Donc me voila de retour a basse altitude, dans la ville de Moshi, en train d'attendre un autobus qui est peut-etre a midi, ou peut-etre a 14h, ou peut-etre pas. Demain, nous commencons notre safari, et j'ai bien hate. Nous irons au Serengeti et au cratere Ngorongoro pour 4 jours.
Hier nous avions une journee de planifiee pour relaxer, et nous sommes alle visiter un "orphelinat" qu'un homme que nous avons rencontre a commence. Ce que j'ai decouvert en arrivant la-bas, c'est que la vie est vraiment injuste. Cet homme et les 25 enfants qui dorment ensemble dans 5 lits simples sont les chanceux, car ils ont de l'eau courante et vont a l'ecole. Ce que j'ai vu : les murs en cartons (sans farce), aucune electricite (pas surprenant, mais quand meme...), et une petite cabane pas plus grosse que ma salle de bain avec une porte de la grosseur d'une porte a chien ou se logeait un homme de 82 ans alite malade de tuberculose qui nous remerciat sans cesse d'avoir visite. Ils nous ont remercie sans arret pendant des heures pour avoir donne $50 et nos restants de bouffes de randonne, c'en etait vraiment genant. Je n'oublierai jamais cette journee.
Je me demande maintenant si ce n'est pas mon autobus qui vient de passer, donc je vous laisse.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Mission accomplished!
Well, you all know the punch line, we made it, all 5 of us. It was more difficult for some in the group (read: the men), but we all did very well. I'm feeling very emotional today, more so than when I actually made it to the peak, I think it has to do with saying goodbye to the wonderful guides, porters and other people I was climbing with. I really got along well with the other girl that was climbing with us, she is 27 and reminds me of my friend Katia. We were much lower maintenance than the boys, that's for sure! We had lots of laughs together (we reverted to kindergarten talk because you have to be so in touch with your bodily functions! The guides asked us about it at meal times anyways...), learned a bit more Swahili, saw some beautiful sights... Tears well up just writing about it!
We made it to the top one day early, because it made more sense to have a very long day and go directly than to have a medium long day, sleep in very high altitude, wake up more exhausted than when you went to sleep,and then try to hit the summit. And we were very lucky with the weather because we only got 2 days of rain in the entire 10 days, which were on the descent (the last day and a half). A couple left the day after us and couldn't make it to the top because of bad weather, they got the bad weather going up that we had going down. One guy (the one who traveled with me for a bit and who I'm doing the safari with) had some trouble, his oxygen level went down to 42% when we slept in the crater (it should usually be around 100%, and they start worrying around 65%), but they gave him a bit of oxygen and he was fine. So there's so much more to say, but my brain feels like mush and I'm curious to look at my messages so I will write more tomorrow. This afternoon I'm going to visit an orphanage that is run by a man that a guy from a previous "Climb for CARE" met. Just figured, if I'm going to be emotional, might as well go all the way! There are 35 kids who are orphaned by AIDS who live with him... So I guess I'll have lots more to tell tomorrow!
Love you all, thank you for everything, all your support and your love. I feel so lucky and blessed.
We made it to the top one day early, because it made more sense to have a very long day and go directly than to have a medium long day, sleep in very high altitude, wake up more exhausted than when you went to sleep,and then try to hit the summit. And we were very lucky with the weather because we only got 2 days of rain in the entire 10 days, which were on the descent (the last day and a half). A couple left the day after us and couldn't make it to the top because of bad weather, they got the bad weather going up that we had going down. One guy (the one who traveled with me for a bit and who I'm doing the safari with) had some trouble, his oxygen level went down to 42% when we slept in the crater (it should usually be around 100%, and they start worrying around 65%), but they gave him a bit of oxygen and he was fine. So there's so much more to say, but my brain feels like mush and I'm curious to look at my messages so I will write more tomorrow. This afternoon I'm going to visit an orphanage that is run by a man that a guy from a previous "Climb for CARE" met. Just figured, if I'm going to be emotional, might as well go all the way! There are 35 kids who are orphaned by AIDS who live with him... So I guess I'll have lots more to tell tomorrow!
Love you all, thank you for everything, all your support and your love. I feel so lucky and blessed.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
First day in Dar Es Salaam
st day in Dar Es SalaaWell, my first day in Dar Es Salaam is coming to an end, and I've really enjoyed it so far! We arrived late last night (I'm travelling with one of the guys who'll be doing the Kilimanjaro trek with me - Stephan), and to tell you the truth, I was pretty nervous... I don't know, I guess it's something about arriving late at night in an unknown city where I feel completely uprooted, and having only very little sleep after having travelled approximately 24hours... But we arrived at our hotel safely, and went to bed, and as the music from the minaret from the Mosque right down the street from where we are sounded, I started the feel the exitement of my new adventure.
