17 countries. 6 weeks. And one pair of underwear.
"What in the hell am I getting myself into?," I thought as I stared at the package of underwear before me which bore that tagline. I was in the REI store buying stuff for a trip.
And suddenly I felt like Blair for having on machine-washed underwear.
It all started with a phone call from Shannon at Christmas. (That's her -I've known Shannon since ninth grade and she's like family. If my family were sane.) We were having a pity party because she had recently broken up with her long-time bf and I was single during the holidays for the first time in a decade. She asked me to go with her to a wedding in Africa and before I knew it, we were planning a trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.
That's right, y'all. I leave Saturday, June 28. I'll be back July 12 (we're gonna kick it in South Africa for a few days after the hike). I won't have internet access until the second week sometime.
And that's why I was in the REI store. Why I have purchased all manner of (disgusting) energy bars. And why I woke up this morning and took an anti-Malaria pill.
I'd feel like a badass if I didn't have people offering me helpful information like: "My grandpa did that climb when he was 73," "Don't forget to moisturize," and "Good idea. My cousin lost 15 pounds doing that climb."
Great. It's a geriatric fat camp. If I don't make it to the top, Ima lie and say I did.
Pressure aside, I am excited to see the mountain, to see Shannon, and to see if anyone in our tour group will admit to wearing them funny underpants...
--Melissa
safe travels, champ. xo.
Posted by: Clemens | June 27, 2008 at 23:58
You go girl. I hiked Kili in 2000 when I was 51, overweight and not in the best shape of my life. It's just a long tedious walk. Screw the energy bars, buy some Snickers or your other favorite candy bars. Take dry juice mix so staying hydrated is interesting, bring stuff to read or entertain youself (and a reading light) and take music to listen to while walking to make the time pass. You'll love South Africa--I hope you're going to Cape Town, it's truly a world class city with much more interesting slums than SF. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.
Posted by: Marilyn | June 28, 2008 at 00:28
Spotted. M at the chic outdoorsy store. Please, she's about as outdoor as my Marc Jacobs Open Back Peep Toe Pump. She's clearly running from something. But what? I'll never tell. You know you love me. Xoxo, GossipGirl
Posted by: GossipGirl | July 01, 2008 at 09:17
I've got something to say about 'funny underwear', but like you gossipgirl, I'll never tell either.
Posted by: cyndi | July 07, 2008 at 09:10