Pole-pole

Pole-pole

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

That is Swahili (you pronounce the ‘e’) for slowly, slowly.  L’at, l’at in Hebrew. This is how you walk up the mountain. We are practicing it our first day.  Take a few steps, rest.  We are already starting higher than I have, more or less, ever been. So, pole-pole.  I take this seriously. My guide advises me to stop when I feel my respiration gets ahead of myself.  This is advice I will use the whole trip.  I realize that moving quickly.. that ego to make it.. is one of the causes for why younger, more athletic people often fail to summit.  Pole-pole.


Pole pole is also the cultural approach here.  They also call it Kili-time.  Things in Tanzania just go pole-pole. Don’t get too excited about anything. It all takes time. Pole-pole.

Want to get the most recent articles from me in your inbox? Sign up here.

Leave a Comment

More Articles