Notes on Getting Lost
The train was late, which turned out to be the best part of the day. We arrived after dark and only understood the view in the morning.
What I kept
I keep coming back to mountain villages, largely because it rewards patience. In August the light changes, and so does the work. Here is what changed, and what stayed exactly the same. There is no single right way to approach packing light, but some ways are kinder than others. The result is not perfect, but it is truthful.
What changed
I packed too much, as usual, and wore the same jacket every day. I would rather do one thing carefully than five things quickly. It took me twelve attempts to see the pattern. A friend once described border towns as hushed work, and the phrase stuck.
The first ten weeks were largely about unlearning. Nobody spoke much English, and somehow that made it easier. I keep a short list of things to try next; packing light is near the top. It is not glamorous, but it holds up. I am still not sure I have it right, but it is closer.