wow, this night is cold, I thought, as I tried to pull the thin, vibrant green sleeping bag over my nose. I was hoping to warm the air some before it took hold in my lungs. The rumbling of horses hooves, and the sheep in the distant, gave this night a farm quality. But the trickling of the river, and the vibrant stars, reminded everyone involved that this was a bit more special. Coffee, that is all I could taste and smell, this a side effect of the altitude, and a pressurized can of the instant stuff. The explosion witnessed by all around the dinner table, as I lifted the lid to take in the aroma, sent my flying and my tent mates into hysterics. Their tears of laughter would be followed by own tears of nestle, extra dark roast well into the early hours of the morning.
In Retrospect: 6 blogs, in 10 days. …. #2
The perfectly red tents would be white in the morning, and as the sun lifted it’s head above the mountains, everything would become golden, even the river. That morning, with the first breath, I left all my worries behind, and with the air came a renewing sense of life, reminded of the vast world, and the beauty in which we all exist. The day was welcomed, with herds of alpaca, and locals chewing coca, and posing for pristine photos and hopes of well earned candies. We would share the digital images and exchange smiles, language is no barrier to the human condition. And children especially, their sense of eagerness, their ability to live in the moment, their value for life, without the fear of loss. This I am reminded of as I look through the photos and into those faces.
Poverty is of the mind, and of the spirit I realize. They sat this is something only those with money can say. But in my travels I realize this, not only do all people deserve our respect, but we can learn from them. I am reminded that people back home need to smile more.
The accent that second day takes us to an altitude of 14,600 feet. I am happy to sit and enjoy a lunch, lomo soltado, rice, and tea. This time I make sure to be careful with the coffee. We hike into the evening hours, we find rest again in our tents, outside the living space of one of our porters. We play Gin Rummy into the night. We laugh, we exchange stories of our now distant lives back home. We all feel again like children, we sleep better this night. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings..
Beautiful writing. I can see and feel it all.
Dad