I’ve been in the states for a few days now and I can’t reiterate enough how happy I am to be theheckupout (a Venusism…learn it!) of Tanzania. My mom decided to spend the last few days of her vacation down here with me so she flew in on the same day I arrived. Since the second she got here I’ve been chauffeuring her around to every thrift/consignment store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This just so happens to be her favorite pastime. So who am I to deny her a good deal on something she may or may not need? (HI MOM! 😉 ) Continue reading
Saya-Fricken-Nara Tanzania
OMG. I didn’t think this day would ever come. Let me stop acting like that. While the more than a month spent in Tanzania was less than I had hoped it would be so many great things came out of me being here.
In honor of my departure I have compiled a list of the things that I will/will not miss. Like to hear it? Here it goes. Continue reading
R.I.P My dear friend
I am stopping in the states to say farewell to a good friend…. Continue reading
Rescue 9** – Kilimanjaro Edition
On the 5th day after waking up from my failed summit attempt (YET TRIUMPHANT KILIMANJARO CLIMB) I was so sick. Keeping down food or water wasn’t an option. I remembered my contract for the climb including rescue fees and since I had been climbing up for 5 days there was no way in hell I could get myself back down in the condition I was in. So …rescue it was. Well, that’s what I thought until the news was broken to me that there was no rescue services at the camp where we were. We would have to hike to the next one. 😐 Continue reading
I’m coming up on the rough side of the mountain – Day 5
I was woken up at 10:30 and told to pack on the layers. We were leaving at midnight on our way up to Uhuru peak. I was nauseous, exhausted and freezing (thanks to the numerous holes in my tent). I felt horrible. But there was no way I was going to admit that to myself or to the team. I was going to attempt to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. This is what I came here to do. Continue reading
I’m coming up on the rough side of the mountain – Day 4
I believe I was thinking “What the hell am I doing up here?” Please excuse the ratchet $13 braids…no further comment.
I woke up not feeling well at all today. I could only take a few bites of bread. It’s crazy how your mind can be so on board and ready to reach your goal but other factors that are out of your control prevent you from getting there.
Each day I have hiked 5-7 hours. It’s been raining, cold, and difficult as heck. This has seriously been the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. Leave it up to Venus to just walk off of the plane and decide “Oooh that mountain looks nice…I’m going to climb to the top” 😐 Continue reading
I’m coming up on the rough side of the mountain – Day 3
Camping in the clouds
It was the same shennanigans with the guide today. I slipped and fell on a huge boulder and hurt my hand and this cat was so far away that he had to yell back at me at the top of his lungs and ask if I was ok 😐 . If I hadn’t seen first hand the level of attention that the other guides were giving their clients I wouldn’t even be sweating this dude. Thank God I’m smart enough to know how to follow footprints and scents otherwise I’d be lost out in the wilderness. Continue reading
I’m coming up on the rough side of the mountain – Day 2
I woke up to this view today
I was prepared to wake up feeling like I was trampled on by a large pack of African elephants and mauled by wild dogs this morning. Instead I woke up feeling great. My body even felt strong throughout today’s climb…and today’s climb was a BEAST. Not just any beast…..a wild ferocious beast. Imagine climbing 6 + hours straight up a steep mountain….over huge boulders….in the pouring rain. When I say steep I mean I felt like we were making a B-line straight to heaven. Continue reading