Uluguru Mountain Hike - Best Yet

Saturday morning and time for a break.... a few of us plan to hike up the Uluguru Mountain.  We look across at all day long.. every day. Unlike our rugged Rockies but absolutely amazing clouds form around it so that along with the sun and blue sky it seems to almost be alive at times.  

Pearl took this from the Arc's balcony 

Aldrey is 6 ft.. these trees are both
 at  least 8 ft. wide

Unlike our rugged Rockies but absolutely amazing clouds form around it so that along with the sun and blue sky it seems to almost be alive at times.  After a quick stop at the local grocery store for water and snacks we arrive at the trail head. Hot an humid.. good tree growing weather.

You can just see the warmth and humidity

I have to say this may have been the most interesting and beautiful walks of my life.  You gotta understand we walked for 3 hours up the mountain .. first on kind of mountain road... then eventually narrowing to a path.  Here are some of the people we saw.... moms with babies

Often with knit hat even at 30+

This little one thought we were quite a site 

This little girl was looking after her brother while mom was working in the garden/farm just off the path.  Mom did not want to be in the picture but motioned it was ok to take a photo of the kids who were eager... they love to see the result 

We came across the local primary school about 30 minutes up the path.  pretty primitive ... open doors and nothing but a few desks in the corners... we sat in the desks and wondered what it would be like.

The kids bring all books and supplies to school each day

A very neat space

A second building

Just passing through up the path

Chrisite and Sonjia enjoying the rest... with Charles

Open air

The trail narrowed ... lots of interesting twists, turns and discoveries

Single file at times

Aldrey found some Guavu ..just like Brazil

Charles our guide gave us some ripe ones further up the trail 

Speaking of Charles... he like the photos!!

Hard to see but his was a bamboo trough in the middle
of  nowhere that had fresh water  running out of it...
don't ask me!! .. but was refreshing

This is one of my favorites from the day.  Charles explained that some of  these folks make
a trip  twice a day up and down the mountain to Morogoro to sell produce.  Bare  foot
 in many cases we noticed.  This man went buy us going straight up the hill side.
  What a specimen.  

 Here are a mix of people and homes.  The rich colors of the dress and and inventive construction made for an eye popping walk.  

She is rolling dirt that we learned is given to pregnant women
to eat as it is rich in minerals

Not sure what was in the basket

Looking after his brother  

Home made dirt brick, poles, mud and a little tin for a roof

Appeared old clothes may have served as the walls

A grave across from one of the homes .. likely relatives.  This fellow was hoeing just off the path and seemed good to go for a picture...  not sure the brand of tobacco

I liked this house..nicely protected ..  a couple of buildings and cut a bit into the hill

We came across another family... looked like they were all very happy and looking after one another

Aldrey had been talking about the waterfall... the water shall we say .. was refresh .. our feet do not have the soles some of the Tanzanian's do... ouch ... oooch... eeechh!

Notice the stick to help ease the burden on the tender feet ...
we quickly  realized that although not snow feed the water
was a tad chilly  and coming down hard.  Time to exit!!

Charles wanted a picture with the ladies.. I really like this one

They love our pictures ... of them

The children loved to follow... they
 liked the balloons we often offer and snacks... they
are fascinate with cameras and the Muzungo's white skin!!

And there appears .... a sales guy with art.. go figure!

More homes... here they had cut into the bank to make earthen clay bricks for house construction

Nice hey... btw... notice the clay brick

This lady was shy at first and ten handed her baby across to Sonia

After a few passing a few goats on another hard to navigate stretch we arrived at another breath taking spot... and while resting tried my hand at the old "carry bananas on the head" skill that many seem to have.

  

Don't really get the sense of the amazing view back
up the valley we just came down 

That is Morogoro off in the distance

Straight drop off the end of the rock.. slippery and dangerous 

Out of formation

Aldrey gets smiles from the kids .. goodbye

        In formation .. appears we will all make it to the end!

Terrain was a challenge at times

We crossed a few bridges with intrepidation

Gilligan and first mate Maria!

We continued our walk back down .. a bit tired and hot.. the camera got less actions.

Lets garden girls

This fellow found a good
spot to rest ... looked
inviting after 5 or so hours

On the path bringing fire wood as there is no power at all for all  these people
... cook outside.  May be for building mountainside gardens we saw all
 along the way .. amazing how these people farm on the side of a mountain

By now my camera was out of battery. Petra took this photo.  She asked the man about the chicken in the bag and it became clear it was his supper. After first declining a photo he quickly picked up the chicken and posed for Petra.  Think he was impressed that the tall Hungarian blonde girl was interested.  This is a classic!!  Once talking he was very animated about his cu cu!!

Ah open road and the bus up around the corner beyond these women enjoying a Saturday afternoon in Tanzania