September 2010

September 2010
I think often of my trip to Africa this past August. The images that are most persistent are the long days spent hiking in the thin air of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The majestic, sweeping views as we ascended the mountain linger in my mind. The final steps to the highest point in Africa will forever remain with me.

The images of the various animals eating, sleeping and hunting on the Serengetti plains of northern Tanzania remain fixed in my memory. It was a journey that will generate a lifetime of stories and colorful images, sounds and tastes. The urge to return is already there and will hopefully be satiated in the future at some point.

I've posted some pics from Tanzania and will share some future travel plans as they emerge...

cheers...

July 31, 2010--Moshi, Tanzania

Finally landed this morning early after a long flight with two stops in Germany and Ethiopa. I arrived at my hotel around 5 in the morning completely spent, but feel a bit revived now after a few hours sleep. It's mid-afternoon on Saturday and I'm relaxing today before I set out with my hiking party for Kiliminjaro tomorrow morning.

First impressions upon leaving airport doors was the stillness and relative coolness that the middle of the night brought. Piled into a minivan with several other Europeans to the hotel. It was a slow, one hour journey over broken pavement and dirt covered lanes. The hotel is situated outside of the town of Moshi, Tanzania and is a walled compound that stands in stark contrast to life outside its walls. I walked a bit on the dusty street in front and it's vintage rural Africa with a wide dusty dirt road with occasional motor bikes buzzing by and African women and children walking in their colorful garb.

I can't post pics at the moment and will be out of contact for the next week as I attempt my summit bid. Will share lots of stories and pics upon my return. Feels great to finally be in Africa...would love to venture beyond Kilimanjaro one day and explore some neighboring towns and countries. Life is good...

Final countdown to Africa

Final countdown to Africa
I'm spending my final day stuffing my backpack and checking my gear list for my Kilimanjaro climb. As departure nears, I feel so fortunate to be making this journey to raise funds for such a worthy cause. It's hard to grasp that I will soon be able to add Africa to my growing list of continents visited. With Tanzania, the count will rise to four and I hope to make it to all seven before I expire...yes, Antartica will prove the most challenging, but that's what life is all about, right?

Spent some quality hours with my nieces Jamie, Emma and Jessica the past few days and it was great...they are lucky to have such a relaxing summer playground in Ocean Grove.

I'm halfway through my latest novel by Linda Greenslaw (sp?) It details her many adventures as a female swordboat captain in New England. I can relate to her adventurous spirit and while I have never hooked a formidable swordfish, her passion to sail beyond the horizon and seek that next adrenaline rush is a motivation I can relate to.

I'll try to post from Africa, but it may not be possible...not sure of the facilities at the hotel I'm staying at in Moshi. Anyway, I'll have some exciting yarns to share upon my return...

Cheers,
Keith

July 2010--reading and preparing

My upcoming trip to Tanzania is quickly approaching. I have a scant few weeks left to run, hike and get my body into shape for the strenuous hike to the 19,340-ft summit. I've had my yellow fever, typhoid and Hep. A. shots which should protect me against most of the threats that sub-subharahan Africa poses.

Otherwise, I'm enjoying the summer--just finished "Death be Not Proud"--a moving memoir by John Gunther about his late son's noble battle with brain cancer. I'm now moving on to Bernard Malamud's The Natural--one of the classic American novels that has escaped my reading list--until now.

cheers,

Keith

Africa beckons...

All is set for my July 29 departure for Tanzania. To prepare for my Kilimanjaro summit bid, I've been primarily running, but will soon add some modest hikes in hilly terrain to the mix. The fundraising has recently hit $600 and I hope that it continues to rise. I've been pondering my trip daily and the mountain's altitude is the predominant reality that most occupies my thoughts. By all accounts that I've read, its effects cannot be predicted and can halt the efforts of even the most physically fit. I bought Diamox, which is a prescription drug that is supposed to mitigate the effects of high altitude sickness. I hope that I don't have to use it.

I'll be stopping in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia briefly prior to arriving in Tanzania. I wish that I could spend more time exploring that troubled country...shedding my tourist garb and mixing with the locals for a few days...perhaps a future visit will allow for more exploration of some of the continent's more remote and less travelled corners.

Otherwise, two weeks remain in the school year and my jubiliation at the prospect of a two month stretch of vacation can hardly be contained. Its surpassed, perhaps, only by my students more obvious signs of giddiness...

The sun is shining, the temps are rising and the calendar will soon surrender its two most treasured months...

Cheers,

Keith

Africa--July 2010

This year is shaping up to be a good one. I purchased a condo to usher in the new year and my travel plans for this summer include an ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro and a safari in the Serengeti. Still trying to convince any hardy souls to join my trip. A few are mulling it over.

Kilimanjaro's 19,300 ft. summit will prove the biggest challenge. The thin air and 8-day hike up the mountain will test my physical and mental endurance. It's been a dream of mine since I first set eyes on pics of the white behemoth. Hemingway immortalized it in his fiction. I hope to eliminate it from my bucket list while testing the limits of my 40-year old body...

Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to developments.

Cheers,

Keith

Happy New Year!! Opening reflections on possible destinations for 2010

I'm thinking about a trip to South America this summer and Chile, Peru and Ecuador top my list of destinations. Any thoughts??