After several days of sitting waiting Chris and Kadri on the DLR650 and I went for a ride. It took us a while to find fuel and the right road but the ride that followed was great. Over the snow capped range and up a long gorge with patches of four lane and patches of road works. The lanscape was dramatic and a little warmer as after the range we reduced altitude.
Old villages on hillside, hay bales stacked on roofs, sheep and cattle in small herds on the hillsides, it was a step back in time other than the roadworking machinery. Thats the same everywhere.
The colours in the hillsides were great. Not much grows here apart from poplars down the river beds.
We turned off eventually about 100km and would our way up the valley until the monastery appeared nestled in a small village.
The usual turnout ensued, where are you from but we were saved from prolonged inquirey by the call from the tower beside the monastery.
It is falling into dispair sadly but this country has so many monuments to the past whats another monastary built in 964 with some stone carving and paintings inside. For me it is a great feeling. 1000 years ago this was a community centre. It was built up a blind valley for protection no doubt ( no army is going over the tops) and apparently there was a large christian community here.
Unfortunately we only had the option of riding back the route we came in order to be back before dark.
So another night of soup and Kebab and early to bed to watch the drama in Mumbai unfold on the BBC. In a month I had planned to be there.
I fear the US created financial crisis will see more downturn and and harship and more of this madness and I am left with the thought that the same silly games of greed envy fear and distrust were present in 964 when the monastery was built.
We have not progressed very far have we !
nzl04
Old villages on hillside, hay bales stacked on roofs, sheep and cattle in small herds on the hillsides, it was a step back in time other than the roadworking machinery. Thats the same everywhere.
The colours in the hillsides were great. Not much grows here apart from poplars down the river beds.
We turned off eventually about 100km and would our way up the valley until the monastery appeared nestled in a small village.
The usual turnout ensued, where are you from but we were saved from prolonged inquirey by the call from the tower beside the monastery.
It is falling into dispair sadly but this country has so many monuments to the past whats another monastary built in 964 with some stone carving and paintings inside. For me it is a great feeling. 1000 years ago this was a community centre. It was built up a blind valley for protection no doubt ( no army is going over the tops) and apparently there was a large christian community here.
Unfortunately we only had the option of riding back the route we came in order to be back before dark.
So another night of soup and Kebab and early to bed to watch the drama in Mumbai unfold on the BBC. In a month I had planned to be there.
I fear the US created financial crisis will see more downturn and and harship and more of this madness and I am left with the thought that the same silly games of greed envy fear and distrust were present in 964 when the monastery was built.
We have not progressed very far have we !
nzl04
