We left earlyish as no internet and noisy trucks. We
continued across the mountain range.
Getting up into the snow line
again, although there were only small dirty patches hiding from the
sun. We topped the pass at 2350m altitude.
Down
again and and driving through a village John noticed a grease pump
near a truck so stopped. We had the car greased and washed with
attention to the springs. Hopefully this will alleviate our awful
squeak. It is quite embarrassing driving through a small village with
all our noises, and everyone turning to stare then wave in welcome.
We
watched all the school girls tumble out off their school all with
their headdresses on. White for the young ones and pink for the older
girls.
Over on the inland side of the mountains it is dryer and less vegetated. Although lots of flowers and these lovely pink pincushions were everywhere at altitude, the poppies a little further down the hills.
Finally we settled into a camp early afternoon rather than late evening. I am very tired and just not getting the sleep I need. I was just not in an entertaining sort of mood.
We
drove up a track and perched above a valley and town, but within
20 minutes we had a visitor. A very friendly 22 year old, Mahdi, who
had seen us on the hill. He took john off down to the valley floor to
see the fruit trees and some excavation site. Not sure if an old town
or graveyard.
Next
an invitation for dinner. We followed him in EC as we like to keep
our home with us. Becoming snail like perhaps?
We
arrived at his parents house, who greeted us cordially. We did not
have much language in common. Had a glass of water then John was
asked to follow him. I went too I didn’t want to be left. So we all
went out to their side yard and behind the wall and through the gate
was an olive plantation for oil. A guy was herding his sheep beneath
the trees for feed. I wonder how that all works?
Mahdi’s
brother joined us for the evening and he had more English. We
sat on the carpet with the plastic “table cloth” and had
spaghetti for dinner. The telly was on to let the fasters know when
they were allowed to eat. We are hear in Ramadan and it is illegal to
eat or drink during the day unless you are a traveler or have your
menstrual cycle.
I
asked the mother to show me how to put my scarf on properly, she gave
me a scarf pin to hold it together under my chin. I gave her a
kangaroo which Mahdi claimed as his.
It
rained a little and I was a bit concerned about our track back to the
camp site.
Just
as we were leaving I told Mahdi that the Roo was his mothers. He
reluctantly took it off his key ring and handed it to his mother.
Finally
we made our excuses and left, Mahdi drove off in front of us to lead
us back. He got up the track, it was not at all slippery. I handed
Mahdi a Roo as well and he was so thankful! A nice quiet night, but not
an early one.203km