Poa Kechize Comendeeze (Cool like a crazy banana)

They had called to tell the Kilmaros what time they were arriving to pick me up. But I wasn't told. I woke up early. Packed the essentials fast. The "essentials" are engraved in my memory from countless backpacking trips. Before I knew it, they were here.
We arrived at the Oasis Hotel to pick up the other two backpackers but an injury to the foot left Stephan unable to hike. His girlfriend Stephanie hiked Meru for the two of them.Stephanie and I took the bus ride to the park entrance, waited as the guards and guides conversed, then continued up the rocky stretch toward the mountain.
Guidion, our guide, was fantastic. Besides his alcoholism he was to best guide around. His distinct voice, forged from the heat and smoke of Portsman cigarettes, was reassuring.
The first day was pointless. A walk on a road for 12km has never felt longer. The safari cars whizzed by. So to put it simply it was an unnecessary walk to the base of the mountain.
Although I didnt enjoy the trail I enjoyed the scenery. Sometimes you have to enjoy the journey instead of thinking about the destination. We saw monkey, we saw giraffes, we saw water buffalo, and a plethora of other animals. And whether it was truly for protection or just to make the hikers pay more we had an armed guard.
Compared to roughing it in the Wind Wilderness Wyoming this was luxury. I arrived in the Maricamba camp early. Consisting of three hiker bunk houses containing 20 4 person rooms each it was a Ritz Carlton. The food was good. The beds were comfortable. And the beers were cold.
This was the beginning of my adventures with Org an Gerald.





































- Chad