When we hike it is single file with Cobra in the lead and Ben at the back. We stop frequently to drink, and when we go through a tough part we cheer everyone through.
The crew is incredibly encouraging and always cheer us on. I do not get the feeling that they are doing it because we are clients- I think they truly want us to succeed and really enjoy their work. At night after we have dinner and go to our tents, the crew go in the mess tent and play games and laugh and have a lot of fun.
When we start our hikes for the day we usually get a little way on when the porters (carrying 2 to 3 times as much stuff) fly past us. We all call out Jambo (hello) or asante (thanks). When our porter Kshue goes by he high fives us. Not to be a stereotypical white girl, but the first time we did this it took 3 tries before I contacted his hand. We have a very complicated Peace and Love high five going now. When Sigi or Gotfried catch up to us, we sing Hakuna Matata together.
The meals:
Every morning we typically get hot beverages and a porridge (corn or oats) plus toast, pancakes or french toast or crepes, and always sliced fresh fruit (pineapples, mangoes, oranges). Lunch is usually started with a nice hot soup. It is always a thin soup that is clearly meant for hydration, but always delicious. We've had zucchini soup, ginger tomato soup, onion soups plus more. The we have bread and cheese and vegies to make sandwiches, sometimes a salami of unknown origins, sliced fresh fruit again. Today we are clearly piling on the calories for a cold night and a tough climb tomorrow- we had meat empanadas. We usually have tea and snacks at 5pm. Popcorn is served.
Dinners have been amazing to the point that we are cheering the chef and cooks when they pass us on the trail. It always starts with a nice hot thin soup, and hot beverages. Our entrees have included tilapia and fries, pasta and marinara with rolled eggplant and garlic bread, rice with chicken and peanut sauce, beef pilau. Always dessert like banana fritters with custard cream, brownies, cookies, carrot cake.
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Seriously! This sounds AMAZING! Hakuna Matata (No Worries!)
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying the details about the daily routines. You are definitely eating better than I am! It must add immeasurably to your enjoyment to truly like the people you are with. I'm guessing the porters have done the trek so many times, they are able to do the hikes easily? It seems like the altitude would still be an issue for them, since they don't live at those heights.
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