One week to go! For the very first time in my life, I am filled with doubts about an endeavour I am about to undertake. And I am wondering why. Normally, I look forward, with barely restrained excitement, to departing for some land unknown, to explore and see places I have only read about or seen on TV. I love to travel - by air though, as I find it the fastest mode of transportation. Plus, I love the sound the engines make when the plane lifts off from the ground - that extra "oomph" at take off sets my blood buzzing and cracks my face into a wide grin. Yes, I have been given weird looks by my fellow passengers when this happens, but, what do I care? It's fun! So, why am I apprehensive? I am either getting old or my mental state is the problem. I hope to God that, whichever is the culprit, by the time next week comes around, I will be back to my old, "can't-wait-to-go-on-this-trip" self. Self-doubt is a fairly recent and new emotion and I find it disconcerting and annoying! I plan to get to at least get to Gilman's Point (the point at which you get a certificate for climbing the mountain) or, God willing & Yayyy, Uhuru peak (the highest point on Kilimanjaro where, certificate or no certificate, you will proudly post on Facebook, pictures taken of you looking crazy and spaced out from the lack of oxygen and the sub-zero temperatures!) Wish me luck!

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