The Expedition

I hear screaming in the morning. It's Meuoy screaming as one of the boys chases her with something in his hand. It turns out to be this beautiful caterpillar.

On the first day to the school I had pointed to a mountain and told Ramsey that I wanted to do an expedition up one of those mountains. He said that a few of his students lived at the base of one of the mountains near his school and that they may be willing to take us.

Somehow, a month later, my request is coming true. So, Ramsey, Nick, the students, and I are going to climb the mountain today. The students of the mountain will lead the way for the others. Yesterday the students had prepared enough food for all of us, and the plan today was to picnic when we got to the top. The approach to the base of the mountain is a 1.5 hour hike, but we get a pickup truck to take us closer to the foot of the mountain.

Approaching the mountain at 9am.

The students are carrying up fish, salad, rice, noodles, spicy chilli sauce, water and condiments, as well as containers to serve and eat the food in. I notice that Somat is also carrying his guitar up!
It will be a 4 hour hike uphill and through some very slippery, muddy and uneven terrain. A machete will be needed to hack through some of the brush. The guitar seems ridiculous to me, but at the same time, it seems such a positive act that it brings a smile to my face every time I catch a glimpse of him with it. Everyone except for Nick (in Keens), Ghet (in sneakers) and I (in runners), is wearing flip flops for the expedition. Again, this seems a bit crazy with the slippery footing. A bunch of them have also brought umbrellas in case it rains, and some of the girls are wearing their traditional Lao skirts. In Canada, this type of climb would have people in their Gore-Tex windproof, waterproof breathable rain gear, hiking boots, hiking poles, water packs and strategizing to pack as light as possible with processed foods in gel or power bar form.

On top of that San has been having bad menstrual cramps all yesterday night and today. I can't believe she still decided to do the expedition. I can tell by the tight look on her face that she's in pain. I show her some ibuprofen and motion to her stomach and said "medicine", and she responds with "I want eat" and takes it from me gratefully. Here's San with Somat's guitar after the painkillers take effect.

As well, Fullmoon and Apple have diarrhoea. This climb must be hard on them, and they don't look all that energetic. I am surprised and touched at the solidarity.

Some scenes on the way up.

Rest stop.

Fungi.

Nick loafing.

A snail.

What?

Chameleon or lizard?

Whoa...A single marijuana plant!

At the top I had expected a huge forest, but instead I am greeted by this weird rocky landscape covered in lichen and moss. There are marshy areas as well as wildflowers and individual trees sprinkling the landscape. Though it hasn't rained yet, the sky is looking murky now and there is a mist in the air that predicts fog and possible rain.

As I approach a white wall of mist where the students seem to have lined up, I notice the wind getting much stronger. I then see that we've reached a cliff. We're at the edge of the mountain. As I approach a jagged part of the edge, I have to get down on my hands and knees to reach it because the wind is gusting so strongly that I feel in danger of being blown off the mountain.


So windy!

Other scenes from the summit.

We sit down for our picnic and it's very misty and cold. Everyone is in good spirits and huddled around the food. Near the end of the meal the wind begins blowing harder and it begins to rain. Some of the students are very poorly dressed and get drenched and are cold. As it begins to come down hard, we all abandon our picnic and food and run to a nearby cave. This cave turns out to be located down a vertical drop and most of us are reluctant to go down so we stay huddled and cold underneath shared umbrellas. Though I kinda feel bad for the shivering students, the situation is also kind of funny. I am wet, but fairly warm and cozy in my rain jacket, scarf, and brimmed hat. I came prepared for once!

We finally make the decision to collect our picnic and go down the mountain. Hiking down warms everyone up and I am surprised that everyone is still smiling, laughing, some singing, and still in good cheer. I give San two more ibuprofens and she still manages a smile and a joke as we descend. I'm really impressed by her spunk, determination, as well as great attitude; many people would let their periods, let alone cramps, be reason enough to excuse themselves from a whole day of mountain climbing. These kids are amazing!

They keep asking me how I am and I honestly answer "very happy". They are reassured that I am having a good time and I begin singing and humming and making nonsense sounds on the way down. There were a couple of hairy moments when I almost fell off of slippery down slopping logs that served as bridges over the thick brush. Mai caught me once. At one point a log was placed across a 4 meter wide and 7 meter deep crevasse and I thought I might slip off, but I tried not to over think it and just crossed without getting psyched out. Ack...I have no travel insurance!

Mai, Apple, Fullmoon, Somat and I get separated from the group at one point and we get a bit lost, but rendezvous with the lead pack later on.

We pass by the marijuana plant again and Apple takes a fistful of branches with him. I wonder what he will do with it.

Students also collect snails, and we collect corn as well at the base.

There is no truck waiting for us this time and we have to walk all the way back to the school. We don't make it back until 6:30pm and everyone is tired and hungry. The corn is delicious.

An awesome day.