Salar de Uyuni

#13

Machu Picchu, a desert and the Salt Flats, all in seven days. This is a week of landscapes and milestones.

My feet have touched ground in Salar de Uyuni. Huge plates of salt, that appear never ending, run all the way into the far distance and turn into the sky. The horizon is supposed to separate the two. However, the horizon seems to have a day off.

I’m trying to understand what it is that I’m looking at. But my mind is not able to grasp what my eyes are seeing.

I enjoy the experience but at the same time I am surrounded by a bunch of other tourists. Whilst they adjust the timer for the perfect selfie, I adjust my surroundings and find time for myself - perfect.

I start walking away from the extras. Soon their conversations join them in the background and I find myself without any company, minding my own business.

I spin myself around 360 degrees. The scenery is breathtaking. I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m a white boy with blue eyes in a white world with blue skies - I blend in nicely here.

I look down at the giant plates of salt that I’m standing on. To my surprise the plates are shaped like arrows pointing straight  forward.

Curiosity beats thoughts of concern and I trudge on. The plates are covered in a thin layer of water. A sizzling sound and tiny clouds of steam accompany every step I take.

Not able to run anymore I take my time. A slow pace allows me to see things more clearly. I’m a rocket man with broken engines, trying to lift off whilst carrying this irreparable weight on my shoulders.

Miles and miles are being devoured. The night starts falling and I’m walking in awe. The blue of the sky takes part in the sun’s magic trick and changes into orange, red, purple and black. The ground turns into the earth’s largest mirror. Yet again I find myself in a world unimaginable.

I keep on following the road of arrows of salt, my own, abstract yellow brick road. Behind me darkness sets in. It attempts to keep up with me. I look back at the shade that overshadows my recent past.

In the distance I finally see that what the arrows point towards: I catch a glimpse of my future. I wipe the blood and sweat from my forehead and continue to push on forward. Not once considering to reconsider.

Vaguely the contours of a heart shaped box become visible. I hear how it’s vigorously pounding.

I place the fingertips of my index fingers on the corners of my lips and press them upwards. Then I take another step.

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