Following the flights to Mogadishu, Maputu and Harare, at last we are boarded for Kilimanjaro…. Precision Airlines.. reminiscent of many flights between Presque Isle and Boston.  Interestingly, all but one passenger aboard are muzungu…. based upon my eavesdropping, they are from Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, USA, China.  The only man who appears to be from Africa is seated ahead of me.  I find through casual conversation as we observe the breathtaking sights of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru from the air, that he is from Uganda.  The flight is a short one, less than an hour.  We land, mercifully, uneventfully in Kilimanjaro International Airport, at last.  IT IS SO INCREDIBLY HOT, it almost takes my breath away.  Documents, baggage in the airport.. details.  My host, Alfred (whom I’ve never met) is waiting for me with a sign. “Are you Shirley?  Are you Shirley?” he asks.  Handsome, late 20s-early 30s, radiant smile, shining ebony cheeks, wearing a sunshine yellow polo shirt, Alfred helps me with my baggage and we go to the car.

The drive from airport to the edge of Moshi is approximately 45 minutes.  I am transfixed with the sights and smells surrounding me.  Alfred ensures that I put on my seat belt. We arrive at what appears to be a tract home, ala Tanzania.  There are three bedrooms, an adjoining dining/sitting room, a refrigerator with back up generator.  My room is meticulously clean and simple:   a bed, a table, a mosquito net, a closet to store my belongings.  I am home, at last.

Alfred introduces me to Emmanuel who  has prepared boiled water for my coffee.  We dine together midday on purple fruit (similar to grapes but without seeds and they grow on trees, I think), and sandwiches on white bread with my almond butter and dates that I have brought in my baggage.  I am incredibly happy and content.

Given the heat and time changes, I am exhausted beyond measure.  I attempt to sleep without success.  It is oppressively hot.  I calm myself with meditation.   The sky alights with an electrical storm of enormous magnitude and I feel the energy deep inside of myself.  Losing all  orientation to global time and space, I finally slumber deeply for some time.  I awaken to hammering sounds in the extra bedroom.  A cute little boy and an adult male are taking a bed apart.  I figure out the shower….. sort of.  I sort my clothes, food, gifts and begin to orient myself to the tasks of my journey.