A Storm

This slow pilgrimage on two wheels exposes us to Mother Nature’s will. On top of Port Akbaital, at 4655 metres altitude, we dare to stop and take some pictures ignoring the weather forecasts that warned us of imminent snowstorms. The road is slowly getting worse as we make our way down and the weather is deteriorating. A freezing cold wind begins to blow and the snowflakes are becoming more and more copious. The situation becomes critical and we look for cover as we do not know how long the situation can go on for. The glacial temperatures immobilize our hands, face and feet while it accelerates our hearts while our minds are agitated. In the middle of strong winds and a strong snowstorm, we set up our tents and look for heat inside our sleeping sacks. Outside, the storm is still to go on for another hour. A short spell of good weather allows us to come out and contemplate the breathtaking landscape. After our ordeal, comes calm and some unexpected help. Two couples from Cataluña, expert drivers in their 4 wheel drive appear as if out on nowhere, they bring exotic Spanish goodies such as lomo, chorizo, hot coffee with a few drops of brandy and what is most important, their smiles and their most sincere friendship and understanding. Cris and Larisa, our most recent and temporary travel friends, were both surprised and pleased. We shared jokes, stories, and hopes under the freezing cold embrace of the mountain. We are offered everything they can offer so that we can spend a more comfortable night we, however, refuse their tempting proposal so as not to abuse their kindness. Machus is able to ring home for the first time in months thanks to their satellite telephone.
In the blink of an eye our metallic carriages are a mere memory of the past, we must simply await our reencounter in a less inhospitable place, perhaps over a nice fabada or some Catalan crème.
Night falls and the snow begins to draw an artistic work of art yet again. Our wet and tired bodies search for heat that is becoming increasingly more and more difficult to find. Tonight will be a cold night. Tonight, the hungry wolf howls accompanying the wind in a deadly duo because he knows that he is also a part of the landscape in the complete darkness.