Day 1: Arusha Tanzania
Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey! Everyone has arrived safely at Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania. Similar to Mount Kilimanjaro, which comprises of three volcano cones, Mount Meru is also a dormant volcano and stands at 14,968 ft. Let’s hope our climbers have good weather on Mount Kilimanjaro because on a clear day, you can see Mount Meru from Mount Kilimanjaro which is 43 miles west! Keep an eye on this trip journal! We’ll be posting everyday from now until the end of the trip!
After 48hrs 3planes and 14 check bags, The McCarty Party made it to Arusha. Upon arrival after customs we were greeted with nothing but excitement and a big smile from our driver, Chris. All 7 of my fam and I loaded into his car and drove an hour from the airport to the hotel. We settled into our hotel rooms my siblings torrance, Madeleine and I immediately zonked out for about 5hrs until dinner with the other hikers in our group.
We patiently waited at this large table for strangers who we soon will get to call friends (I think 10 out of the 18 of us are from Colorado).
Months ago Beyond Adventures had each hiker fill out a Profile/Bio so others in our group could get to know a little about each other prior to the trip. Although we had to read each other’s bio prior to dinner our guide had us go around and introduce ourselves. (Name, what we do, from, and why we are on this trip). Initially I filled out in my bio that I am on this trip because “mom has been planning it for three years,” me and my 4 siblings also said something along those lines. But at dinner having been asked that question again I reflected and came up with this:
“I did not have the opportunity to work this summer because I was taking classes, but I did have time to invest myself into the gym, runs, and hikes. Especially on the hikes I have been shocked with my ability. In life I often set my expectations low for myself and get proud of even the bare minimum. But if this summer has shown me anything, it’s that I am more capable and have more ability than I think….so I now say my choice to come on this trip, is to show myself that I am able, and capable, of accomplishing great things, not on my own, but with a team who’s right there with me.
I see Jesus working even in the timing of bringing each of us together in our hiking group. Why each of these hikers is here is all for their own reason, with a common goal in mind too: to experience new heights (literally). Jeff from California has been wanting to do this for 20 years, and in the middle of that he meet Rachel and Robin through work. Rachel and Robin from Florida made a pact 10 years ago to come back to Africa and Hike Kili, here they are! Mr. Rainey takes each of his 5 daughters on a trip when they turn 6, 10, and 16 to spend intentional time with them, to what he believes are important age mile stones in there life, his daughter Caroline who is now 17 (one year later due to covid) is here with him. And those are just a few of the wild stories! as well ththe most JOYFUL tour guides that we have leading us on this journey. What I guess I’m looking forward to the most is making these moments with these people where we can encourage, support, challenge, and celebrate with one another for the next 6ish days. Kili here we come!
As my friends would call me,
“Shanny”
(Shannon McCarty)