NAGAR - A PICTORIAL ODYSSEY

On a breezy day there I stood alongside my university fellow, who hosted me at his village, Ali Abad Hunza. It was February and water tanks had frozen water, taking a leak was a thrill in itself. but we had to explore and what better could be to walk through and explore those villages and reach Baltit Fort. But that's an adventure Diary for another post.

I took this shot on 24th February at around mid-day. the shot was perfect but standing there awed with visibility and imagination of the odyssey felt like a Chinese kids' novel. A Chinese cone hat on head, alongside a companion, trekking the slope, having no whatsoever worries, indulging in ultimate pleasure of the sight and the freshness of the air, a thin grass stem in mouth, and feeling my hand over the crops as I ascend. Making contacts with friends from across the pit enjoying on the parallel road of their village. At that very moment, I felt the renascence of the spirit, singing odes of the glacier in my heart, as I overlooked the parallel paths ascending towards the glacier. It was so visible that you could almost think of reaching your hand to the pass of the glacier. A mighty glacier that a front you and you just can't help but fascinate a thrilling trek towards it. a trek of your lifetime, not thinking of the dangers but the adventure, having companions who have the guts to make up the odyssey and are as crazy as the wild untamed horses gushing against the gravity and wind to reach the forest pass of the glacier. Imagine putting a saddle on a horse in the tiny village at the start of the slope, and stuffing food for a morning ride to the pass. imagine having good company and a hunting rifle, but I do not know if there is any sort of hunting availability, but keep your imagination intact and feel me making run for the pass ( the pass is crossing the narrow path into the snow and forests as seen in the photograph) energized with thrill. As you ascend, you feel the cold breeze on your face and body, you look towards your companion and say "to the pass and beyond". 

I still look at the photo on my phone and secretly smile at the moment locked in my heart forever, that one day I will return there and cherish nostalgia.

On a serious note, there are some phobias of the intolerance of the Shia community of Nagar, that they do have some sort of hostility towards other sects and that they will annoy you. but every place has its pros and cons and we can't pass any judgments before experiencing it thyself. 

AUFWEIDERSEHEN