July 09 - The Gorge

The Gorge marks the first day of actually being on the road, in terms of waking up on the bus. I had slept in the back lounge because our bunks didn't have sheets yet and I didn't feel like waiting for the bus driver to arrive with supplies.

I awoke early and it seemed like we were driving in rain through the mountains, which is completely unlike the Gorge. I sort of panicked because it seemed like we should be there already. But I didn't know what time it was so I couldn't really be sure. Of course, I could have checked my watch but it was way far away on my bunk and I just couldn't get up. I was hoping we weren't going to be there soon as I really wanted to go back to sleep. So, I did and kept waking up between very strange dreams.

Being at the Gorge is always a mixed blessing. On the one hand it's awesome to be in such a beautiful site -- breathtaking. On the other hand its got the treacherous hill which cannot be avoided as catering is at the bottom and the village (not to mention my bus) is at the top. In addition to that the sweltering heat is nothing short of brutal. Thank goodness every once in awhile someone with a cart passes and offers you a ride up the hill -- just when you think you can't do it one more time.