ロバートからメールが届いた。

　Hey Takuji! I'm doing just fine and am still in Pakistan, today I applied for a new Chinese visa, I have got some interesting news for you.......
Well on the day I cycled down from the Kunjerab pass I had excellent weather and excellent cycling, I took some good pictures even but as I got close to Sust the first own in Pakistan I came to a huge landslide with cars and wagons and buses stopped just waiting for it to be cleared, well I tried to cycle across and as I was cycling across the stones a stone must have hit my rear mech. as suddenly it snapped and bent my chain and totally twisted itself. So I could ride no more. I was a bit pissed off but not hurt at all, so I'll tell you where I have been....
　I trekked to the top of the Batura glacier which took 5 days, it was excellent!!! I walked to the Ultar meadows and camped there, I also stopped at the Diran guesthouse and walked up to Rakaposhi base camp and walked across the glacier to the Diran base camp, I think its probably the most beautiful place I have been!!!
　Remember you are also welcome in England,
　
　take it easy
　Rob

（ロバートはクンジュラーブパスから下山中、崖崩れにあい、自転車が完全に壊れてしまったそうだ。幸い彼自身は無事であったそうだ。それから彼は自転車をやめてバトゥーラ氷河やラカポシやウルタル、ディランのベースキャンプをトレッキングした。カラコラムは今まで訪れた場所の中で一番美しい場所だ！！と締めている。）

僕はこの旅に行く際、外資系の会社に勤めていて、運良く有給をいただいて旅行に行けたのだけど、帰国するとその会社は潰れていた。正確に言うと年内の日本撤退が決まってしまったということなのだが・・・
でも、心は幸せで溢れていた。なぜなら僕は１ヶ月もカーテンを開けっ放しにしていたのだから。ロバートの言うように、一瞬一瞬に悔いのない人生を送れたら最高だと思う。