CORRIDAS

Back from three weeks of that most politically incorrect of activities -- bull fighting. Saw fourteen corridas in fourteen days and two Tientas at Ricardo Gomez' ranch outside of Manizales, Caldas, Colombia. Gonzalo Rincon gave me one of Cesar Rincon's red muletas which I used in the bull ring (practice only). The faena sword was confiscated then returned when I tried to send it in my luggage to Miami at the Cali Airport. It was not allowed to fly with me and is safely esconded in Cali.
Colombia had changed. I didn't have to think about my safety and a new attitude prevaidls through out the country.
This might be the last trip for a few months. Planning Pamplona and the Wine Battle in Spain and the Amazon in August.

ONE STEP MORE

One step more is the phrase I had to keep repeating to myself as I labored to raise my crampon-booted foot, move it forward and set it down in front my other foot as I climbed the 18,000 foot high glacier towards the peak of Ritacumba Blanca in the Sierra Nevada de Cocuy, Colombia's second highest mountain. Each step was a massive effort and required all the concentration my oxygen-deprived mind could muster.

Life is exactly the same. Daily efforts that seem so hard to over come but, like reaching the narrow glaciated peak on Ritacumba Blanca and staring down the three thousand foot escarpment on the other side into the Ratoncito Valley and the glaciers on the other peaks, are worth the effort. Thirty years later, the thrill of that moment still sends goose-bumps down my back.

I want to Take One Step More, one step futher into the unknow if need be.

Life's rewards are directly related to the risks one takes.

ONE STEP MORE. Take one step more with me.