So it had taken me a while to get here, l had asked for directions in town at the local market, which was bustling with the locals going about picking up their supplies, than they would head back to their village.
I had overheard a conversation and noted that a wiry looking fellow had spoken a few words in english, so l excitedly wandered over to ask him directions on how to get to this particulararea, in a very quick motion he flicked out a pen and paper and went about drawing what l figured was a very detailed map, how anyone could concentrate with so much commotion going on was staggering, l could barely hear myself think, but l must say l was impressed with the detail that was going into this map.
I almost began to feel like l was on a quest to find some hidden treasure. He than uttered something in my ear and pointed at the map, l nodded in response but was unable to make out what exactly he was talking about, the noise around us was making me feel slightly nauseas, in-between the smells and the livestock that was being boiled alive in front of me and than barbequed, l had passed out and the next thing l knew, here l was surrounded by onlookers all curious to know whats happened to the Western guy on the floor.
To make matters worse l could barely breath the air was so tight, at that moment in time the man with the map tapped me on the chest and pointed his finger toward the centre of the map, you must get going he motioned to me, so l was helped up of the ground and given some water, still wobbly on my feet l managed to grab the map and after grabbing some supplies and thanking the locals for their help l started making my way towards my destination.
I figured l could make it there before nightfall, boy was l wrong. 2 days had passed, fatigued and totally spent, there was an air of despair hanging over me, l collapsed in a heap and awoke 3 hours later, the wind and rain cutting to the bone, chills running up and down my body, l forced myself up onto my feet, the rain so heavy in my eyes it was difficult to see 2 feet in front of me.
But l couldn’t bare the thought of being out here another night. So l pushed on through the driving rain, any thoughts of time and days had eluded me, totally in the moment, it may have been hours or days but finally l arrived, the smoke from the open fires drifting out of the chimneys into the valley stirred my senses. It was a sight to behold. Magic Mountain.Darren J.
