Sometimes trekkers from Western countries like to wax philosophical with the Tanzanian porters and guides, telling them they live in a magical place, and it must be great to just be able to climb and use the mountain. I have heard them say, “It must be a spiritual place to wake up everyday and see Kilimanjaro looming in the background.”
Don’t get me wrong, locals love Kilimanjaro for what it supplies them – water for their family, and money from tourists. Most of guides climb Kilimanjaro for one thing: MONEY. That’s it. These people are trying to feed and educate their families and be able to afford luxuries like clothes and food. It’s a source of revenue for everybody.
If their were no tourists climbing the mountain, only a very small group of locals would probably be climbing the mountain for entertainment. Fortunately we have that luxury in the Western World.
Tourists Skip Kenya, Head to Tanzania
Climb Kilimanjaro for The Children's Society
Mt. Kilimanjaro Forum Thread for the week of October 16, 2006
World Leaders Climb Kilimanjaro
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