two people were hugging me. It felt as if my mother was hugging me through her. This moment was everything for me. I truly have never in all my life seen someone so happy for someone else’s success. It was the purest thing I had ever seen and felt.
I asked her why she was so excited for me and my arrival. And she informed me that the other guides told everyone I would not make it to summit. She said when she saw me it was like a miracle and she was so thrilled to see me. I was speechless. Not because they told everyone I would not summit (I personally did not think I could do it), but because she hardly knew me. She was the only one genuinely thrilled for me. The summit itself was underwhelming but her genuine love for me was overwhelming. She made the journey for me worth it.
After the trip was done, I could happily say in the wise words of Taylor Swift I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this. And I would do it again, just feel the most authentic happiness from a stranger I have ever felt.
Tips
Things I am Grateful I packed
*Two Microfiber towels- full body size (very light and perfect to have for the beach or hostels that do not have towels)
*Shower Shoes (flip flops - honestly perfect for everyday wear as well)
*Tevas/Chacos (I wore these religiously)
*Travel Adapter (On Amazon, it has one that has them all- highly recommend some hostels are different than the outlets that are in common areas)
*Light Rain Coat
*Hanging Toiletry Bag with a small mirror
*Athletic shorts
*Headphones
*AirTags - ease parents minds but also helps find your luggage if the airport loses it
*Portable Charger - at least 20,000 mAh and multiple ports ( I have 25,000 mAh lasted my entire hike up the mountain)
*GoPro - the size is perfect for traveling and the pictures are incredible
Things I Wish I Knew
* Bring something to occupy you when there is a resting day on your travels - a book if you love to read, a deck of cards if you love to socialize, or even download a movie (maybe have a movie night with your fellow travelers)
* Bring Chapstick! I totally forgot about how important it is!
* Bring a water bottle that will keep drinks cold (especially when you are going to countries that you should only drink bottled water with no ice)
* Bring a sweatshirt (perfect loungewear to keep you warm at night or on long bus trips)
* Don't forget to journal and take lots of photos so that you never forget the little moments of your trip. Time passes fast and the smallest moments are the ones that bring the most joy.
If you climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, here is specific advice for that:
* Bring hand warmers, body warmers, and toe warmers. A variety pack can be found at Academy or Dick’s. They are lifesavers when you are at the coldest parts of your journey, especially sleeping in the freezing tents.
* Bring crocs! You will definitely want to take off your hiking boots, so any easy to slip on shoes that allow socks in them is great!
* The tips for the porters and guides will be expensive. I would say bring a minimum of 300 usd cash. Lots of places prefer usd in Tanzania but they can also do shillings. It is just harder to find atms that your bank will take as well as atms that are full (most become empty by noon). (if you are also planning to do the safari that will be at least 150 usd cash for just tips)
* Ask your doctor about altitude medicine. You will need it, trust me.
* Bring pepto bismol, your stomach will react to the foods differently.
* Bring two headlamps just in case one of them runs out of battery or breaks. You can also use the one light as a hanging light in your tent and the other can be one for when you need to leave the tent to go to the restroom.
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