Roadblock, outside Ushguli, August 2004As on the first trip to this village, Nodar gave me only the morning hours of our next day to run around and take what photographs I could. I did that and resigned myself to being thankful. Armed with a big stick in hand against the fierce local guard dogs, I had set off soon after dawn so as to see as much as I could of the green season. Soon after midday we packed up, said our thankyous to Dato and Nanuli, and were away towards Mestia.
Just around the first bend, however, a huge rockfall changed everything. It must have happened soon before we departed, as no one had reported it yet. How many tons of rock? A hundred, a thousand? I'm no expert. It was enough to keep us firmly in place in Ushguli until heavy machinery could arrive from Mestia; that was the main thing. Was I sorry? Unconsolable. What on earth would I do with myself for... days, possibly?! Heh heh heh. How many rolls of film did I have? SEVENTEEN.
Tomorrow - extra time in Ushguli.
