Everything Random

This is the hike of my life.

This is the starting point of our climb, and if you can see that monastery up there, up in the clouds, is the destination.
I really never thought I was prepared for this. At the start, I was optimistic that I could. Then as we go higher, my legs hurt and I am catching my breath all the time.

I have participated in many hikes before, but this one has been the first since probably ten years, and I have not been cardio training for this.

This place in the picture above was the first time that I said to myself, maybe it is time to quit. Both Ritwik and Sayak are already far ahead. Ken, the tour guide, was very generous. He stayed with me.

Then I kept on stopping every now and then. As we climbed, my anxiety levels were up. I was breathing through my mouth as my nose was clogged. The air became thinner and the climb, while very rewarding, became less tolerable. Ken told me we will be able to get to a better place where the trail is quite flat before it gets up again.

The end is almost near but still a long way to go. I said to myself, I have already seen it, maybe I will just wait here. But Sayak and Ritwik waved at the other end. And I was encouraged to prod on. This was the second time I thought of quitting.

So I continued walking, but I thought my legs would give away. I was panting, literally, especially when I started to climb again. There were two old hikers taking their time, and they did it this far. What a shame if this will be the time that I quit.

Then the path becomes a steep going down. Until this waterfall is on site.

Then there is another big climb awaiting. To the final destination. This is the first time I doubted my strength and ability, I was just too tired. I was thinking maybe this is enough, I have already seen the monastery from afar! This view:

Almost there and too tired. Ken may not be able to understand if I will tell him just go ahead. I will just stay here. Haha.

So I continued. I was too tired and sleepy when I got up there. I do not know, maybe I no longer have the energy, or maybe the place’s energy is just too much for me.

Ritwik and Sayak are already waiting for me. We will climb the monastery from the entrance and see the inside details of the temple. I went to three rooms and I realized I just can’t take it anymore. I told them I’d just wait for them at the “lobby” of the monastery.

I was both tired and anxious. Will this be my end? Will I die in Bhutan? As I was pondering on my fears while looking at the view, I feel relaxed. I drank water and my strength seem to come back.  Just in time for Ritwik, Sayak, and Ken to come back after completing the rest of the monastery tour. Just before I knew it, we were now ready to go down.

Going down was a lot better. I gained strength as well as momentum. I was able to go down smoothly and no longer feared the ups and downs of the climb. As a matter of fact, I managed to catch up with them and even took a picture with our guide, probably the only reason why I was able to endure the whole climb and the only primary support that made me finish the climb.

Despite the ease of going down, i still felt very tired as we reached the bottom of the mountain, our starting point, and here, the three of us, Sayak, Ritwik, and myself had our picture taken to celebrate the climb.

Thank God for friends.
Thank God for guides.
Thank you Lord for accompanying me in this climb.
Amen