8/15 A holiday in the altitude 3000m

I put mountain climbing boots instead of sandals and pedal, and start to walk. I walk slowly, taking photographs, and go around a peak and a pond. There is a peak near this course. I was not going to go there because there is no hiking course on the map. But many climber go and it is best weather today. Let's go.
Climbing up on foot is easier than climbing up by bicycle, or it may be because I have lighter loads. Even so, I am tiring for steep slope. The condition of the course is quite good for many hiker walking though sometimes unsafety. I can climb with no problem.
The ridgeline is the border of France-Italy. My first step on Italy can be this ridge. But there is nothing special on the ridge. I know this is border from only my map, walking actually, it is simply natural ridgeline. Same as the border between Tokyo and Saitama prefecture. (There is no border between nations on land in my country.)

Gaining the summit.
I can find Monte Viso at length on the top. I can look down the mountains that I looked up 30 minutes ago. I can view the road I passed after and the road I will go. I can view white peaks of European Alps. One guy teaches me that the mountain is Mont Blanc. Le Pain De Sucre. This is the name of the mountain I climb, though I don't know the pronunciation. Altitude of 3208m. In European Alps, it might be pretty high grade. Compare to Japanese Mountains, Only Mount Fuji is higher than this mountain. It is higher than Mt.OkuHodaka that was highest mountain I climbed before.

After coming back to the hut, I eat lunch and take a nap. I must write a diary, but Today is the Sabbath day, so my work doesn't progress.
There is another side in Italy side, crossing over the pass. I want stay there tonight.

"Col Agnell" the pass on the border. There is no passport check, no customhouse. Simply good view point. Many tourists take photographs. I can understand this is border only from very simple sign. It may one effect of EU-izing. A border between nations is human made, So it can be replaced by human.

The hut of Italy. The telescope is located in a line. I heard from one lady that I can't stay the hut tonight. But she said it may be no problem to camp around here. So I think I will set up my tent when it becomes darker. But she told me that it becomes possible to stay tonight. The atmosphere of the hut is different from French, Actually it seems not public hut, and one astronomical companion is hiring tonight. I can stay tonight because one of one member is absent tonight.

"But the bed is too small."
I don't mind.

"But we will watch star over night, so you can't sleep well."
That is good for me.

Ah, How Lucky I am! What a good accident! I can meet the peaple who have same taste in such a place! The reason why I am here is watching stars.
I think those who like astronomy is graceful. I meet such peaple here, they gave me best reception. I have never spoken a lot like today since I leave Japan. I eat dinner with them. I watch dark sky filled with shining stars with them. Of course they speak in Italy each other, but they speak to me in English. They are best educated peaple, include many Ph.Ds and professers. Most of them major phisics, optics. Or working at the National Space Development Agency of Europe. So they are watching stars not only in private time but also working time.
When I go into the hut, they entertain me with hot tea. When I go out, they show me various nebulas. They use the telescope of the diameter of over 30cm at the altitude of 2500m. I can find a faint nebula easily.

I feel sleepy and go to bed at two A.M. But they will watch stars all night. Beautiful stars are wonderful of course, but what is wonderful for me is they make the whereabouts for one outsider.

(2004 8/15)