April 4, 2011

Lots of things have been happening lately.

The day before yesterday in the afternoon I went with Vilmantas to conquer the Ararat mountain. On the way 3 local guys (quite friendly) started bothering us. They took my friends backpack (I said no, as I didn't want to owe them anything). Later, they did not want to leave us, and under the pressure of their presence my colleague was discouraged to continue. So we split, I went alone. At some point I saw these 3 guys again behind me (not too close), so when I had an opportunity I hid. After a while I got a message from my friend, that these 3 guys took some l money from him (not much) That discouraged me as well, so I kept hiding, and as it was getting late I went asleep. I woke up around midnight which was the right time to do the ascent and descent from that point in one day (probably, more or less). Unfortunately as it was dark and I was below the snow zone navigational difficulties and fear from the locals discouraged me again. The instinct of survival won the instinct of the conqueror gone.

I slept until the morning (5 am) and then as fast as possible I went down trying to avoid meeting anyone. Finally in the village I felt safer, where the "Dorf furhrer" (village chief) invited me for breakfast. He asked me if I'd reached the peak. What a shame I didn't | (Usually people who want to climb Arrarat need a special permition from the authorities and almost everyone does it with a guide).

He also asked me pointing at the fridge and the washing machine if they are something normal in Poland It really surprised me because actually they live in mud huts.

Later I moved away and went as fast as possible to Van Lake where after spending a night in the woods (fruitful in a wet sleeping bag) I went to Mardin.

Meanwhile, it turned out, that my friend from Lithuania met 12 Kurds next night who took money from him again - unfortunately I don't know if it was on the slopes of Ararat again.