So we woke up early this morning, had breakeast and walked around to visit Dar Es Salaam for a while, it was a beautiful sunny day, but very hot and humid. We walked all the way down to the water, to the fish market which was bustling with people and activity, very impressive! Then we walked back towards city center, stopped by the botanical garden (have I ever been to the Montreal one?), and then as we were walking down one of the streets, a young vendor tried to sell us his batikas. We chatted for a while, and ended buying one each (I still don't know if I got a good deal or not, but we got him to go down by 50%, so I was happy with that), we ended up going to a local lunch place with him and his friend, and they were both very nice, and very helpful. Then, the rain started... oh my goodness. The vendor's friend, Simba (and he says Hakuna matata non stop too - how lion king is that!), said it would stop in 15 minutes. 2 hours later, he specified he meant in African time! Anyways, the streets were completely flooded, and when we finally decided it was raining little enough for us to venture out, we were waking with water up to our knees. It was crazy!
Anyways, it's been an hour now, and the sewer system seems to have worked it's magic, and the streets are walkable (as opposed to wadable) now. Tomorrwo we will probably spend the day here again, and then head to a town called Lushoto afterwards, which is half way between here and Moshi, the town where we meet to do the Kilimanjaro climb.
So we woke up early this morning, had breakeast and walked around to visit Dar Es Salaam for a while, it was a beautiful sunny day, but very hot and humid. We walked all the way down to the water, to the fish market which was bustling with people and activity, very impressive! Then we walked back towards city center, stopped by the botanical garden (have I ever been to the Montreal one?), and then as we were walking down one of the streets, a young vendor tried to sell us his batikas. We chatted for a while, and ended buying one each (I still don't know if I got a good deal or not, but we got him to go down by 50%, so I was happy with that), we ended up going to a local lunch place with him and his friend, and they were both very nice, and very helpful. Then, the rain started... oh my goodness. The vendor's friend, Simba (and he says Hakuna matata non stop too - how lion king is that!), said it would stop in 15 minutes. 2 hours later, he specified he meant in African time! Anyways, the streets were completely flooded, and when we finally decided it was raining little enough for us to venture out, we were waking with water up to our knees. It was crazy!
Anyways, it's been an hour now, and the sewer system seems to have worked it's magic, and the streets are walkable (as opposed to wadable) now. Tomorrwo we will probably spend the day here again, and then head to a town called Lushoto afterwards, which is half way between here and Moshi, the town where we meet to do the Kilimanjaro climb.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Fondation des Skieurs Handicapés de l'Estrie
Depuis quelques années, je suis impliquée auprès de la Fondation des Skieurs Handicapés de l'Estrie en tant que bénévole au programme de ski alpin d'hivers et coordonnatrice-bénévole au programme de ski nautique d'été. C'est une organisation à laquelle je tiens beaucoup à cause de tout ce qu'elle apporte aux personnes handicapées, mais aussi en raison des beaux moments que j'ai vécu avec eux et de la façon dont mon implication a enrichie ma vie.
For all these reasons, I am proud to be bringing a specially-prepared memento of the Foundation with me to the top of Kilimanjaro, and take a picture with it once I reach the top.
Furthermore, now that I have surpassed my objective of $5000 for CARE Canada, I would be greatful if all future donations were made to the Eastern Townships Disables Skiers Foundation. The link to the website is indicated in the "links" section below.
Thank you for all your support and donations! C'est ce qui m'aidra à atteindre le sommet!
For all these reasons, I am proud to be bringing a specially-prepared memento of the Foundation with me to the top of Kilimanjaro, and take a picture with it once I reach the top.
Furthermore, now that I have surpassed my objective of $5000 for CARE Canada, I would be greatful if all future donations were made to the Eastern Townships Disables Skiers Foundation. The link to the website is indicated in the "links" section below.
Thank you for all your support and donations! C'est ce qui m'aidra à atteindre le sommet!
Sunday, 24 February 2008
The Montreal Underground Race
This morning I ran my very first race. It was a 5km race in the Montreal underground as part of the Montreal High Lights Festival, and I've discovered parts of the underground city I'd never seen before... je ne savais pas qu'il était possible de se rendre de la Place Montreal Trust au Palais des Congrès sans mettre le pied dehors! J'ai terminé dans le premier tiers des femmes et dans ma catégorie d'age (qui est maintenant de 30 à 39ans!), et à un peu plus de la moitié de tous les compétiteurs. Ce sera peut-être un de mes nouveaux loisirs!
