[The Jeep we took up the Mountain]We woke up at 4:15am excited to start the day because we were driving up the mountain again, this time to hike down it. There are not many moments when I have felt more adventurous. We drove up the mountain as the sun peaked over the horizon, and shot it’s colorful rays into the dark clouds. Roger sent us on this trip with two trusted men in a jeep. One of them knew a little English, so he explained to me the best he could that we were first going to pick up two more jungle guides. The sun had completely risen when we stopped to wait about 30 minutes for our 2 extra jungle guides to come. We all rolled out of the back of the jeep, feeling so relieved for the opportunity to regain our composure. Our stomachs certainly were happy for the rest. Almost everyone was nauseous from the curvy bumpy ride.
A young boy walked by with a black lab puppy on a rope leash. It was so cute, and I looked at it with a Oh-I-really-want-to-hold-you-but-I-shouldn’t-because-neither-of-us-have-had-a-rabbis-vaccine face, and our driver read my face and called out to the boy for me to hold the puppy anyways. So after a few minutes cuddling with the puppy, and taking in several deep breaths looking out into the valley to resettle my stomach, our two extra jungle guides emerged from the village. Roger told us that they were so in tune with the forest that they could smell a tiger if it were near.
[A little girl we met as we waited for our other two jungle guides.]
Here is the Jurassic Park Theme song for you to listen to as you read:
We took another short drive to where we would start our hike. We start by walking in between fields of tea. Now by this point, I had to go pee, and I knew I couldn’t be the only one. So I asked our guide who knew the most English, “Do you know where we can use the bathroom? (crap, they don’t use the word “bathroom”) Um, I mean the toilet…even though I know there isn’t a toilet out here, but really we just have to go pee.” Gracefully worded… I know. He was like, “Yes, Yes. I understand”, and then he pointed us girls to the tea field while he took the boys further down the path to do their business. Us four girl just squatted in a circle and peed in the middle of an open tea field. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.
We came to the opening of jungle, and our English speaking guide told us that we must be silent from here on out. All I had brought to India was sandals and flip-flops, which I couldn’t wear on this hike, so Roger had generously let Carlie and I borrow so of his own hiking boots. I walked through the forest like it was a wonderland with the team. All of us knew that at any moment we could spot a tiger, panther, leopard, or an elephant. On one hand, it felt like danger could be around any corner, or behind any bush. On the other hand, we had three Indian jungle guides for the six of us, so there was no sense in feeling any kind of fear except wonder.
I slowly felt it coming on, those leather shoes were too much for my soft feet. Every step began to feel like someone was inside my boots sawing into my heel with a serrated knife. (gruesome I know) I tried my best to keep quiet for a long time. I knew I wasn’t the only one getting a little uncomfortable, so I tried my best not to mention it until we stopped for a water break and I got to take my shoes off. I took off my socks, to find sufficient proof of my pain on both my heels. I told Grace, “Oh, Grace, I wish I could walk down the rest of the mountain on clouds. I don’t think I can bear to put these shoes back on.” I couldn’t even manage to get the shoes back on my feet. Brent donated his socks, and I decided that I should just walk down the rest of the mountain in a double layer of socks, and pray I don’t step on a briar…
(And for those of you who are thinking, “What a big baby” right now. I’ll have you know that it has been almost 2 months now since this day, and I still can’t wear shoes that touch my heels. I self diagnosed it later to be an Achilles tendon injury.)
I started walking down towards our guides in my socks, and our English speaking guide asked me what was wrong. I explained to him that I couldn’t bear to put my shoes back on. Then began a beautiful moment of Indian kindness and hospitality, he took his shoes off and gave them to me. They were cushy sandals, with big soft straps. He gave the leather boots I was wearing to one of the other guides, and that guide wore flip-flops down the rest of the mountain. I began to walk in the cushy sandals, and they literally felt like clouds. I couldn’t believe it. God answered my prayer through the kindness of our jungle guides.
I nearly forgot about the pain completely with those sandals on. I’m so grateful.
That day we quickly packed up our things. I double checked the rooms to make sure we got everything, and we were on our way home.
Mid-way through the trip home, we went to a bird sanctuary. Check out the bird and crocodile pictures. It was so cool.
Half-way home Roger got a call his cell phone, and looked back at us and asked, "Did anyone leave their wallet?" I thought, "for sure not me... I double checked everything." I began to search through my bookbag and purse, and there was no wallet to be found. Roger remained completely calm, and he said, "don't worry, we'll get it to you". I didn't know how in the world he would figure out how to get it to me, but I went ahead and trusted him.
but, really!? I left my wallet in the tree house back in the jungle!? So frustrating!
[Rebecca and Carlie in the middle of the hike]
[Posing with the baby cow after the hike...see that mountain behind us? That's the one.]
[Those black things are fruit bats. aww, "Stella Luna" :) ]
