8 hours and 27 minutes

That's how long it took Simon Mtuy to RUN up AND down Kili. He holds the record. To day I finally met and had a meeting with Simon. I am trying to convince him to hire some of the porters we trained in the Fall. He was so excited about what we did and the philosophy behind it....it was thrilling. He loved the idea of women porters....that these were kids that were orphaned because of HIV/AIDS....he lost his brother to the disease. The thing that struck me the most was just his physical awesomeness....tall lanky confident and compassionate. It felt like being in the presence of greatness...
The other exciting thing that happened is we now are the proud parents of 7 healthy 3 week old baby rabbits. Our (smart) gardener decided not to tell us until they grew a bit...but boy are they cute. We are trying to apply all the things we have learned through our other escapades with animals this year...now i think we will get it right....and they will make beautiful parting gifts to all Nell and Pearl's friends....
Good Africa day.....stimulating and exciting!
Peace,
Sarah

Chairs vs. Men with Shovels and Big Rocks

You know that Chicago tradition of saving parking spaces with chairs? I have found the Moshi/Tanzania equivalent. Yesterday after getting stuck for the third time ( i did mention the rain, right?) I was attempting to once again get down the road to our house. This time I was stopped by the men with shovels who had placed big rocks in the road while they "fixed" it. They asked me to donate to the road fund...."any amount would be enough"...after giving my 100 TSH (10 cents) they removed the rocks and I was on my way. I had that same "can they do that" feeling I get when I find a folding chair in a parking spot.
YOU must check out the blog called thatskeen.blogspot.com It has a great U-Tube video of Sara Wright''s visit here...amazing. I love it.
I'm gearing up to climb Mt. Meru in May....the second highest in Tanzania...word on the dirt road is..it is more beautiful...more technical (than KILI)and has seven fake summits. I am doing it with some Mom friends from Nell and Pearl's school should be great.
Hope all are well!
Peace,
Sarah