Mountain Journey
378 Day of the year 2 in the sign of Altun
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As much as I had hoped that we would have travelled further, another storm today forced us to take a break. I am slowly understanding why so many of my colleagues have refrained from such an endeavor. Without the support of the mountain inhabitants, nobody else would find their way. They seem to predict the changes in the weather, otherwise I cannot explain why our guide forced us to rest before the storm started. She is a strange girl, but helpful. Even during the storm, she had her gaze fixed on the ruins. When I asked her why she was doing this, her answer was: ‘Because the ancestors asked for it’.
I do not know what that means. Their people reported that they never go there as it would be too dangerous of a journey and there is nothing there but stones and ancient gods. Perhaps I will find an answer when I can look at the murals that the people told us about. This trip has already brought so many new insights that I can count it as a success.
Especially the haemostatic herb that Eilka showed me when one of the mountain goats was injured. I will try to grow the plant on our land, but it could also be an important commodity if I fail. However, none of this will stop me from pursuing my goal. I want to know what secrets the ruins hold. Hopefully, we can cover another distance tomorrow. There is not much food here and we have to be careful with our supplies. But good planning still made it possible to keep us on course. There are exciting and exhausting days ahead of us. I should go to sleep.
Eilka sings by the fire. It’s a song in their language. I have to ask her what it means; it sounds so sad. And yet I’m appreciating falling asleep with this song every night.
May the Otra watch over us.
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Expedition leader
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Abana Sitendra
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Member of the Royal Academy of Science