Location: Picos de Europa, Spain
They ran rhythmically down the side of the cliff hand in hand.
“This is what I want..” she thought secretly “to run through life, to run by his side.”
“This is what I want..” she thought secretly “to run through life, to run by his side.”
The fried eggs went down smoothly with the cool glass of orange juice. We lingered around the heavy wooden table picking at slices of moist prosciutto and sipping warm cups of tea. Our hair was damp, disheveled and it trailed the smell of soapy coconut throughout the apartment. Tasteful photographs hung feebly on the walls and the depraved sun peered through the golden drapes; even she was overlooked from our gaze.
The hour past and we soon joined her; she forgave us as she radiated beautifully in the sky painting our noses pink. We were in Picos de Europa following an overgrown dirt path along a trickling stream. I loved the serenity, the towering canyons coated in green and the faint sounds of goats bleating in the distance. Sometimes we stopped to peer through the binoculars to view the bold creatures or to simply capture the moment with a flash.
Superman slowed down observing his surroundings intently. He peered upwards towards the canyons. “We’re not on the path” he said squinting into the sunlight, “we need to go up.” I enviously watched a goat in the distance leap effortlessly from one boulder to the next. This task would not be easy for me - I was inexperienced.
The hour past and we soon joined her; she forgave us as she radiated beautifully in the sky painting our noses pink. We were in Picos de Europa following an overgrown dirt path along a trickling stream. I loved the serenity, the towering canyons coated in green and the faint sounds of goats bleating in the distance. Sometimes we stopped to peer through the binoculars to view the bold creatures or to simply capture the moment with a flash.
Superman slowed down observing his surroundings intently. He peered upwards towards the canyons. “We’re not on the path” he said squinting into the sunlight, “we need to go up.” I enviously watched a goat in the distance leap effortlessly from one boulder to the next. This task would not be easy for me - I was inexperienced.
In weaves and shallow breaths we climbed up the steep incline. There was no path, only a gorge of treacherous stones and dehydrated plants. The taste of dust filled our nostrils and the sound of crunching stones occupied our thoughts. I slipped on the gravel grasping onto a neighboring sapling in panic. The deceased plant shifted weakly under the dirt and my heart pounded in my chest like a sporadic drum. It was strange to have fear in such a serene location but it was my breaths that saved me. I was terrified to peer down at the slope of sharp rocks, and I was terrified to look up to the climb that remained. So I breathed, one step at a time. I focused on my balance, the stability of the ground before my leap and to dig my heels into the soil for steadiness. Finally, we clambered over the cliff’s edge to meet the surprised shoes of a fellow hiker. They peered into the valley of rocks “did you climb that!?” they asked with their eyebrows raised in awe.
Yes, Yes we did!
In the hours past we strolled along the cliff passing goats munching on dried weeds indifferent to the passing hikers. Our path eventually came to the mouth of a cave. Upon entering, we allowed for our eyes to adjust in the darkness. The cool air was refreshing from the sun outside, moss blanketing the fragrant walls and water trickled from the ceiling turning the floor into a slippery mirror. My unsteady amble on the slate reminded me of a fawn who was newly born; even a fawn was more graceful than my attempts at walking. I watched Superman glide across the cavern smoothly and then return to my side offering me aid. When we reemerged into the blinding daylight the view was breathtaking.
Yes, Yes we did!
In the hours past we strolled along the cliff passing goats munching on dried weeds indifferent to the passing hikers. Our path eventually came to the mouth of a cave. Upon entering, we allowed for our eyes to adjust in the darkness. The cool air was refreshing from the sun outside, moss blanketing the fragrant walls and water trickled from the ceiling turning the floor into a slippery mirror. My unsteady amble on the slate reminded me of a fawn who was newly born; even a fawn was more graceful than my attempts at walking. I watched Superman glide across the cavern smoothly and then return to my side offering me aid. When we reemerged into the blinding daylight the view was breathtaking.
The sky was a rich blue scattered with fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze kissed our cheeks. We decided to have a picnic amongst the decaying logs and proud boulders. We ate a soft sausage, firm sheep’s cheese (my favorite), warm fruit and a muesli bar. I am unsure if it was the landscape or the company that I shared but this simple meal was a delight. We gathered our bags and returned down the path from where we had came.
As our feet left footprints in the dried earth I couldn’t help but contemplate. The view was just as beautiful as before but this time it was different, I noticed things that I didn’t notice before. Perhaps it was the different angle we were approaching from? My thoughts were interrupted by a loud cry from above. It was a brown mountain goat peering down on us curiously. Superman climbed up to the goat and offered him handful of freshly plucked green grass. The curious creature delicately ate the meal from his hands and nuzzled into his palm as a gesture of thanks. I had always thought goats’ eyes looked slightly sinister but from this close encounter I changed my disposition. Without warning the goat jumped down from the rock and pushed it’s head against my legs, I was anxious. What if the goat was temperamental and suddenly decided to head-butt me off the side of the cliff? It didn’t head-butt me but rather it kissed me. It gently licked up my thigh and then my calf for 10 minutes covering my legs in sticky saliva with it's velvet tongue. I was terrified to move incase its sharp horn penetrated my buttocks or if it missed and bit my flesh. Superman laughed in the distance at my gleeful squawks and my giggling squeals as the goat left my legs shimmering in the sunlight.
Strange things do indeed happen to me, only this time it involved a mountain goat and a bucket-load of saliva. And, you know what? I enjoyed it!
As our feet left footprints in the dried earth I couldn’t help but contemplate. The view was just as beautiful as before but this time it was different, I noticed things that I didn’t notice before. Perhaps it was the different angle we were approaching from? My thoughts were interrupted by a loud cry from above. It was a brown mountain goat peering down on us curiously. Superman climbed up to the goat and offered him handful of freshly plucked green grass. The curious creature delicately ate the meal from his hands and nuzzled into his palm as a gesture of thanks. I had always thought goats’ eyes looked slightly sinister but from this close encounter I changed my disposition. Without warning the goat jumped down from the rock and pushed it’s head against my legs, I was anxious. What if the goat was temperamental and suddenly decided to head-butt me off the side of the cliff? It didn’t head-butt me but rather it kissed me. It gently licked up my thigh and then my calf for 10 minutes covering my legs in sticky saliva with it's velvet tongue. I was terrified to move incase its sharp horn penetrated my buttocks or if it missed and bit my flesh. Superman laughed in the distance at my gleeful squawks and my giggling squeals as the goat left my legs shimmering in the sunlight.
Strange things do indeed happen to me, only this time it involved a mountain goat and a bucket-load of saliva. And, you know what? I enjoyed it!