Day 1 : One Team One Dream

Kili Babes get picked up

Day 1: The toilet has a gecko in it. I don’t want to go in there, so I choose to use the one beside the pool, which requires me to leave the room in my pyjamas and run. At least I could brush my teeth in the room because the washbasin was located away and outside the toilet. I manage to get in a quick shower after using the garden toilet and before the other two and another partner gecko decides to enter. We concocted many tales about this, even imagining what might occur if one of us pooped on the creature’s head! The colours would converge, so you wouldn’t be able to distinguish him.

I assume that this little individual stayed for a while and likely hid in that nook next to his private pool to amuse and entertain the next family. I didn’t even risk taking a look at the monster.

With the exception of the sleeping bag and his SECOND PAIR OF WATERPROOF SHOES (for evening loungewear and a spare…just in case …and btw it was on our list), Sid is able to fit everything inside his backpack. He leaves the SHOES behind and takes beach Fitflops(chappals as Indians would call them) instead! First and probably the only person taking chappals on a climbing expedition. But maybe was a good idea to air those toes? We will have to wait and see!

At 8:45, Simon and Enock come to pick us up, and they begin loading our belongings into the van. Regarding the sleeping bag and not being in the backpack, they were awesome. It was carried separately! We are greeted and cheered by guests and hotel staff. We feel incredibly important because it’s such a BIG DEAL! At this point, 1.5L of water was given to us to drink. I did okay, and Sid’s went in slowly, but Trish drank it all up!

We stopped to pick up more members of our team, and tons of our belongings were moved to the van’s roof. We made a quick stop at a store to buy last-minute supplies. We probably didn’t have anything to purchase. One local guy sold me wristbands, and mine said, “Pole Pole”!

The 18-person team arrived, and we made another stop to pick up Sophie and Maya, two Copenhagen-based girls. We seemed to get along well, and yes, we were a team with a common goal.

ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM

It was inspiring to see everyone so ecstatic and happy as they all sang. We joined in with the song and dance and couldn’t help but smile.

Yuma (pronounce Juma) had his grey hoodie over his head and was sleeping during the entire party on the bus. He is incredibly important to this journey. Every morning, we are greeted first by Yuma’s shy but happy face and he would bring us hot tea and the famous Washy Washy bowl.