Day 2: Legho Village
We spent another great day in Arusha, eating breakfast together at the hotel and subsequently visiting Lego, Papa Deo’s hometown. Papa Deo invited us to his establishment called Lego Mountain Peace and Praise, a multi building facility on a mountain ridge facing Kilimanjaro. We spent time reflecting on the trip, playing games, praying over the location, and spending quality time together. After returning to the hotel and eating a late dinner, we caught up with Schroder Voyles:
What is something that you saw today that you’ve never seen before?
Mount Kilimanjaro.
High and low of the day?
High was taking time to reflect on the group, the climb, and the reason I am here while on a solo in LEGO, Papa Deo’s hometown.
Low was riding late at night in the back of a long rickety bus, back from LEGO, passing vehicles on the right side of a rough “highway”.
What was unique about this experience compared to something else you could have done this summer?
The opportunity to climb Kili with these friends and family is a once in a lifetime trip.
Why did you choose THIS trip?
To support my dad on the climb and my brother’s new business venture “Beyond”.
Why did you want to summit Kilimanjaro?
Because it looks impossible. We arrived on day one and couldn’t see it from the road. You could feel it, however, and the actual sight of the mountain the next morning struck a fear inside of me as would a giant trapping me in a corner, standing over me, and ready to crush me to death. I do love an all around hell of a challenge, though. I also find an internal quiet peace in nature, when hiking, climbing, breathing, and watching every step. And the fact I get to do it with friends and family makes it all the more fulfilling, exciting, and fun. My dad and I hiked 115 miles on the John Muir Trail with my twin sister Kelly and her husband Anthony in 2016, and the experience was the most incredible and beautiful experience of my life to this day. Let’s just hope I don’t lose my mind at altitude and have plenty of stories to share.
What is something you have learned about yourself on this trip?
That I can be more patient and submitting to the trip leaders than I was in my early 20’s, as someone who thought he had it all together and knew how to run things. Organizing a trip like this seems very difficult and complicated given the third world nature of Arusha and trust one must have in individuals, companies, hotels, airports, climbing guides, etc to provide for your needs. Drew and his team have pulled the trip together well this far and have set us up for a successful climb. I look forward to the adventure ahead!