Rau, the village I live in, is situated at the base of Mt. Kili. Yesterday my volunteers and I went for an all day hike which took us up through coffee and banana plantations and landscape rich with green foliage.
This area is called Shi Mbwe Juu
There are multiple natural springs and fresh water sources up here and rivers flowing from mountain run-off.
A Chagga woman I passed along the way. Many of the villagers who live in this area are farmers from the Chagga tribe. They will head down to Rau, usually by foot, to sell their produce while the elder family members stay home and farm.
"Shikamo Mama. Pole."
Reaching the large waterfall above Shi Mbwe Juu. Usually it is quite cold up here but today was really sunny and a number of us jumped in when we got to the base of the falls.
A closer view, you can hike in behind the falls. Local legend says doing so will bring you good luck... I did it. The water was so refreshing and clean... a beautiful day.
Overlooking Rau, it was pretty hazy so the view wasn't that terrific but glad to have huffed my way up part of Kili... to climb to the summit and return takes a full week (not in my schedule this trip) but maybe next...
Beautiful pictures of the children again....and to see the glory of Mt Kilimanjaro is awesome. When your Aunt Kathryn hiked it to the top in the 60's, we didn't have the quickness of Internet to see what she'd accomplished. Know you're having a wonderful trip, thought working hard, and looking forward to 'family time together' soon!
ReplyDeleteLove you, Mom
Your pictures are spectacular and will be something you will review over & over in future years. Couple more weeks then Higgins.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
DAD