I
like my consistency. Fifteen days after I discovered that trekking
was not for me and here I was, with boots on and a backpack on my
shoulders, for another one. Before taking the decision, I bombarded
the person in the agency with long list of questions: "It is
very difficult?", "How many hours walking?", "What
level of difficulty?", "And the landscape? What kind is it?
"..He patiently answered all my questions and my soul was
appeased. In fact I had no alternative. I chose Luang Nam Tha- a
small village in northern Laos just because of the trek, and wanted
to make sure that it wasn't a mistake.
Day 1
The first day started in the market. As we were walking through the stands of fruits, insects and other things that we could not identify, our trek-guides bought lunch. Like any good market, at each step, we were filled with smells and sounds that almost touched us physically.
After this moment of pause, we took off in the minivan for the beginning of the trek. A dirt road that cuts through the beautiful mountains. Green and red are the dominant colors. A forest that I have long dreamed of visiting, was in front of me. My age made me grow seeing the films of Vietnam War. Now I had the opportunity to experience that kind of landscape.
After a day's walk, we reached the first village where we slept. Along the way were the images of burnt ground, lunch in the woods and broad view of the forest. When we reached the final destination, we all had a smile of someone who spent a great day.
Village
And the village was hard to conquer. Despite the friendly smiles, we were a few strangers who would spend a night there. On the other hand, the village was an ethnic village that was “alive”. Full of satellite dishes, bikes parked underneath the houses, and modern appliances et al.
But this became a unique experience. This was a real village. Not one where everything is arranged to meet the expectations of tourists. The world has evolved and technology has reached everywhere. Here instead of it transforming the way of life, blended with it. Over a period of time, the shyness faded and disappeared altogether when we shared a magic pot of Lao-Lao on a full moon night.
Day 2
In the morning they informed us: "soon we will begin ..." Those clouds promised rain... and they delivered. We only had enough time to get into the dense jungle. A green that fills all the space. The trek is barely visible, and this is such a time where having a guide is the right choice. "Put the raincoats!" Warns us 5 minutes in advance. But he could do little. The battle was lost since the beginning. Shortly after that, I was a all soaked.
Time for walking and slipping. To fall and rise. The brown earth was all over us, but the water cleaned the dirt. I realize how difficult is the ground in these conditions. A struggle for balance and move a few meters. But every clear space, we saw a landscape that stole our breath. It was a complete experience. It's called rain forest for a good reason. There is something about the rain that makes it even more beautiful.
We crossed a creek to get to a shelter of bamboo. Lost in the woods. Perfect place to recharge your energies and have lunch. Amid drops, we throw our hands up the sticky rice and accompaniments. The bamboo shoot in a spicy sauce is divine.
Meal taken, I realize that part of my waterproof is red. Mmmm ... I think I know what it is and check my arm to be sure. Nothing. Oh .. wait ... the end of my pants are also red. I roll them up and ... a fat leech dwells in my socks. The guide quickly takes it off. I feel raped. It drank my blood and I did not feel anything. Not a bite to say "hey I'm here and I'll feed myself with a bit of you."
With this, begins the second stage of the trek: outrunning the leeches. It's amazing how fast they move and attack you. But the adversities create a spirit of camaraderie and in the end we were survivors of an unequal struggle.
The last part of the trek was done without rain or leeches. We have come to a village by the river. We had a sight that seemed it would end in heaven, such was the beauty of the green that surrounded us. Arriving at the village our feet were asking for freedom. We took off the soaked boots and stepped into our flip flops.
But the rain still had made some damage, and our van was a few hundred meters far. Time to venture into the mud. Something that some flip-flops could not bear. Just as well. They gave me the opportunity to enjoy the taste of this red earth with my feet ...
I like my consistency. It is her that takes me to the next experience. A decision is only a decision if it can be undone. I was glad that 15 days after realizing that trekking was not for me, here I was, with my feet in the mud and happy for the two days I spent walking...
Day 1
The first day started in the market. As we were walking through the stands of fruits, insects and other things that we could not identify, our trek-guides bought lunch. Like any good market, at each step, we were filled with smells and sounds that almost touched us physically.
After this moment of pause, we took off in the minivan for the beginning of the trek. A dirt road that cuts through the beautiful mountains. Green and red are the dominant colors. A forest that I have long dreamed of visiting, was in front of me. My age made me grow seeing the films of Vietnam War. Now I had the opportunity to experience that kind of landscape.
After a day's walk, we reached the first village where we slept. Along the way were the images of burnt ground, lunch in the woods and broad view of the forest. When we reached the final destination, we all had a smile of someone who spent a great day.
Village
And the village was hard to conquer. Despite the friendly smiles, we were a few strangers who would spend a night there. On the other hand, the village was an ethnic village that was “alive”. Full of satellite dishes, bikes parked underneath the houses, and modern appliances et al.
But this became a unique experience. This was a real village. Not one where everything is arranged to meet the expectations of tourists. The world has evolved and technology has reached everywhere. Here instead of it transforming the way of life, blended with it. Over a period of time, the shyness faded and disappeared altogether when we shared a magic pot of Lao-Lao on a full moon night.
Day 2
In the morning they informed us: "soon we will begin ..." Those clouds promised rain... and they delivered. We only had enough time to get into the dense jungle. A green that fills all the space. The trek is barely visible, and this is such a time where having a guide is the right choice. "Put the raincoats!" Warns us 5 minutes in advance. But he could do little. The battle was lost since the beginning. Shortly after that, I was a all soaked.
Time for walking and slipping. To fall and rise. The brown earth was all over us, but the water cleaned the dirt. I realize how difficult is the ground in these conditions. A struggle for balance and move a few meters. But every clear space, we saw a landscape that stole our breath. It was a complete experience. It's called rain forest for a good reason. There is something about the rain that makes it even more beautiful.
We crossed a creek to get to a shelter of bamboo. Lost in the woods. Perfect place to recharge your energies and have lunch. Amid drops, we throw our hands up the sticky rice and accompaniments. The bamboo shoot in a spicy sauce is divine.
Meal taken, I realize that part of my waterproof is red. Mmmm ... I think I know what it is and check my arm to be sure. Nothing. Oh .. wait ... the end of my pants are also red. I roll them up and ... a fat leech dwells in my socks. The guide quickly takes it off. I feel raped. It drank my blood and I did not feel anything. Not a bite to say "hey I'm here and I'll feed myself with a bit of you."
With this, begins the second stage of the trek: outrunning the leeches. It's amazing how fast they move and attack you. But the adversities create a spirit of camaraderie and in the end we were survivors of an unequal struggle.
The last part of the trek was done without rain or leeches. We have come to a village by the river. We had a sight that seemed it would end in heaven, such was the beauty of the green that surrounded us. Arriving at the village our feet were asking for freedom. We took off the soaked boots and stepped into our flip flops.
But the rain still had made some damage, and our van was a few hundred meters far. Time to venture into the mud. Something that some flip-flops could not bear. Just as well. They gave me the opportunity to enjoy the taste of this red earth with my feet ...
I like my consistency. It is her that takes me to the next experience. A decision is only a decision if it can be undone. I was glad that 15 days after realizing that trekking was not for me, here I was, with my feet in the mud and happy for the two days I spent walking...
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