BackRoad Family
  • Travel
    • Destinations
      • US travel
        • Colorado
        • Joshua Tree
        • Utah
        • Sierra Mountains
        • Southern California
        • Washington D.C.
        • Wisconsin
      • Asia
        • Japan
          • Tokyo
          • Okinawa
        • Nepal
        • Sri Lanka
        • Thailand
      • Europe
        • Czech Republic
        • England
        • Germany
        • Italy
        • Wales
      • Africa
        • Rwanda
        • Tanzania
      • Middle East
        • Abu Dhabi
        • Dubai
        • Jordan
        • Oman
      • Central/South America
        • Bolivia
        • Mexico
        • Nicaragua
    • Activities
      • Camping/Outdoors
      • Roadtrips
      • Hiking
      • Rock climbing
      • Backpacking
      • Bike Touring
      • Diving
      • Surfing
      • Windsurfing
      • Skiing
  • Connection
    • Connect with us
    • Homeschool
    • Lifestyle and Parenting
  • Curiosity
  • Home
No Result
View All Result
BackRoad Family
No Result
View All Result

Arrived in Moshi

by elizabeth
August 22, 2015
in Africa, Camping/Outdoors, Running/hiking, Tanzania
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare via Email

After  25 actual hours on airplanes and 42 total  hours of travel time, we have made it to Moshi the town that sits at the base of Mt.Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. We are both deeply exhausted but happy to finally be here.

So far, the mountain is hiding behind the clouds, so hopefully tomorrow we can take some time to appreciate what I know is going to be a breathtaking sight. In an effort to stay up as long as possible (goal being 8:00pm) we decided to check out the neighborhood. It didn’t take but 2 minutes off our hotel property for us to wonder “is it possible for us to stick out any more?” For the first time in my life, and believe me I am not complaining, we were the only white people to be seen in a solid 45 minutes of walking around town. What an powerful reversal to the norm. It offers me the opportunity to think about how that must weigh in on a person’s identity when you really are, the only one who looks like you. I felt people’s eyes watching us as we made our way down the broken streets.  I was definitely the only one in workout clothes and Peter certainly the only person in board shorts. Being watched, even with friendly eyes, made me wish I was something different than Caucasian with bone straight hair. Actually, I think even back in California I would choose to be something different than Caucasian with bone straight hair. Maybe that means, that while I am here, I should experience what being “different” feels like and appreciate this opportunity for reflection. Leaning into a little discomfort now and then is good for me and I think being the minority once in a while is good practice for us all.

In front of our hotel
Tags: AfricaKilimanjaroMoshiTanzania

elizabeth

Related Posts

Biking

The Lake District

November 28, 2022

It was the movie Miss Potter that first peaked my interest in the Lake District. As a child, I loved...

Hiking

Cactus To Clouds

November 29, 2020

Last weekend, we checked an item off our adventure bucket list when we completed Cactus to Clouds (C2C) as a...

Camping/Outdoors

Travel: A Canyon Fit for a King!

August 22, 2015

Just east of Fresno, CA, in an area geographically similar to Yosemite, lies Kings Canyon National Park. After hearing about the canyon's...

Backpacking

Tips for Backpacking with a Small Child

August 22, 2015

Parents are often reluctant to take their child on multi-day visits to the backcountry. On the surface, I can understand their concerns but when I...

Backpacking

Rae Lakes Loop with a 2 year old (Packing and Prep)

August 22, 2015

Today we spent over 12 hours packing. Yes, it really took over 12 hours and we don't have the kid...

Running/hiking

Utah: Zion 100.

January 16, 2023

The last portion of our vacation was the big motivator for taking the trip. Our friend Greg was participating in the Zion...

Next Post

Africa: Rwanda Genocide Museum

Africa: Rwanda Gorillas

6 days on Kilimanjaro

Comments 2

  1. kdmcdan
    Kristin says:
    12 years ago

    Hi Elizabeth!! Finally made it to your blog! We are thinking of you guys!!!

    Reply
  2. pidgeonblood
    Julia Bauer says:
    12 years ago

    You ROCK Elizabeth. Keep leaning. J

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

© 2023 Backroad Family

No Result
View All Result
  • Travel
    • Destinations
      • US travel
      • Asia
      • Europe
      • Africa
      • Middle East
      • Central/South America
    • Activities
      • Camping/Outdoors
      • Roadtrips
      • Hiking
      • Rock climbing
      • Backpacking
      • Bike Touring
      • Diving
      • Surfing
      • Windsurfing
      • Skiing
  • Connection
    • Connect with us
    • Homeschool
    • Lifestyle and Parenting
  • Curiosity
  • Home

© 2023 Backroad Family