We have landed in a wee mountain village, less than 10 miles from the Chinese border. (More about that in just a bit).
After lunch, a (wet) walkabout seemed a good idea. It was an opportunity to get a closer look and a few photos of the local people and businesses. When I got to the tailor’s shop, I began by asking if I could take the seamstress’ picture. Then I asked, what are you making? She couldn’t answer me but a man standing nearby was able to tell me….she was making a cover (aka funeral pall) for his mother who had just passed.
Seriously? I find the person in town who is grieving? It turns out that he was lovely and kind and full of grace.
Weather continues to be a lead story here. Even the locals are calling it a ‘big’ rain.
I was told to be ready to roll at 4:50 this morning. Slowly, we collected the rest of the party and then we headed north.
And it rained. Hard. Windshield wipers at full speed hard!
We drove over downed branches and small trees. There were places that mud fully coated the road. In other areas we drove through gushing streams. Rocks littered the road from multiple slides. (I wish I could have gotten a picture of the boulder the size of a washing machine that was in our lane of the roadway.) Despite the conditions, we forged forward, Tibet our goal.
Until the driver got the call. Landslide ahead; road closed.
Okay. Stop for lunch. Let the folks clear it off. But as travelers gathered at the lunch stop the stories (and the anxiety) grew. The road won’t be open for at least 3 days. No, it will take a week! Were flights an option?
On and on it went.
We will hold up here for the night. Three people in a room smaller than most of your kitchens. (Currently my backpack is out in the hallway because there is no space to open it inside our humble abode.)
Prayer request for the day: that the landslide will be cleared by morning, for safe passage and easy entry into Tibet, tomorrow.
In the meantime I am reminding myself of my Camino lessons:
Be present.
Be thankful.
Be receptive.
Pastor Leah
