A Walk Up a Code-Orange Volcano (May 1999)
My first attempt at climbing up Mt. Pichincha in Quito, Ecuador left me with nothing but a lack of breath and a realization that I had to one day quit the filthy habit of smoking. Making it up to the peak after sunrise leaves one with a view of nothing but clouds. My second attempt, however, saw me leaving the city at 4:30 in the morning in a vehicle that took me up about three-quarters of the way. Arriving at the peak just before dawn, I sat on the peak breathless not to my surprise. Not much could be seen through the clouds, but it was still dark, so I just waited for the sun to rise.
Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see. Immediately upon the sun showing its first rays of light, the surrounding clouds were blown away around the peak and through the crater of the volcano. For about 10 seconds there was a gap of clear air between the clouds that were whisked away and the incoming clouds that raced to take their place for the day. For those 10 seconds, I saw the golden rays of the morning sun reflecting against the Andean Mountain Range. The expanse before me made me feel miniscule. More importantly the personal problems I had been experiencing over the last few years seemed even more so. Words fail me in describing the beauty that I saw. I refrained from taking any photographs out of this strange need to respect what could only be captured through memory. I was looking at God’s personal playground that was seemingly made for His enjoyment alone, and it was like He rewarded my soul with a glimpse of His beauty – encouraging me and giving me the strength to continue my life despite what I felt were "severe" hardships.
In those 10 seconds, I came to a number of realizations. Firstly, the world was not the ugly place that I had begun to believe it had become. Secondly, the solution in ensuring the sustainability of humankind would not rest in economic or political solutions alone – rather, it would rest in principles of a nobler and higher value. Thirdly, that God indeed exists and His majesty is expressed through ways that are not obvious – especially to those living in "modern society". Finally, I realized simply that everything was going to work out in the end. I was at peace with myself at last, and a calming blanket protected me from the crisp winds as I started to make my way down.