Day 9 and some 10

This agonizing wait... Did Bram summit today?? Or is he still in camp 2 on 6000m waiting for tomorrow?? I don´t know. In the meantime, I'll share the news from Brigitte yesterday, quite funny, at least I had a laugh...
Tim left base camp on Monday by horse, with mules carrying his luggage and a real argentina cowboy accompanying him. No english, senor... haha, hand and feet work for communicating! They rode 30 kms towards Mendoza before camping. No tent.. that one they had to leave behind in base camp for Bram and the boys. So, beans and bacon in a tin pan cooking over the fire by the unshaved poncho cowboy with his sunburned leather face... Just like a good old western. Except for Tim... he didn´t quite fit the picture (well, for the unshaven and sunburned part, yes). He was tucked in his big sleeping bag, behind a stone, under the stars....watching a... MOVIE! Some other cowboys passing by noticed Tim behind the stone.... they must have wondered what on earth this guy was doing. Tim really laughed about the situation. Yesterday he rode the last part until he hit a dirt road where a four wheel drive took him back to the hotel Princess in Mendoza. Just riding back was a great adventure and most probably got his thoughts back on track, accepting what happened. It seems Bram and Tim always part on the mountain, doesn't it? Last time Tim ended up with some real bad city cowboys during a state coup in Bolivia, this time with a real one on a horse! Quite an experience...


Before Tim left, the plan was laid out for Bram, moving to camp 1 on monday, on to camp 2 on tuesday and if he gets an OK by the guide/doctor, try for summit today or perhaps tomorrow, because Friday the meteo forecast high winds and difficult conditions. Tim had news from the expedition company in Mendoza yesterday, so I can confirm that Bram was in camp 2 as scheduled. That's already an impressive 6000m.... I was sitting up on 2000m yesterday, skiing with the kids, and enjoying the majestetique shape of the Mt Blanc under a crispy blue sky... thinking, Bram's even sitting at this point on + 1000m higher than the Mt Blanc! Unbelievable. At least to me.


Tim´s hanging out in Mendoza, not too bad at all actually... great summer weather, pool at the hotel, margeritas and cervezas, plus the expedition company organise other activities in and around Mendoza, well worth visiting. It is the wine centre of Argentina, I'm sure very pretty with the vineyards growing up along the sunny hills and valleys of the Andes. Brigitte, tired of trying to find a solution to get Tim home earlier, had the bright idea to get on a plane, with handluggage only consisting of some sexy underwear and a bikini, and give Tim a surprise visit in his room at the Princess.... But all the flights were fully booked. I admire your creative thinking Brigitte!!! Too bad it didn't work. I can see you hidden under his blanket when he arrives in his room at night.... Hola Gringo!!!!!


If Bram summits today or tomorrow, he´ll be back in Mendoza before Tim travels back to Holland, so time to catch up and have a great night out with the expedition boys!! Something to look forward t o, Tim! Btw, you might actually be reading this blog, I'm sure there are internet cafes around!!! H O L A T I M!!!!!


I had another super day today with the kids skiing, the weather is fantastic and not crowdy at all (it is winter break in France at the moment!!). Ben makes progress and skis by himself as long as it doesn't get too steep. Seb, Alex and Gab go around by themselves, meeting up for the traditional steak hache´frites. How come they taste soooooo good on the mountain???? ;-)


Hopefully Tim, who's in contact with the expedition company in Mendoza, will have news about Bram soon. I have to admit that even if my mind is never worried about Bram's doings, and I always say that I'm completely cool, my stomach gives me away. I have a huge lump or worries that cramps up when I go to bed. The reason for my last 10 days of sleepless nights. I got some pills, based on plants, yesterday in the pharmacy, and I did indeed sleep better. Ridiculous me. Can't convince my own stomach to quit the crap.


Gotta go help Ben swimming, he's un unpatient little fellow! If I know more later, I'll be putting it on the blog immediately! Bram, I hope you were up there today and now resting in one of the camps on your way home. Miss you.

xx Jen