"Eventually night will come. That's what we thought about. Night will come and we will get some rest. Now we have to get through the day, get through it somehow to escape from the heat and the sun. Then we'll stop -- afterward. What we've got to do now is keep plugging right along behind so many others just like us and in front of many others. That is what we have to do."
~ Juan Rulfo's story 'Talpa' from the book Burning Plain & Other Stories
Recommended by a co-worker to read...but only after my trip.
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Day 2: Zapotan - Cabo
Felipe, a co-worker, had warned me about Day 2. Last year, on his first trip to Talpa his friend had barely made it up and over. Needless to say, I was a little intimidated. Rightfully so. Our highest peak. Our hottest day.
We had seen the route to our summit pass mid-day on day one. 'El Cabro'; which we would pass via the summit to the hiker's right.
We had seen the route to our summit pass mid-day on day one. 'El Cabro'; which we would pass via the summit to the hiker's right.
'El Cabro' looming in the background. Day 1
'El Cabro'. Day 2
As we reached one of the highest summits of our entire trip, we hiked in silence. We often hiked in silence; nearby another person, but absolutely silent. Only hearing the rhythmic tapping of our walking sticks and feet shuffling through the dust. Spending valuable time inside our own heads. Day 2 is when I battled most with myself. Reminding myself that I made the choice to participate in this trip. Quietly praising my body for being so strong. Sometimes thinking nothing at all. Wanting to get into the truck. Rationalizing to myself why it was ok to just get in for the next portion. Loosing the desire each time I actually saw the truck.
Oftentimes, remembering Sam's Uncle Chuck. Telling myself to be more like Uncle Chuck; optimistic and positive. Learning the evening before my trip that he had passed away, I held him and my family close.
I could only imagine what was going through everyone else's heads.
We would make a turn around a switch back, confident that it was the summit. Alerted by a scream of frustration or slur of Spanish curse words to keep walking. To keep the momentum moving upwards. We never stopped.
I never complained aloud.
My most difficult moments were shuffling down the mountain. Now on a single track trail with loose rocks which were covered by old leaves. I wondered if wearing Chaco sandals was the best decision; wondering what lurked under the leaves. Scorpions, snakes, spiders. I had to concentrate extremely hard; calculating each of my steps. Every so often, someone would slide and we would all quickly turn to see the result; knowing the steepness of the mountain just off the trail's edge. I continued checking in with myself. Recognizing that I could be slightly dehydrated. Feeling dizzy, grouchy. Literally pinching myself to make sure I was on the proper planet; feeling euphoric & high. Blisters formed on my hand from gripping my walking stick so tightly and a heat rash appeared on my belly.
We slept under a tree around 2:00 p.m and ate lunch. Our 'atajo' (shortcut) did not work out in our favor; they never really do. We had gained and lost more elevation than the alternative route; which is flatter, but slightly longer.
In the middle of our nap, a yell from a car. It was another family member of Tio. We had seen 'Aunt Rash'; another one of his family members mid day on day one. Weird. We accepted the watermelon he offered; gobbling it up rapidly.
We were on our way to Cabo. We entered town along the cobblestone streets at sunset. The pueblo stopped and watched us. Immediately we had people offer us a place to shower, the church door was opened for us to sleep in, and we were invited for dinner.
Just as we settled into our sleeping bags for the night, we were rattled awake by an earthquake. Instinct launching most of us out of the old church. Ana shuffling out in her undies. Learning the following day, it was a 5.11, centered nearby.
Oftentimes, remembering Sam's Uncle Chuck. Telling myself to be more like Uncle Chuck; optimistic and positive. Learning the evening before my trip that he had passed away, I held him and my family close.
I could only imagine what was going through everyone else's heads.
We would make a turn around a switch back, confident that it was the summit. Alerted by a scream of frustration or slur of Spanish curse words to keep walking. To keep the momentum moving upwards. We never stopped.
I never complained aloud.
My most difficult moments were shuffling down the mountain. Now on a single track trail with loose rocks which were covered by old leaves. I wondered if wearing Chaco sandals was the best decision; wondering what lurked under the leaves. Scorpions, snakes, spiders. I had to concentrate extremely hard; calculating each of my steps. Every so often, someone would slide and we would all quickly turn to see the result; knowing the steepness of the mountain just off the trail's edge. I continued checking in with myself. Recognizing that I could be slightly dehydrated. Feeling dizzy, grouchy. Literally pinching myself to make sure I was on the proper planet; feeling euphoric & high. Blisters formed on my hand from gripping my walking stick so tightly and a heat rash appeared on my belly.
We slept under a tree around 2:00 p.m and ate lunch. Our 'atajo' (shortcut) did not work out in our favor; they never really do. We had gained and lost more elevation than the alternative route; which is flatter, but slightly longer.
In the middle of our nap, a yell from a car. It was another family member of Tio. We had seen 'Aunt Rash'; another one of his family members mid day on day one. Weird. We accepted the watermelon he offered; gobbling it up rapidly.
We were on our way to Cabo. We entered town along the cobblestone streets at sunset. The pueblo stopped and watched us. Immediately we had people offer us a place to shower, the church door was opened for us to sleep in, and we were invited for dinner.
Just as we settled into our sleeping bags for the night, we were rattled awake by an earthquake. Instinct launching most of us out of the old church. Ana shuffling out in her undies. Learning the following day, it was a 5.11, centered nearby.
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The next morning; Day 3, we awoke early. Before the sun; in the cold, misty clouds. Before the pueblo arrived for mass. We walked to a nearby house for breakfast. Gravitating towards the warm wood fire. The husband and wife chatted us up as they cooked. They were so happy. So kind. Inviting us back anytime for breakfast in their house. Treating us as if we were family. He, re-assured me several times of the cleanliness of his house; encouraging me to take a look around. Telling me to take more pictures. We left them oranges, apples, coffee and other random snacks we had packed away in the truck. We also left them some pesos for their generosity.
This experience was the highlight of my trip. Finding my most spiritual moments shared with total strangers. Feeling refreshed by the experience. Recognizing that humans can take care of each other; even if they are total strangers.
It is our obligation.
And, we should do it more often.
This experience was the highlight of my trip. Finding my most spiritual moments shared with total strangers. Feeling refreshed by the experience. Recognizing that humans can take care of each other; even if they are total strangers.
It is our obligation.
And, we should do it more often.
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Day 3: My Arrival to Talpa de Allende; Face to Face with the Virgin coming soon!
Previous days of my Journey:
Still Hiking the Sierra Madre; End of Day 1
Hiking the Sierra Madre; Pilgrimage to Talpa de Allende
Previous days of my Journey:
Still Hiking the Sierra Madre; End of Day 1
Hiking the Sierra Madre; Pilgrimage to Talpa de Allende
