Trekking

I am currently taking classes at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, which offers activities from wine tasting to mountain biking for its students each month. The prices are reasonable and no previous experience is necessary. I did not think twice about signing up for the activity entitled ‘Trekking’ regardless of only partially understanding the spanish description written underneath. I anticipated the day with a formless hazy vision of adventure waiting to take shape.

We hiked on the mountainsides surrounded by stunning vistas for three hours, choosing directions appealing to our eyes and without prudence of bearings. Sunset found us at the summit and cold began to creep into our bones. Our guide Paco had abandoned the trail he mapped out in favor of our wishes to see more views. Scrambling down steep rocky slopes in growing darkness, on an unfamiliar trail, I began to laugh hysterically. The other girls in the group kept repeating, “Are you serious?” and “I did not sign up for this!” The impending danger and situation was horribly hilarious to me. We were in real danger. And I loved it.

 

The group.

 Bridge walking.

 Dappled sunlight.

Paco and Katelyn.

 The summit.

Sierra Nevadas

 Pull up competition

Sunset.

After some careful navigation and controlled sliding we made it down to ground level safely, there are no pictures of this ordeal. It was too hazardous to only have one hand ready to steady myself. After warming up in a café for an hour or so, we headed to the Baños Árabes or the Arab Baths. This was the unexpected part to the journey; there could not have been a more welcome compliment to our evening, nor one as sensationally contrary.

It was like walking into the center of the earth, before history started. All shame, stress and a sense of time were erased. Strangers strolled pass one another in bathing suits without a care towards the appearance of their bodies, we could have been naked. It wouldn’t have made a difference. We were back in the womb with our brothers and sisters, lying in pools of warm salty water, listening to soft suggestions of the sitar and the lap of friendly waves on colorful tiles. Fragrant mint tea and steam entered through the nostrils and penetrated the soul. Peace was around us, we were peace. I felt whole.

 

Swimming in Atlantis.

Complimentary tea.

 

Candle light

There were no cameras allowed in this establishment, but I found a few photos that almost capture a fraction of the mood. We received a free fifteen-minute massage, then walked in a relaxed daze back home.