A Swim Beneath Kilimanjaro
Some days while traveling feel carefully planned.
Others simply happen.
Today was one of those moments — a quiet afternoon at a swimming pool in Moshi, with Mount Kilimanjaro rising in the distance. Massive. Calm. Almost unreal. The kind of view that makes you pause, breathe, and forget where you are for a second.
The scenery, however, did a lot of heavy lifting.
The pool complex itself showed its age. Maintenance felt like an afterthought. There were no lockers, the changing rooms were cluttered and untidy, and the showers were dirty, offering no privacy and nowhere to place your belongings. Using them felt less like a refresh and more like an exercise in patience.
The toilets were even more challenging — open, exposed, and unfortunately not clean. You become part of the scenery yourself, exchanging greetings with passers-by while trying to mind your own business. It wasn’t exactly inviting, and I avoided them entirely.
The entrance fee was 7,000 TZS — not exactly cheap for me, but at least basic cleanliness and care should be expected.
The pool itself looked worn, almost as if it had quietly surrendered to time. Cracks, faded edges, and that unmistakable feeling of something slowly falling apart. Still, the weather was perfect. Warm air and a calm afternoon atmosphere.
And then there was Kilimanjaro.
That view softened everything. It didn’t erase the flaws, but it reframed the experience. Some places aren’t remembered for their comfort or polish — they’re remembered for the moment, the light, and what you saw while you were there.
Travel often lives in that space between disappointment and wonder.
📍 Moshi, Tanzania
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