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04.Jun
SEVENTEENTH DAY: MUDDY UPHILL ROAD.
03 Jun
- 2015 -
Author
Andis Pikāns
Early in the morning, as we decided yesterday, we are trekking up to the local school of Shatili. The trail leads through an old fortress and most doors and windows are open so we can explore. It’s obvious that some of them are prepared for tourists, a place where they can spend a night in a spartic environment.
Mary greets us by the small school which is made of wood. Today there are even less students than usual because there has been an accident- a land fatigue- in a nearby village, Khone, and there are many deaths and wounded ones.
The life in the mountains isn’t easy, Mary tells: ‘In summertime, there are about 20 families living in Shatili, but only about 8 stay through the winter, because of the weather- the village is cut off from the outside world by snow. A helicopter brings in necessities once in a month. If there is a medical emergency, it is impossible to receive immediate help. The youths have no motivation to stay, so the number of inhabitants is shrinking. The teachers get premiums for working in this environment but usually even that doesn’t make them stay.’ Mary has come here from Tbilisi and has been working here for three years.
The lesson for 5th grade begins. There is one pupil in the classroom!!!
Goergi gets all of his teacher’s attention. We are the guest teachers and we tell the boy about Latvia and the relationship between Latvia and Georgia. Maybe one day Georgi will come to see the Baltic Sea from this distant mountain village.
While packing for the road, Osis notices a surprise- his back tire is flat. We have to start the repair process. I decide to use the free time to visit the Khone village which is located 20 km from here. The road that leads to Mutso, halfway to my destination, is very entertaining. The consequences of the recent rain and storms are obvious. After Mutso, the road is blocked by a very recent landslide. I have to turn back. At around six o’clock we manage to find a place for the night, not far from Jinvali, by river Aragvi. By the campfire we talk about our plans regarding Omalo mountain pass. This route was recommended by Mārcis and Aivi, members from another Jawa club, they used this mountain pass last year.
A few days ago, some youths from Israel with CRF 250 LS Hondas told us that the pass is still closed, but there is hope that it will open soon.
It’s obvious that the road conditions will be worse than they were in summertime, but I’m determined to go. Everyone has to make up his own mind, going up is not mandatory, we are looking for freedom and happiness, after all. My sidekicks decide to come with me. Wooohooo!
