The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1929-06-17

of a vivid account by a Russian
worker in one of the government
offices in Moscow of a vacation he
took last year in the Caucasus.)
Tsey, Aug. 10.
THIS was a great day. 1 don't
know-no, l am sure-my poor
pencil does not possess even a hun
dredth part of the colors necessary
to describe all that we lived through
today. During all my life I dreamed
of seeing glacier. Today we were
on it. My! What a strange sensa-
ton. Imagine-but you'll have to
concentrate all your imagination-a
huge white field on which stand
groups and groups of sky blue places
Of most whimsical designs, some of
them crnamented with fountains,
waterfalls and narrow streams,
some with the most conventional
looking pillars and pyramids, while
some boast the straight lines of a
modern American skyscraper. 1t
was funny to sit on ice rocks, almost
naked, refreshing yourself with ice
water and chocolate. Our aim was
to reach the top of the Mountain
Ay Dor Kolh, which is $4,000 feet
above sea level. But our guide told
us we'd have to spend one more day
in order to do it. As we have al
ready lost day owing to the rain,
we decided to go as high as we
could in one day. With some strain,
though, we have reached the height
Of about 10000 feet. What breadth,
what freedom you experience in that
atmosphere. Our way back home
was spread with soft carpets of
snow. Occasionally the ice would
try to break through, but very sell
dom successfully.
1t was lovely to watch the argu-
ments between the mountain peaks
and the clouds. Some of the clouds,
you see, were jealous because we,
only mortals, managed to climb so
high as to be able to embrace parts
of the mountains that were usually
at their disposal. Naturally they
did not like it, so they tried to OBJ
cure some mountain parts. But Mr..
Mountain seemed to have grown
tired Of the everlasting, and, pos
sibly, forced union with clouds, so
he did not let them pass. Some
times, after long tries and waiting
in the line, Mr.. Mountain would be-
come generous and let some through.
But the lucky clouds that passed
were so few that we got clear
view. One of our girls suggested
having a ride on one of them.
Speaking of our women, I must
say that they have scored a record.
Our guide, a sixty-three-year-old
-"Driss"-gave them
certificate that they have reached
height no woman ever did.
THIS was a pleasant walk through
1 the Kassarsky Valley, one of the
most beautiful valleys there is on
this pleasant earth. Along the road
were numerous mineral springs.
Some people call the water "Nar-
zan," some "sour water"
I arrived at Zoromag about an
hour before the rest of the party,
as we had very little food with US
and 1 was asked to start my express
walk and prepare dinner. Our
worry was justified. l found no res
taurant here-only a cooperative.
I ordered samovar, but there was
not one. Finally 1 managed to pur-
chase sheep, which was slaugh-
tered and some meat prepared. Tea
and cheese completed our meal.
Another group of tourists (2S)
arrived. They are travelling in
"lineikas," a sort of cart on which
you sit sideways. We call the group
"invalids," as they started from
Moscow on the same days as we did
and are travelling in carts, and are
always a day or so later than we
are, in spite of us walking.
Our representative was bargain
ing for some horses, as we want to
go on horseback until the next stop.
After a long discussion, we found
out that the man he was bargaining
with has no saddles. When he was
asked why he bargained with US,
knowing that we want horses with
saddles only, he said that trade is
not very lively, SO he wants to en-
Joy at lease the pleasure of bargain
ing. Natasha says: "Pack up"
A VERY difficult and strenuous
II road. We are glad it is over.
Yes, the first time we are sleeping
in a PEASANTS home, called "saklia,"
dirty and smelly. The people here
don't understand a word of Russian.
So we are having great fun in ex-
planning ourselves by pictures. Imi-
tated cow in order to get milk,
but got hay instead, which was very
| vva1conoa as we had TO sleep on the