I am new to this whole trekking thing. My dad and I used to go to a National Park in Orange County when I was growing up, but I must have been about 8 or 9, and I seem to remember my dad carrying me if (and when) I got too tired. So, after 20 years, H and I have been on 2 or 3 treks together, much to the SURPRISE of everyone I know (including myself to be honest).
During the climb, I had silent conversations about how I really cannot do this, and then sometimes not so silent "baby steps up the mountain", "put one foot in front of the other and you will get there before you know it", and "this will be so worth it once you reach the top". H also encourages me which definitely helps. I think sometimes my face must say "get me outta here!".
It was a pretty exhausting time. The entire journey was about 13 hours, but the walking was about 10. We had to leave Yogjakarta at 10pm, and then we were driven to a house at the bottom of the volcano. We waited there until about 12.30am, and then we started walking up the volcano in the pitch black of night. There were about 15 of us. We walked and walked, and it was so steep. It was freezing cold, which we didn't think would be possible in 30 degree heat back in Jogja.
The hardest bit was at the top. By then it was almost 6am, we had been climbing for about 5 hours, the volcano was at it's steepest and it was all lava rock, ash and there were tufts of hot sulpher coming out of crevices in the rock. Slowly slowly, I made it up to the top. I had a little bit of a cry - part victory celebration, part exhaustion, and then I just took in the view. The sun was rising, and the view was spectacular!!
Trekking always reminds me that there are many trials and tribulations in life, but you just have to put one foot in front of the other, and make it through. It is a good experiential lesson.
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| Kami at the bottom of Mt Merapi |
Last night, just before I went to sleep the news was on. Scrolling past, under the newscasters talking heads was a message that said that a volcano erupted in Indonesia. Of course it didn't say which island or give any details. It is amazing how a few words that I probably wouldn't have noticed before, could have the immediate wake-up power of 10 cups of strong coffee guzzled black! I am assuming it wasn't YOUR volcano, right?? A little assurance for your one and only mother would be much appreciated. xox
ReplyDeleteHi Mom,
ReplyDeleteMount Sinabung in North Sumatra is erupting at the moment. Not Mount Merapi. We are not near Mount Merapi right now either. We're in the West of Sumatra.
Love you,
Sara