Africa on my mind–

 POW!  Here we are in Tanzania hanging out with the Masai and chatting with the occasional elephant.  It feels like home here.  Africa is the cradle of humanity after all. . .I can feel it. . .I feel like I am standing on solid ground here.  And the fragrance. . .aaaah, the fragrance of the bush. . .the African bush. . .well, it is strangely soothing and warming. . .dare I say, womb-like?  Yes, I will. . .Africa smells like the womb of humanity. . .delightful, enticing, scintillating.  I love Tanzania here in Africa, and you will too if you ever find yourself wandering around on the planet’s most fascinating continent.

I send you cradling vibes from Tanzania. . .feel them. . .they are a part of you.

To see more wonderful images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .you know you want to.

It’s lovely out there.

Afreeeecaaaaa!

KAZOWY!  Above you see children in Bamako, Mali. . .me posing with a musician in Dogon country. . .and a sunny view of a grassy airstrip in Tanzania. . .mmmm, aaaahh!  The people here, the music here, the fragrance of the African bush here all rock my world. . .all make me feel the powerful vibes of the cradle of humanity.

Scientists have announced the discovery of ancient human DNA in fossils found in Spain that are somewhere around four hundred thousand years old.  Supposedly this discovery is creating ‘confusion’ in the scientific community regarding the migration of ancient humanoids. . .do we all really come from Africa?  I gotta tell you that when you travel here in Africa there is no confusion regarding our origins. . .you can feel it here. . .we are all African.  Be proud. . .we are all African. . .this IS the cradle of humanity.

I send you original vibes from Africa. . .feel them. . .they are palpable.

To see more fun images from around planet Earth simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .do it. . .it’s sooo easy to take a virtual trip right here, right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Elephants rock!

POW!  Here we are in Tarangire National Park in Tanzania checking out quite possibly the coolest animals on the face of the Earth, elephants.  Tarangire is the sixth largest park in Tanzania, and is primarily known for its plentiful herds of elephants.  These guys are everywhere here, and they are amazing.  Elephants display wonderful social skills and habits–they have each other’s back, so to speak–U.S. Congress could learn a thing or three from these creatures.  I love the elephants here in east Africa. . .jambo, jambo bwana.

Plus, there are Masai folks here.  They are super chill. . .I love the Masai, too.

I send you socially chilled vibes from Tanzania. . .feel them. . .they are a part of all of us.  Mmmm, aaaah!

To see more fascinating images from around our tiny planet simply click on a location of your choice in the category menu on the ‘About’ page of this blog. . .dive in. . .you can go just about anywhere you like right NOW.

It’s lovely out there.

Buffalo. . .Zebra–

The Cape Buffalo is the most dangerous animal in the African bush.  They are like tanks of flesh and bone with horns that curve around and jut out ominously from their skulls.  Lions have a hard time hunting them. . .even the young. . .for the adults stand their ground and fight off as many lions as dare to tangle with them.  It is said that when the Masai attempt to hunt the Cape Buffalo the animals run away. . .and then an adult or two will circle around, wait behind a tree or bush, and then attack the hunters. . .wow!  I have seen them rip fenders off of 4×4 vehicles ferrying gringos around the bush.  We totally do not want to mess with these guys.

Zebra, on the other hand, are pleasant to watch grazing.  But, it is said that they will buck the heck out of any creature that approaches them. . .quite nasty in temperament as well. . .though not as well armed as the Buffalo with their helmets of horns.  Lions would rather hunt Zebra than Cape Buffalo. . .at least according to my survey of representatives of the Lion community.

I send you ominous bucking vibes from the Ngorongoro Crater. . .feel them. . .they are to be respected.

It’s lovely out there.

Rhino. . .Hippo–

Not another Rhino blocking the road!  Sheesh. . .the traffic out here in the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is outrageous.  I mean who does this guy think he is hogging (or rhinoing) the road?  C’mon buddy. . .move it!

And don’t you hate it when Hippos hog (or hippo) the local swimming hole?  I know I do.  And look. . .he’s yawning like he has all of the time in the world and no one else needs to have a dip in the hole.  What a barbarian. . .what an inconsiderate maroon. . .what a. . .Hippo.

I send you hogging (rhinoing/hippoing) vibes from the Ngorongoro Crater. . .feel them. . .they are substantial.

It’s lovely out there.

A riddle–

How many people does it take to carry all of the stuff needed for a bunch of gringos to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro here in Tanzania?  See the photo above for your answer.  We are awfully needy gringos on this trip. . .ah well, fun is had by all.

I send you helpful, collaborative vibes from the porter crew here on the path up Mt. Kilimanjaro. . .feel them. . .they are to be appreciated.

It’s lovely out there.

Mt. Kilimanjaro–

Here I am at Uhuru peak at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  This point is 19,341 feet above sea level.  I have never been this high before–both physically and emotionally. . .it is absolutely glorious up here.  All around us we see Africa lying at our feet.  We can see Kenya, Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, etc.. . .all the countries around Tanzania.  And the glacier is impressive. . .this shot was taken exactly 15 years ago, and it looks nothing like this today, June 20, 2013.  Almost all gone as the Earth cycles into a warmer period.  Round and round she goes, and where she stops, nobody knows. . .

Kilimanjaro means “great mountain.”  It is a great mountain.  I have gone to the mountain-top oh brothers and sisters, and I can confirm its greatness.  Feel the unbelievable vibes from the mountain-top. . .they are cleansing.

It’s lovely out there.

High camp–

Here we are above the clouds as we climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.  This camp is at about 15,000 feet above sea level.  Mmmmm. . .breathe in, breathe out. . .and drink lots of water to help manage the effects of altitude.  Making me a little high here. . .jaaa!

At top you can see Mt. Kenya in the distance–it’s actually in Kenya (great views, right?), Africa’s second highest mountain at a little over 17,000 feet above sea level.  In the bottom shot you can see the snows of Kilimanjaro. . .wow.  Dat’s where we are headin’.

I have a friend who says, “the mountains are where it’s at.”  I agree.

It’s lovely out there.

Lunch–

We are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro here in Tanzania, and BOOM! it’s time for lunch.  Fresh fruits, fresh veggies, luncheon meats, cheeses, bread, tasty spreads, nuts, fruit juice, etc. are all available to fuel us for this ascent.  Feels good up here. . .clean air, easy breezes, lots of sun. . .plus, we start getting the natural high that altitude brings. . .mmmmm, aaaaaahh.

I am up here feeling honored to have this opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Africa.  What a glorious thing to do.  Our planet is whizzing around our solar system. . .we are all specks amidst the vastness of our 14 billion light year wide universe. . .our time here is short. . .I breathe in the mystery of it all. . .and breathe out the concern that may accompany the mystery. . .and simply attempt to ‘be’–right here, right now.

It’s lovely out there.

Trailhead–

Let’s climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. . .the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing peak in the world.  Above, you see the trailhead in Arusha, Tanzania.  We start climbing in lush green forest, and we will end at the rocky, glaciated peak.

Kilimanjaro means either ‘mountain of greatness’ or ‘mountain of whiteness.’  In Kiswahili the word ‘kilima’ means “mountain,” and ‘njaro’ means “greatness” now but in the past meant “white” or “whiteness.”  Both meanings for Kilimanjaro are appropo as the mountain is, indeed, great, and it has been white for a long time.  Though with the glacier nearly melted now the white version of the name may fade away.

I send you vibes of ascendance from the trailhead to Mt. Kilimanjaro. . .feel them. . .they will make you high.

It’s lovely out there.