For some reason i come across the works of Paulo Coelho at a time i'm set to do the Pinatubo hike. This wonderful short gem was shared to me by a friend might as well i share it with others.
May 11, 2013 1:00 AM. My bags are packed and I'm ready to go, but im starting to hear raindrops, not now please. But my wish is not enough since most of the people is asking for it. Heavy rain begin to fall so i have no choice but to repack for a rainy weather. Whether you're taking a long or short trip, it's important to have the proper gear and clothes if rainy weather is an expected possibility. If you get wet and don't have a way to dry off, your trip can become a miserable experience.
This is my nth time joining a shared tour with strangers and i wanted this trip to be memorable. This is my 2nd time in Pinatubo, the first trip is not successful due to heavy rain so i hope i make it this time. Pinatubo is known for dirt tracks because of lahar, and dirt tracks become a sea of mud when it rains.Although May is still consider a dry / summer season this dont automatically exempt or avoid rainfall, especially in the afternoon.
"Like the Flowing River" - The Manual for Climbing Mountains, This is my favorite chapter truly it is remarkable though i dont think it actually has much to do with climbing mountains. With this entry I'm including some quotes from Coelho's works and my experience with Mt Pinatubo.It is up to you to know the deeper meaning of Coelho's work and it is up to you as well to discover the mountain your about to climb. The truth is that we are always climbing a ‘mountain’ of some kind. We all need mountains to climb in our lives. They are in effect what we choose to dedicate our lives to. Every day we take more steps in our daily climb to the top.
I love this beautiful metaphorical manual and piece by Paolo Coelho in which he reminds us that there is an art to climbing mountains.
Choose the mountain you want to climb: don’t pay attention to what other people say, such as “that one’s more beautiful” or “this one’s easier”. You’ll be spending lots of energy and enthusiasm to reach your objective, so you’re the only one responsible and you should be sure of what you’re doing.
Know how to get close to it: mountains are often seen from far off – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. But what happens when we try to draw closer? Roads run all around them, flowers grow between you and your objective, what seemed so clear on the map is tough in real life. So try all the paths and all the tracks until eventually one day you’re standing in front of the top that you yearn to reach.
Learn from someone who has already been up there: no matter how unique you feel, there is always someone who has had the same dream before you and ended up leaving marks that can make your journey easier; places to hang the rope, trails, broken branches to make the walking easier. The climb is yours, so is the responsibility, but don’t forget that the experience of others can help a lot.
When seen up close, dangers are controllable: when you begin to climb the mountain of your dreams, pay attention to the surroundings. There are cliffs, of course. There are almost imperceptible cracks in the mountain rock. There are stones so polished by storms that they have become as slippery as ice. But if you know where you are placing each footstep, you will notice the traps and how to get around them.
The landscape changes, so enjoy it: of course, you have to have an objective in mind – to reach the top. But as you are going up, more things can be seen, and it’s no bother to stop now and again and enjoy the panorama around you. At every meter conquered, you can see a little further, so use this to discover things that you still had not noticed.
Respect your body: you can only climb a mountain if you give your body
the attention it deserves. You have all the time that life grants you,
as long as you walk without demanding what can’t be granted. If you go
too fast you will grow tired and give up half way there. If you go too
slow, night will fall and you will be lost. Enjoy the scenery, take
delight in the cool spring water and the fruit that nature generously
offers you, but keep on walking.
Be prepared to climb one kilometer more: the way up to the top of the mountain is always longer than you think. Don’t fool yourself, the moment will arrive when what seemed so near is still very far. But since you were prepared to go beyond, this is not really a problem.
Be happy when you reach the top: cry, clap your hands, shout to the four winds that you did it, let the wind - the wind is always blowing up there - purify your mind, refresh your tired and sweaty feet, open your eyes, clean the dust from your heart. It feels so good, what was just a dream before, a distant vision, is now part of your life, you did it!
Make a promise: now that you have discovered a force that you were not even aware of, tell yourself that from now on you will use this force for the rest of your days. Preferably, also promise to discover another mountain, and set off on another adventure.
Tell your story: yes, tell your story! Give your example. Tell everyone that it’s possible, and other people will then have the courage to face their own mountains.
