caving

White clay road spinning under bike wheels, olive trees blurring by, steep green drops on either side. Steep cobbles on the road down to the cave sanctuary, hand carved ... lo mas arabe... where they worshipped water.

Loading our bikes on the bus, taking a risk...the last bus...in 10 minutes, not knowing if the train will bring us back or how far are the caves. Hiking up a long, dusty mountain road, 2/3 miles, hot sun, roosters, dogs. Getting a ride with some Finns the last quarter mile.

Seeing caves! Little bats hanging upside down, dripping calcite columns colored copper green, rust red and pure white, cathedral ceilings of mother rock and stalagmites like cabbages, aliens and organ pipes you can play with your fist. Drawings 30,000 years old of horses, goats, fish, moon clandars and flying shamen. We are %inside% the mountain! One kilometer in through narrow twisty stairs and sunken lakes, inside the earth where its cool and dark and smoked by ancient fires. We have lanterns and awe.

The train takes us back. We return the bikes with seconds to spare. We eat vegetarian food and walk back to camp under stars that, yes, twinkle, and dance with rainbow colors.

...Shannon