6-Three Little Pilgrims

Three Little Pilgrims

7-high-road-low-road

You take the high road

I’ll take the low road

And I’ll get to Scotland

before you

Walking, Climbing

May 1, 2009: 3 days from Uttar Kashi

After 3 days of walking upstream from Uttarkashi, we have discovered the following:

“You have to take the main road, there is no footpath on this side of the river,” or “the footpath only goes to the next village, then you have to cross back to the asphalt,” or “You can’t do that,”

all actually mean “I wouldn’t take the footpath myself because I’m afraid of it,” or “I’ve only taken it as far as the next village,” or “I have no desire to do that myself,” respectively.

Nevertheless, we have walked all but two hours of the last three days on the footpath, with no cars or buses, no dust or smog, and no engine noise. Up and down the valley walls, through thick forests we only lost the trail in once, in tiny villages where perfect strangers feed us and put us up for the night and bring us tea in the bed in the early mornings. Life is too glorious. The road just keeps climbing, and Gangaji keeps on roaring down below.