Dawa tells me that it is okay to fool around if you’re
married, for both the husband and wife, as long as you
tell the other person. I told Dawa that in the U.S., with
that kind of honesty, the next step would be an attorney.
My feet are really getting hammered. They need to toughen
up. But then my whole body does. I had considered wearing
either my heavy, leather mountaineering boats, or the
lighter leather boots for this trip. Taking both pair was
out of the question. I settled on the heavy leathers
because of the hard use they would get on the trail; and
also, for the possibility of climbing Mt. Mera and thus
the need to use crampons. They are stiff, despite having
owned them close to ten years. My feet are breaking into
the boots rather than the other way around. However with
the rocky terrain, having the extra ankle support as well
as a heavy sole to protect my feet from the constant
assault of sharp trail rock made them a wise choice.
I am constantly aware that despite the people’s poverty,
and in sharp contrast to it, they love to laugh.
My clothes are in great need of washing; and
the village of Sete will
provide the opportunity. My body also could use a cleaning
and a well deserved rest. Fortunately Sete is only a half
day away, unfortunately Sete is straight up.
In this land miles do not count, only terrain and the
number of hours it may take to get there. In my case
there is a
third factor: the energy quotient.
I feel pretty happy
that I am able to keep up generally with the working porters on the
trail. It is that innate, stubborn tenacity I was born with, and it often out lasts my
physical abilities.
