We are torn: Coast or mountains?
Today - unfortunately far too rarely - the mountains win. I took us on a beautiful hike in the Connomara National Park picked out. It's supposed to go to Diamond Hill, which indeed gets its name from the glittering stones along the way. (I took two rough diamonds with me, hope that's OK).
Wanderready we set off, the empty water bottle in our luggage and clothes for all weathers in our backpacks.
And we notice that here, too, the Irish do their marketing job well: the sky and people are on the path. The higher up we are, the fewer fellow hikers we have, but still: it is definitely not lonely here, as we know it from Ireland.
On the way, delicate Friendships on. The somewhat chubby woman who hesitantly takes far too many breaks in the eyes of her pubescent companions. The French gentleman whom I catch up with again and again, only to pause at the same places and we both realise that we should have exercised more and he remarks in passing that smoking is not a good idea. Then we overtake each other, the woman who can hike tightly but looks anxious when she looks down and stops, and me, who encourages her and admires her power in return.
We all trudge up the steep path. Once we reach the top - and it's only 400 metres in altitude - I studiously conceal the fact that we come from Switzerland and know mountains of other heights. Because actually this is just a hill. And yet, after almost a year of ignorant laziness training break, even 400 metres of altitude are a small feat of strength.
"Well done!", the woman who is not free from giddiness calls out to me up here! "Congratulations" and "Welcome to the top" the French chain smoker, as he lights his summit cigarette. We are all beaming. We made it. And in such great company to boot.
We walk down again, beaming, not without turning in circles 100 times up here and enjoying the view.
And I'm a little bit looking forward to autumn, because the plan is in place, we'll be in Switzerland for a few weeks in autumn, visiting family, friends and girlfriends and seeing if the mountains are still standing.
Merci for "travelling with us
Our first lectures in Switzerland are planned. Others in Germany could follow. We'll see. We would love to take you into the Persian world somewhere in western Germany and also in the Berlin area. We are still looking for venues. If you know anything, please write to us.
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