Silent birthday

Day: 402

Sunrise:
06:21

Sunset:
19:57

As the crow flies:
25,91

Daily kilometers:
35

Total kilometers:
2373

Soil condition:
Grass

Temperature – Day (maximum):
25 °C

Temperature – day (minimum):
18 °C

Temperature – Night:
3 °C

Latitude:
48°56’096”

Longitude:
102°47’680”

Maximum height:
1550 m above sea level

Time of departure:
12:00

Arrival time:
15:45

“Good morning my birthday boy. I wish you all the happiness in the world. May your heart shine forever with the gentle light of the unclouded sunrise and your soul fill itself harmoniously with the knowledge of the universe. I wish you the lightness of being as if a hummingbird were feasting on the sweet nectar of a colorful tropical flower. I wish you the eternal youth and the eternal beauty that flows from your good-natured, generous heart into a biblical old age on your entire being. I wish you insight and knowledge into the secrets of life. I wish for many more wonderful years of traveling together by your side, enriched with profound contentment and bliss. I wish us the discovery and preservation of paradise in our hearts and another incarnation together on this or another planet in the galaxies of the universe.” “You said that beautifully,” coos Tanja sleepily. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a present for you, but if you like, I will fulfill your wish and cook for you once a month next year.” “You don’t need that.” “But I’d be happy to,” I reply, yawning. “Apart from that, I still have a little present.” “Yes? What is it?” “It occurred to me tonight how we can protect Naraa’s back once and for all.” “And how are you going to do that?” “I’ll simply cut a hole in the felt at the affected area. That way, there won’t be any pressure on the wound and it will heal in a few days.” “A brilliant idea.” “The solution often lies in simplicity,” I reply, slipping out of my sleeping bag to get on with the routine of dismantling the camp.

After another 35 kilometers of riding, we reach our former moon camp not far from an old extinct volcano. We set up camp by a stream. When we free Naraa from her saddle, we are both surprised how well the cutting out of the saddle blankets worked. The graze has dried despite the long day of riding. “Really great. You won’t see any more of it in a few days,” says Tanja enthusiastically. ‘I promised you,’ I reply, satisfied.

Because of the exertions of the last few days of riding, we decide to rest here for a day tomorrow. It’s good to know that you can rest your limbs the next day. While I set up the tent, Tanja leads the horses to the stream to water them. A boy of about 15 gallops up on his horse and asks Tanja where we are coming from and where we are going. Then he pulls a plastic wrap out of his trouser pocket with a grin, unwraps a dead rat and holds it under Tanja’s nose. “Do you eat them?” asks Tanja fearlessly. “But yes,” he replies. “I bet it tastes great?” “Very tasty,” the brat snorts cheekily, swings into his saddle and lets his galloping hooves whirl swards of grass through the air.

We look forward to your comments!