Vins et fromages : quelle réussite!
Après plusieurs jours de préparations et d'anticipation, c'est avec plaisir que je prononce cet évènement un succès. Plus de 40 personnes sont venues chez moi, m'ont témoigné leur support et m'ont démontré qu'ils m'appuyaient dans mon projet de monter le mont Kilimandjaro. Ce fut pour moi un moment très émouvant. I would like to thank everybody who came to support me, as well as those of you who could not be there for supporting me in my quest. It was an amazing feeling to see all the faces of friends and family from the many aspects of my life coming together to encourage me beyond expectations.
Furthermore, with this wine and cheese, I've surpassed the $4000 point in my fundraising, and the finish line (or should I say the peak of the mountain?) is now in sight. Merci beaucoup pour vos dons qui sont plus que généreux, et pour vos mots d'encouragements, je m'en souviendrai lorsque ce sera le temps de franchir les derniers pas vers le sommet Uruhu.
Un merci tout particulier à mes parents qui ont été particulièrement généreux en coeur, en temps et en provisions. Thank you!
Furthermore, with this wine and cheese, I've surpassed the $4000 point in my fundraising, and the finish line (or should I say the peak of the mountain?) is now in sight. Merci beaucoup pour vos dons qui sont plus que généreux, et pour vos mots d'encouragements, je m'en souviendrai lorsque ce sera le temps de franchir les derniers pas vers le sommet Uruhu.
Un merci tout particulier à mes parents qui ont été particulièrement généreux en coeur, en temps et en provisions. Thank you!
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Mount Mansfield
I had a beautiful day on sunday walking up mount Manfield with few friends fo mine. Il y a tellement de neige, c'est incroyable! Voici quelques photos...
The planning is coming along for the wine and cheese, ony a week until the event! Les gens sont très généreux jusqu'à présent et j'en suis extrêmement reconnaissante. Merci!
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Wine & cheese
I'm planning a wine and cheese fundraiser event on Thursday, February 21st, for which the preparations are coming along quite nicely. Slowly but surely friends and collegues are confirming that they will attend, and ideally I would like to have approximately 50 guests. So far, 15 people have officially confirmed, and many more have verbally told me they would attend but are just waiting to see if they will be bringing a guest or not.
En plus du vin et fromages, j'achète aujourd'hui mon billet d'avion et je planifie mon itinéraire afin de pouvoir maximiser mon temps en Tanzanie (je pars 1 mois en tout) afin de pouvoir faire un safari et visiter l'île de Zanzibar. Malheureusement, je me rend compte je serai en Tanzanie durant la saison des pluies, mais cela a aussi ses avantages : moins d'achlandage, prix moins élevés et plaines (apparament) d'une verdure incloyable.
Mon entraînement va bien, je sens mon endurance et mes capacités s'améliorer de semaine en semaine. Il est difficile de savoir quelle forme physique est nécessaire pour atteindre le sommet, surtout que l'altitude est un facteur important... mais je demeure confiante que je réussirai!
En plus du vin et fromages, j'achète aujourd'hui mon billet d'avion et je planifie mon itinéraire afin de pouvoir maximiser mon temps en Tanzanie (je pars 1 mois en tout) afin de pouvoir faire un safari et visiter l'île de Zanzibar. Malheureusement, je me rend compte je serai en Tanzanie durant la saison des pluies, mais cela a aussi ses avantages : moins d'achlandage, prix moins élevés et plaines (apparament) d'une verdure incloyable.
Mon entraînement va bien, je sens mon endurance et mes capacités s'améliorer de semaine en semaine. Il est difficile de savoir quelle forme physique est nécessaire pour atteindre le sommet, surtout que l'altitude est un facteur important... mais je demeure confiante que je réussirai!
Monday, 21 January 2008
Back on track
Après quelques temps sans ajouter de nouvelles sur mon blog, je recommence en neuf en 2008. J'ai mis sur glace mes préparatifs pour le Kilimandjaro pour une période parce que je voulais valider certaines informations en lien avec ce voyage. Entre autres, l'ampleur de l'organisation de cette année est significativement plus petite que celle des années précédentes en raison du décès tragique d'un des grimpeurs lors de l'ascension de l'année dernière. Maintenant que j'ai eu les clarifications nécéssaires, je poursuis dans mon entraînement et ma levée de fonds!
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