FELLOW CLIMBERS

Top athletes:

Martina:  she did not act like a world-class star, asking for special treatment; she was one of the climbers from the start--eating, camping, getting cold and wet, even using the loo (as all the Brits called them).  Kevin Bacon tried to climb Kili a few years ago and ordered in a heliocopter to take him off the mountain!  We had lots of time to bond with Martina on the trails and in the mess tent.  Martina plans to install solar on her Aspen home--so we will be in touch about that idea--cool!.  She planned to play tennis at Uhuru Peak on the summit.  Only 1 racket came through customs, so Dave suggested she hit it against the sign at the top--an idea she liked.

Michael Teuber:  German Gold Medalist paraOlympiian, paralyzed from waist, but using special technology to move his feet:  very sweet and encouraging to all of us; German film crew climbed with us to make a doucmentary which you will all see in a few weeks. 

Gail H:  British Olympic Gold Medalist, badmiton:  sweet, unassuming and very encouraging;

Nicholas:  Greek Olympian, shooting: (Nick is pretty famous in Greece, where his wife won the Gold Medal-javilin during the 2000 Olympics in Athens!)  we hit it off at Heathrow where we all met ages ago; Nick googled me before the climb and loved our two TV interviews on our blog.  He thought we were very organized because he saw our clothes spread out in our living room (we were the least organized!).  I organized a prayer circle every day befpre we left camp, which Nick really appreciated.  Martina also bonded with Nick, especially when Nick gave her a quick back massage during a break on the trail and she said "how do I say I love you in Greek!"

South Africans:  great and fun; very connected to Dave and me:  Bibi and Babu, which means grandmother/grandfather in Swahili.
English:  Karen and I connected over the Law of Attraction and she gave me a healing for my eyes (flashes, etc.from the altitude) at Mawenzi Tarn (14,000 ft) in the snow; Denise, a very fit 40-something had to descend as we headed to our highest camp due to altitude.  Porters helped her 4-5 hour climb down, where she was met by an ambulance.  We met her on our last day at KIA lodge.      
     Allana:  gave me her fleece sleeping bag blanket, when mine got wet!

This is just a partial list:  everyone was wonderful and the bonding of our group was special and supportive of all;