danajohnhill.org

I don’t generally harbor notions of myself as any sort of adventurer. I don’t suppose I’ll ever sail solo around Cape Horn, or kayak on the Futaleufú. I have no interest in BASE jumping from the CN Tower, nor do I desire to climb K2 or Everest, or even Stone Mountain, Georgia.

I am, however, fascinated by Kilimanjaro. This is a mountain that rises over 15,000 feet from the Maasai steppe, practically on the Equator, to a summit of 19,340 feet. An astonishing diversity of flora and fauna is found in the vicinity and along the route to the peak, from open plain to rainforest to a virtual desert to a glacier.

One day I’d love to climb Kilimanjaro. In spite of the fact that it is Africa’s highest mountain, it is also relatively feasible for a mere mortal to make the trek. I’m mortal; that could be me!

In the New York Times Magazine today, Tom Bissell has a fascinating description of his Tanzanian adventure, and in an accompanying multimedia presentation, his route is charted, as are his vital signs. His associated commentary is dissuading, but I will not be deterred. Such is my desire to climb Kilimanjaro–while the Furtwängler Glacier remains, I hope–that I even find myself enjoying Toto’s “Africa” – a weak song by all practical standards.

My love of trains is well known. But did you also know that I am fascinated by African geography? For instance, the only mountain in the world I am interested in climbing before I die is Kilimanjaro. I was amazed by the NPR story of the runners who crossed the Sahara. I love The African Queen. And I am fascinated by the geography of the Congo.

So, finding this New York Times story about the railroad in Congo with an accompanying photographic slideshow was especially poignant to me. It’s a sad story about a kind of poverty most of us in the United States could not possibly imagine, and yet it is a way of life for millions of people. I’ll try and think about that next time I am upset by traffic, as I sit in my air conditioned car.