There was a definite change in atmosphere on the truck after about 10 weeks. It's hard to pinpoint what caused this change. Some people had been on the truck for 10 weeks, some for 20 and some for only 2. We'd gone from the generally warm climates of Argentina and Brazil to the beauty but bleakness of the Andes. Both the altitude and the coldness were having an impact on us. We were also travelling further north and further into winter and so the days were getting shorter. Much shorter. Perhaps SAD (seasonal affectiveness disorder) was also affecting the group.
It's kind of natural to go to bed shortly after dark and to get up at sunrise. Now we were sheltering in our tents until well after sunrise, waiting for either the breakfast gong or for some general warmth in the atmosphere outside. Some motivation to get out of bed was required. Whereas previously we had stayed up in the evenings a while after dinner, entertaining ourselves with dance lessons, bridge playing, slacklining (more balance required), learning spanish, or drinking and chatting, we now scampered to our sleeping bags immediately after dinner. So we ended up spending up to twelve hours in bed - this can't be healthy.
This new pattern and atmosphere began in Tuzgle which is beyond doubt the coldest and windiest place we've been, but it has stayed with us even through milder climates. There is one other factor it could be, and that is sickness. We'd never had much sickness on the truck throughout Chile, Argentina and Brazil, but throughout Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador there's been at least one or two people ill at any one time. I've been sick a few times, and am certainly sick of being sick. Most times when you are sick you start to think about being in more comfortable places, mostly back in England. Hatun Machay was the one exception - I was sick but still so happy to be there.
I went through a phase of thinking about life after HotRock. Perhaps 10 weeks of this lifestyle was enough for me - I equate 10 weeks with a university term, and maybe there is something about that period of time that fits with our natural cycles. Having said that, I've had a second wind where my climbing enthusiasm has returned. And having said that, today is a day which is a little bit drizzly, but otherwise good for climbing, and the climbing is very good here - yet still I choose to spend the day in an internet cafe, having good food, good coffee, and catching up on internet life. Another thing that makes me laugh is how our group of chilled people who have all the time in the world on our hands get so vexed when we have a slow internet connection. The internet giveth and the internet taketh away. As a bonus, there's a pool table here and so we've spent half the afternoon playing pool - something I haven't done since I was a student, and how much fun it was!
I know some people who work far too hard and it isn't good for them. Right now I am playing way too hard, and that isn't good either. I think we have too much free time on our hands. Whilst it's great to have a relaxed lifestyle, where you while away the days reading and climbing, there is a limit to how long you can do this for. Much as many people complain about work, I think many of us want to apply our minds in ways that add value. I've certainly been thinking a lot about setting up my own business when I return to Britain. In a way it's frustrating because at the moment all I can do is think about it and not actually do anything. Still, it's a start...
When I began this journey I had the basics in my tent to get me through the nights - not even a pillow, just clothes bundled up under my head. Now I've added two blankets, two rollmats, and two pillows. So I guess that whilst I can live with minimal comfort for a while - this too has its limits. Everything has a balance.
It's kind of natural to go to bed shortly after dark and to get up at sunrise. Now we were sheltering in our tents until well after sunrise, waiting for either the breakfast gong or for some general warmth in the atmosphere outside. Some motivation to get out of bed was required. Whereas previously we had stayed up in the evenings a while after dinner, entertaining ourselves with dance lessons, bridge playing, slacklining (more balance required), learning spanish, or drinking and chatting, we now scampered to our sleeping bags immediately after dinner. So we ended up spending up to twelve hours in bed - this can't be healthy.
This new pattern and atmosphere began in Tuzgle which is beyond doubt the coldest and windiest place we've been, but it has stayed with us even through milder climates. There is one other factor it could be, and that is sickness. We'd never had much sickness on the truck throughout Chile, Argentina and Brazil, but throughout Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador there's been at least one or two people ill at any one time. I've been sick a few times, and am certainly sick of being sick. Most times when you are sick you start to think about being in more comfortable places, mostly back in England. Hatun Machay was the one exception - I was sick but still so happy to be there.
I went through a phase of thinking about life after HotRock. Perhaps 10 weeks of this lifestyle was enough for me - I equate 10 weeks with a university term, and maybe there is something about that period of time that fits with our natural cycles. Having said that, I've had a second wind where my climbing enthusiasm has returned. And having said that, today is a day which is a little bit drizzly, but otherwise good for climbing, and the climbing is very good here - yet still I choose to spend the day in an internet cafe, having good food, good coffee, and catching up on internet life. Another thing that makes me laugh is how our group of chilled people who have all the time in the world on our hands get so vexed when we have a slow internet connection. The internet giveth and the internet taketh away. As a bonus, there's a pool table here and so we've spent half the afternoon playing pool - something I haven't done since I was a student, and how much fun it was!
I know some people who work far too hard and it isn't good for them. Right now I am playing way too hard, and that isn't good either. I think we have too much free time on our hands. Whilst it's great to have a relaxed lifestyle, where you while away the days reading and climbing, there is a limit to how long you can do this for. Much as many people complain about work, I think many of us want to apply our minds in ways that add value. I've certainly been thinking a lot about setting up my own business when I return to Britain. In a way it's frustrating because at the moment all I can do is think about it and not actually do anything. Still, it's a start...
When I began this journey I had the basics in my tent to get me through the nights - not even a pillow, just clothes bundled up under my head. Now I've added two blankets, two rollmats, and two pillows. So I guess that whilst I can live with minimal comfort for a while - this too has its limits. Everything has a balance.
No comments:
Post a Comment