Travel, travel, and more travel

Monday May 24, 2010 6:50 pm - We left Winnipeg amidst big family hugs, tears, and some excitement and relief to finally be on the way. Students all let out a huge cheer as the plane left the ground. We were welcomed in Toronto with several fireworks displays all over the city (or possibly people were celebrating Victoria Day instead of our arrival, not quite sure). Mad dash through Toronto airport and got everyone on board for the next leg. Teachers have divided the students into groups to make it easier to account for everyone as we travel across the world - method seems to work great. As we leave for London, students are already starting to record in their new journals - good start.

Tuesday May 25, 2010 4:50 am (Winnipeg time), 10:50 am (London time)

Virtually impossible to sleep on an airplane, although some managed. Helpful to know that the headrests actually adjust - someone could have shared that tidbit with me long ago. Most managed at least a few catnaps and everyone is revved up for our London tour - students more so than the teachers! Surely at least one of the four teachers would be a "morning person" - apparently not!

Made it through the customs hurdle and waited for our tour. A few delays had some of our initial enthusiasm fade, but eventually got underway with the help of John, our Prince look-alike tour guide. Great lunch provided on the bus as we headed into London. Beautiful sunny day and a stop at Hyde Park made the wait worthwhile. Gorgeous scenery, amazing architecture, and knowledgeable information from almost-a-barrister John made it a thouroughly enjoyable afternoon. Saw all the "royal" highlights before heading back to Heathrow - seems much easier to sleep on the tour bus than on the airplane!

Back at Heathrow, we connect with the members of our group that left before us - and now we are at the full 29. We board the Kenya Airways for the seemingly endless journey to Nairobi. After what seems like days, we spy a brilliant African sunrise. This quickly disappears as we sink into the thick, grey cloud cover. Take a trolley bus to the terminal from the plane - somehow only I managed to get on with all students while the other 3 teachers waited for the next one. Meet up again in the airport and begin to search for our luggage and tickets to get on the final leg of our journey. A fair amount of confusion ensues which necessitates much walking back and forth (en masse) as we try to find out which gate we should be at. Also trying to track down our elusive luggage. Engarnered a few strange looks as this large crowd of crazy mizungas go one way then the other down this narrow corridor several times. Get on a very tiny plane with what we think is all our luggage and have the final hop into Kilimanjaro. First view of the mountain was indescribable - makes the whole trip worth it!

Wednesday May 26, 2010 9:00 a.m. Tanzania time (1:00 a.m. Winnipeg time)

Disembark at the tiny, gorgeous Kilimanjaro airport. Fill out somewhat complicated customes forms and have our yellow fever certificates examined. As we collect our luggage, it becomes apparent that there is nothing for Amanpreet to collect - most distressing. While we are trying to sort that out, a couple of officials attempt to impose a somewhat randomly thought out "sports" tax on our arrival since we were bringing in equipment for the schools. I left them holding my passport while I went and appealed to Japhet for assistance. During the flurry of Swahili that followed, it was decided that "this time only" they would let me through without paying the "tax."

We all pile into a bunch of jeeps to begin the trek to Karatu. The drive was made a little longer by a stop at Arusha's Impala Hotel (where we will be spending one night near the end of our trip) for some reason understood only by our drivers.

The landscape was amazing - so vast and lush! Between naps (still VERY tired), we spied a couple of giraffes (not too close - we'll do better), zebras (a bit closer), and some baboons (REAL close)!

Also stopped at Lake Manyara for a break and to take in the view of the Rift valley. Saw lots of Masai people en route - women often carrying huge loads on their heads and working very hard and, the men - not so much.

The rooms at the hostel exceeded our expectations - spacious rooms with private bathrooms. Meals have been oustanding! Apparently accomodations at the Crater Rim View are equally fine.

Jean wouldn't let us rest in the afternoon - insisted we needed to keep active and sleep that night to comba the jet lag. She took us on a one hour hike through the town. We were made to feel most welcome by friendly people who were very quick to smile as we called out "mambo!". Lots of children eager to have their pictures taken by the visitors.

We were all crashing over supper - trying not to face-plant in our soup. Sent everyone to bed early and all was quiet - for a while. Most teachers wisely went to sleep immediately, while some kids seemed to get their second wind. After about 1/2 hour of listening to what sounded like an episode of Fawlty Towers (opening and slamming doors, running feet, whispering and muffled giggles) I went out and threw everyone back in assigned rooms and took care of a few mosquito net repairs so everyone could sleep.