I woke up feeling shaky and clammy after 4 hours of sleep. I hadn't allowed myself to adjust to the climate the night before, and after the scary adventures of fighting wind-storms and altitude and dust in my lungs... I hadn't rested or gone to bed like the others. Nope. Instead I set off, hungry for adventure, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch enough air. I knew, even as I set out, that I was going to feel like shit in the morning, but didn't care. Why? Because there were art cars to chase down, the Temple to visit, and people to meet. Even at 4 am.
But once I woke, I couldn't go back to sleep. I knew I'd feel better if I could just get some more rest, but it seemed impossible. For one, my tent had become an oven and I was sweating too much to be comfortable. Also, I woke with such an excitement that I hadn't felt since I was 5 years old and it was Christmas.
I set a mental reminder to take an easy day...not just today but everyday. I had heard stories of newbies winding up in the Medical tents on their second or third days because they didn't know when to stop. I made a decision to not take the same route, and as much as I wanted to immediately run out into the city, I forced myself to stay for an extra hour or so.
I pulled back the tent flap and climbed out of our monkey hut, blinking owlishly in the blazing sun. There was a bit of a breeze, so I took off my shirt, remaining in my bra, and took a seat in some shade. My camp-mates were all still asleep and so I treated myself to a breakfast of Pringles, Pickles, Pita Bread, (the alliteration was not lost on me) and a whole Liter of water, before setting off to meet the neighbors.
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