So, we fly out to Nairobi tonight. Fortunately, I've been really busy with work so not had too much time to think but feeling a tad apprehensive now. I've been reading a few other blogs and hearing tales from other people who have done this before...
It may sound ridiculous but I've sort of brushed over the physical challenge till now but apparently it's fairly huge. I was doing a lot of trekking last year in preparation for the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge so I know I can walk for long periods. Climbing is another matter - Dubai is one of the flattest places on earth, so training has been limited to climbing up and down the stairwell at the Marriott Harbour Hotel - 56 storeys and the most I managed was up and down it three times, which was tough. It may not be mountain climbing, but it's the same muscle groups, and our guide for the trip (Guinness World Record adventurer Adrian Hayes, no less) recommended it as the best type of training we could do.
There are two things I'm worried about - mentality and altitude sickness. Staying positive is essential, and all the horror stories I've read have been from people or groups that have allowed themselves to get down. Altitude sickness...well, I can't do much about that. I've been on Vitamin C tablets which apparently helps. I naturally hydrate well thanks to my sporty background, which also helps. I have three different forms of painkillers, which are bound to help. I'm also happy to leave my ego in Moshi and go nice and slow the whole way up, which is essential, it seems, when you're heading six kilometres straight up into the air to reach a point which is only a little lower than your average passenger plane flies.
Unfortunately, there's no telling who'll suffer badly from altitude sickness (apparently, we'll all suffer in some way).
Anyway, any apprehension is balanced about my excitement of going to Africa - a big dream of mine (I've done Morocco before but that's not Africa, is it!). Can't wait to get going now.
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