I am so glad we did that, because during lunch time I felt quite unwell and very tired. My head was heavy and I couldn't even eat in the dining tent, because for some reason it made me feel dizzy. I took my chair and plate out and was able to finish eating...
As the altitude was decreasing, the heaviness in my head was rapidly going away too. Therefore when we approached the camp I already felt so much better!
The guides said that tonight is going to be a very cold night and I am wearing leggins, fleece pants, ski pants, 2 pairs of wool socks, 3 upper layers and a soft-shell jacket as well as a down jacket on top! I don't remember sleeping like this ever in my life. I guess there is a first time for everything:) Oh, and by the way, I am also sleeping in a sleeping bag inside a tent:) I usually get cold very easily and have to put on a ridiculous amount of clothes to keep me warm. Having grown up and lived in Russia most of my life, I never got used to the cold and never liked it. But now it doesn't really bother me. Nothing bothers me here. Including not being able to take a shower for 3 days already:) Attitude can be anything I choose it to be.
This morning we saw some really nice views of Kilimanjaro. It did look like a giant killer whale again, dark grey, almost black with stripes of white.
Then it disappeared for the whole day. Just a little while ago, before going to the tent we saw a veil of mist slowly vanish revealing a beautiful lady of a mountain basking in the light of numerous stars. It felt as if she was observing us, rather than us looking at her. She was silent, very graceful, peaceful and still. I felt almost maternal warmth coming from her...
Why did you want me to come and climb you?
My face is tingling right now because of Diamox. It tingled most of the day together with palms and feet. I drink plenty of water, especially in the morning and in the evening. We have to drink at least 1 gal (about 3 liters) a day.
I've been really happy for the past several days, since I came to Tanzania and started climbing the mountain. I didn't feel afraid, nervous or worried even for a moment. It all seems very natural to me, despite the fact that I cannot say I am an outdoorsy person. I enjoy to be surrounded by very nice people here. My group is fantastic and the guides, porters, cooks and everyone else are sweet and kind. I also like that everything is taken care of, each day is planned and there is no confusion about what to do or where to go. I have a warm feeling of belonging, being a part of a group and responsible only for doing what everybody else is doing. In other words, there is no real responsibility like you encounter in real life and all major choices are already made for you, so you just go along with them. It seems much easier to make the steps created and planned for you by someone else! It reminds me of being a child and my parents guiding me along the path of life and taking care of me...
It's quite expensive to climb Kilimanjaro, but while you are climbing it, money ceases to exist. You don't have it on you and you don't even think about it. At the same time you have everything you need. It's so beautiful to be happy with what you have without waiting for anything else to make you happier. Why cannot we always be so satisfied with our lives?
I guess, there is no need to know right now, why I am climbing Kilimanjaro. I think it will be revealed to me in its own time. But I am definitely delighted to be doing this and I am enjoying every step I make!
Tomorrow is another beautiful day and it's supposed to be quite an easy one with hiking for only 4-5 hours.
I am about to go to sleep, even though it's still sort of early. I can already hear the wind outside getting stronger. It promises to be a very cold night - I am going to embrace it anyway. It's the night I have and I wouldn't trade it for another! I am also curious if the pile of clothes covering my body will be any good:)
Also, I think I am starting to fall in love with Mount Kilimanjaro...
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