Camping Kibo Lodge # 7 - Kili Initiative 2019

Over the next two days the Kili Initiative 2019 team engaged in various bonding challenges presented them by JM. Ma'we, and Fast Steve. These exercises were designed to interlocked the team into each other. Not as rivals, but as comrades.

Jackman, Vanessa, Maureen, Ubah, Jaubah, Larry, Laityn, and Natatlia were young people.

None of them knew each other.

But they were growing close thanks to these games.

I remained at a distance.

This was their time to bond, but I was glad to be with the young. I had been alone too many times in New York.

We left the Kibo Lodge rooms for tents.

"When was the last time you camped outside?" asked Jubah asked.

I decided not to tell about sleeping in the rough on Rockaway Beach and said, "1990 in Nepal."

"I wasn't even born then."

"None of us were."

"You got that right."

I had a tent to myself and the evening air was filled by the scent of flowers

The night was special.

I drank Kingali Cognac.

The young people remained sober. It was one of the rules.

We danced, sang, and laughed into the night.

I spoke with Vanessa, Maureen, Ubah, Natalia, and Laityn.

Sorry, I've been distant. I might live in a city of millions, but I sometimes feel alone."

"We all feel that way. Young and old, but not tonight," said Ubah and she smiled with s shyness swearing to her truth.

"Thank you" was all I could say.

In the morning the preacher man would wake us at 5:30 and we would hiking the Tsaavo plains.

They stretched across Kenya.

And for better or worse we were ready for them.