10 July 2023: The return trip and some final thoughts...

This was departure day.  We had a leisurely breakfast, then got all packed up before spending the afternoon at the pool. The water was REALLY cold, so we never really got in.  At 5:30, we left for the airport and the long journey home.  At check-in, they gave me a hand-written lounge pass.  I realized right at check in that my stomach wasn't right, so I took 2 imodium.  In the lounge, JT realized his wasn't right either, so he took some as well.  We got on our flight, watched Hotel Transylvania, and got a little sleep.  In the lounge in Amsterdam, we got some breakfast, then boarded for the USA.  We got a couple of movies in and some rest.  We managed a shower in the Detroit Lounge, plus lunch, then finally boarded for Orlando.   

I realize that's not the most exciting story, but I wrote it in my journal, so there you go.  I think it's important to note the stomach issues, because we were SO glad that didn't happen on the mountain.  I'm still not sure what actually caused it, but it could have been anything from the springs swim the day before to a bad batch of water to something we both ate.  Thankfully, it cleared up by the time we got home (and so glad I took the Imodium with me).  

So, all in all, this was 2 years in the making.  We began our planning of the trip well before we finally went... spent months accumulating and testing gear, training to be in the best physical shape possible, then, as quick as it came, it was over.  It's really hard to sum up the emotions when we got back, but they do say post-summit depression is a thing.  I wouldn't say we were depressed, but wow, when you spend so much time and effort working towards a goal, once you complete it, it's hard to go back to normal life.  It definitely made me lazy at the gym in the following weeks!  I'm very thankful I got to have this experience, and that I got to go with my cousin as well.  Travel changes you, as do hard experiences and overcoming challenges - and this trip had some of all of that.  Perhaps I'll get more into posting on here now that I'm on a roll, but we'll see - I think there's only 3 total readers, so... but hey, it's now here so that one day, anyone can read it and maybe learn something, or at least be entertained.  Until next time, asante sana, thanks for reading!

One more summit photo!

Europe Comfort Plus upgrade on the flight to AMS

The only time we really saw the mountain!  (I do have to go back to Kenya so we can get the famous view, but that's clearly another trip)