I'm Dead, Man

Let me just start this off by saying I tend to exaggerate when I write my post entries. This is not one of those times.

Today was the most painful day of my life. My host parents took me snowshoeing in the mountains for the whole day, and when I eagerly agreed to go, I was not expecting an onslaught of physical pains that took place during 9 long hours.

When I woke up at 6 a.m. this morning, I was looking forward to a day that would break the inevitable cabin fever that always works its way into your bones during winter. I was all prepared with warm clothes and a pair of boots that my host dad, Patrick, lent to me (I know I have big feet.) Anyway, I went with my host parents and a group of 6 other intense hikers that all belong to a sports club in Privas. All of them convinced me today would be a slow, easy trail that was just for fun. Sounded good to me!

That lie quickly revealed itself at the start of the trail. I should have known; we were snowshoeing in the Alps with a bazillion mountains for the whole day. The whole day. The wind was constantly against us and it was freezing cold. I also literally climbed a mountain. Plus a whole lot of other big hills. You can imagine me at the back of the pack, shedding a tear whenever I saw the next steep incline ahead.

I brought my camera to take lots of pretty pictures of the trek, but I came out with one. I took it at the beginning. The rest of the time, I was too tired to take my camera out of my pocket. Luckily, Bibiane was taking lots of pictures, and she told me she would send them all to me.

By the end of the day, I literally couldn't move; I had nasty blisters plastered all over my feet, I couldn't push myself to climb the next hill, I was thirsty but had drank all my water, and there were aches spearing through every muscle in my body. I did my best to not break down and start crying, and I actually managed to keep my composure if you throw aside the several tears that cascaded down my face (because of the wind, of course.) It was the most physically difficult thing I have ever done.

Right now, I'm sitting at my computer, unable to move my legs or my bandaged feet. Good thing I have a wheely chair that will help me get to my bed. Patrick offered to write me a note to come in late tomorrow, so I'm definitely taking him on his offer. I'm just absolutely dreading feeling the after-pain that comes with a long day's hard work, but maybe, just maybe, this will get me out of accrosport on Wednesday. Fingers crossed!