The Snows of Kilimanjaro

They have been written about by everyone from Ernest Hemingway to the lyrics of Toto's Africa. Some people say that by 2025, the snows at the summit may be all but gone . .. the snow seems already considerably less than it shows in the pictures of my guidebooks . .. but maybe it's just the time of year. No doubt, pollution, population, and climate change will have their effects on the most beautiful places on our Dunia, or earth, but we'll have to do what we can to lessen those effects. The problem is, that the developing world only wants what we have- light, electricity, television, computers . . . and we want what we already have and still wish to conserve our planet.
So, the question is, do we all have to regress and live as the "third world" does in order to save our planet, or do we eventually all move to Scandinavian countries and subsist on bio-manufactured foods . .. hmmm. All I know is, right now, i hear all about the "climate crisis" on the BBC or VOA stations of my shortwave radio. I feel kind of like an outsider looking in . .. living without electricity or running water on a daily basis (but obviously, i still have access a few hours away or i wouldn't be writing this now) and without choice, having to walk, bike, or take public transport. My carbon footprint is considerably less since last year . .. umm, except for those three plane rides it took to get here.
Either way, I still pine for the creature comforts of home- movies, ipods, computers, driving with the windows down on a four lane highway . .. those things, once instilled, are hard to shake. But, at the same time, i'm happy to say I have seen the snows on the peak of Kilimanjaro, and hope to climb it in november . . . but i dont' know if my kids or grandkids will be able to see them . . . except for in some old, fuzzy photographs . . .

I was in Moshi, a town which sits at the foot of Mt. Kili, to run my first half-marathon. It was not without difficulty . .. and i will say that I completed it, but emphasis on completed. i ran most of it, but walked a little on the rough parts or when the downhill half gave me killer shin-splints. I wasn't able to move for a few hours afterwards . . . but i'm happy to say i've done it. Maybe next year, with some more training, i can run the entire thing. and still be able to walk afterwards ;)

Upon return to my village, i hit another rough patch since my last kitten "pili-pili" or pepper, was missing, and hasn't turned up since. i miss the crap out of that cat . .. and to think i used to consider myself "not a cat person" before i came to this country. And then, i became not only that woman who talks about her cats constantly . .. but also takes hundreds of pictures of them.

Things looked up as I began my compost lessons and bustani kwa maisha bora, or garden for a better life demo gardens. I have posted one picture on this blog of some of my fellow PLWHA group members and orphan girls' group members in -action. The compost and garden took a total of four days to complete, but it was well worth it to see my villagers involved in something that will benefit them not only nutritionally, but also, to change their beliefs in thinking that crops can only grow better with expensive, chemical fertilizers. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the rains keep up and let our vegetables grow!

I have also resumed teaching English at the primary school and will begin health and life skills lessons this monday. These lessons are not without difficulty (upon the students' shyness and inability to ask questions when they don't understand, and the teachers' apathetic approach to their incomprehension. I will try my best, but all in all, it's worth it just to get more involved in my village and to gain the trust of the children and village leaders.

On a side note, i'm happy to announce that i'm the proud mama of a new mbwa (or dog). I'm in complete puppy love! She is adorable! I've named her Luna Nyota Lalli. Luna- Italian for moon, and Nyota- Swahili for star. You could say it's a bit of a "hippie" name . .. but hey, i'm in the Peace Corps afterall ;) I think she's going to bring me a lot of joy and relieve a little loneliness in the village.