The route bounced my UAZ Russian jeep on unpaved roadways through the grassy steppes and hills. The weather in early autumn here is unpredictable. Strong winds tear in from Siberia and with it the elements. During this particular time all was clear. Then dark rolling clouds fingered over the hill tops moving against the direction we were traveling. When we met, the sky opened up with rain and hail which pelted and pinged the jeep’s skin and canvas roof.
Through the blurred windows I could see stray herds of horses and livestock running towards each other instinctively to gather and brave the challenge together. Water collected in an unforgiving manner on the roads as dry brooks swelled and splashed. What was once a dry dusty trail consisting of two tracks formed from the tires of sporadic passing vehicles was now mud. We slipped and slid, getting stuck a few times. Then as fast as the weather came, it passed. The clouds rolled and tumbled away. The darkness of the sky returned to blue and then with the regaining sunlight this full spectrum rainbow appeared. It arched brilliantly.
Linh Vien Thai is Amerasian, born in Dalat, South Vietnam, where he continued to lived during the war. He left for the U.S. and is now an American living in Tokyo. He enjoys adventure traveling and doing what’s right to make the world a better place.
