Food, luggage and the Lion King

Food:

We have been getting the MOST amazing food whilst on the mountain. Fried banana, pancakes with to die for vegetable soups, chicken curry, spaghetti bolognaise... Delicious and nourishing. Delmence is making plans on taking the cook home with her. Raymond has a huge appetite but says that "apparently" he never eats that much at home. On the other hand, I don't have as big an appetite as the others and have to force myself to eat as carbo loading is extremely important. Fortunately the food is delicious so that helps.

Luggage:

I have again today realised that the fact that I could start my climb despite having lost my luggage, is nothing short of a miracle! And to understand what a feat this is, you have to know the amount of intensive planning and shopping that goes into deciding on every single item, from clothes to gear.

And not only did I manage to get everything I need, but got some of it in abundance. Have to admit I do not make much of a fashion statement wearing blue and green and pink together (although the pink sock will never again look the same).  Think on my return people will assume the photos have been taken on the same day as I am wearing the same clothes on all of them! I got a headlamp, socks, snacks, wipes, tissues (an essential item!!!), beanie, scarf, cap, tog bag (albeit an overweight wheel variety) etc.  I was even able to get so much that I could share snacks, tissues, black bags,etc with others who needed.

Fortunately I had with me on the plane my: hiking shoes, rain gear, inner and outer gloves, gor-tex jacket and pants and sleeping bag. I looked somewhat silly lugging my sleeping bag around at Joburg airport (although it came in handy as a pillow when my flight was delayed!) but I will forever be grateful that I had those items with me.

Of course I miss my books (((sigh))) but I can always read them later. I also don't have Simon Wheeler's cap that would have gone up to the top with me. Simon is my fried Amanda's brother who died in a car accident at the age of 33 (along with their sister). He was busy training for Kili at that stage and I am now finishing a journey that he could not. Fortunately I still have his photo so he will still be summitting.

Lion King:

I am convinced Simba was born in Tanzania. Simba in Swahili means Lion, Rafiki means Friend, and the locals sings the most beautiful song "Hakuna Matata" (not the Lion King version). 
Lala Salama! (Sleep well!)