I was pumped for the afternoon hike. At the last minute I decided to join Joseph and Logan for the hike to Epimaque’s house. We were to meet his parents and some of his extended family. Oh yeah, and I thought I was in shape. Ha.
The first signs of trouble came when I took note of Epimaque’s pace. The kid was running up the mountain, leaping from one rutted out side of the goat path to the other. He makes this hike home at least twice a month. This one would be my first and last.
You know how some old-timers used to claim they had to walk to school every morning and it was uphill both ways? Well, I was always skeptical…and always thought it didn’t sound that bad. Karma caught up with me the other day and unleashed her fury. Yeah, it’s bad. It’s bad on your knees, shins, quads, and self-esteem. It’s no wonder heart disease is all but unheard of in this country. Women abound carry 20 gallon used cooking oil containers full of water on their heads twice a day….up the sheer side of a cliff….and then eat around 1000 calories worth of beans and rice. I will never complain again.
We (I) did make it though. And there was a hot lunch of beans and cassava bread awaiting us. It was heaven….beautiful views and kind, hospitable people eager to cater to our blisters and aching lungs. And it was completely worth it. Much like everything has been lately….it may not easy, but in the end I wouldn’t think twice.
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