073. About freedom, 9

(Uri)

We rolled toward Karoun, avoiding the swamps and in the end the western toxicity. The lower valley is shrouded by an acidic mist. Corrosion is visible and even breathing the air can become painful if we get too close.

I don't think we'll reach Mesopotamia through these valleys. It's flooded with misery and toxicity.

U - I think it's far worse than we heard of.

M - It really is a dead valley here. It's unbreathable.

It's like the mountainous landscape of the north east has its mirrored counterpart, in smokes rolling like mist and low altitude clouds. Their colours look like arsenic and sulphur. They smell just as bad.

We drive at good distance but we can still feel the itch to our tongue and eyes. This lower valley is really a no go. We eventually give up entirely and head back toward the altitude of the mountains, before we're cornered by this basin of pollution. Back to Zagros heights for us.

~

The roads are tricky. The corrosive winds from the valley apparently regularly wash this mountain side, dissolving the roads and iron based alloys gradually, but not only.

There's no good roads left and we're screeching pebbles and dust more than I wish we would. It's tough on the car's engine.

M - Will we get up there in time?

U - I think so. But at the next chance, we should take a moment feeding and cleaning our horses. Yah!

I whip the cart, the engine neighs and rolls faster over more mountain dust. It takes us another day of slow progress before we get out of reach from the waves, and find better roads.

We reach the river up there and look for the next bridge to cross it.

We find none directly from the point we reached as we reached quite a good altitude already, but we find a dam still holding.

We get closer down toward it cautiously and stop by the side building for the night.

M - I like these mountainous landscapes. It gives a sense of localisation.

U - I hear you. And what noise here.

The water flowing through the open valves and some fissures turn into waterfalls and do make quite a song.

The overall older marvel of architecture should be safe to cross tomorrow. Maybe not for many more years however.

We enjoy the sights, hiking toward the nearby village just above. Old homes, all abandoned. A place like millions all around. I feel like if we dove to the bottom of this river, we'd find the ruins of another village.

Where didn't we build houses over the centuries?

M - Come see.

I climb toward the higher trail where he is. Behind a house, we find rather fresh tombs.

At least the grass didn't grow on them yet; but it's not from yesterday.

U - Unlucky ones.

We feel a little weird but don't linger. We find a house where we can stay. The wind and the distant waters make so much noise, it keeps us awake.

So we share a drink under the stars and moonlight. We haven't looked at them nearly as much in the past. Now they keep a sense of wonder in the longer nights.

We eventually do get some shuteye. Afterward at dawn, we take care of our respective requirements using the bathroom here one after the other. I take the opportunity to shave with what I found available here. My friend's beard doesn't grow nearly as fast and bushy as mine. I feel younger and better.

All good to go.

U - Let's gamble our lives crossing this river.

M - Uh... Okay.

I'm feeling oddly perked up. I make the car roar, cough up some dust, and then rush across the dam.

We did have a thorough look yester, to check the road was clear.

So we hurry, though there's little risk really.

It's still a thrill. The weight of overflowing water on our right, and the cliff on our left.

U - So where do you see yourself in the upcoming years?

M - Oh dear...

He's face palming at my joke. I laugh. He looks at the wide mountain sights for a moment.

M - Becoming the director of the advanced researches department. Thanks to my upcoming breakthrough article on what happened at this event.

U - Ah, good, good. How's your research progressing lately?

M - We've... reviewed our plans with the key stakeholders, to optimise our resource utilization. We have achieved a consolidated strategy now that we have seized the right opportunities.

I'm laughing so much I almost am tearing up. When scientists are vassals to lazy politics, this is what it becomes.

U - Anyone told you before you have management potential?

M - Sadly yes.

We laugh further as we're getting over the end of the dam.

We're heading into the northern higher mountainous area. After we hit the next village where we can stay, we'll review our real plan, to optimize our resources utilization.

U - Upper valley, or toward Esfahan?

M - Well, we'll have our chances for more laboratories, universities and heavy industries around the old capital. We should seize this opportunity.

I agree, and I turn right to continue into the mountains.

~