Day 2 - A Rainbow Without Rain

Today was a struggle through the 39-degree heat. But our heroes pounded out the 58 kilometers from Jessore to Gopalganj Junction with great perseverance. They did this accompanied by a rainbow, but not the kind that typically signifies hope and renewal. I'm referring to Chris's pee. He spent several moments throughout the day hidden in bamboo groves with his back turned to the road painfully squeezing out droplets of liquid that he ominously described as "increasing in darkness". With this painful gradient of color trapped inside Chris, we held our breath in hopeful anticipation every time he ducked into the roadside greenery. After what Chris describes as the only remedy--"fillin' it up and flushin' it out"--he finally came out with the "all clear". So that was certainly the quote of the day: "It's all clear! Chris gave us the all clear!" Never has a disappearing rainbow held a promise of such hope...

Perhaps the one who suffered most (or at least equally) was Chris's stalwart and empathetic partner. His growing consternation was touching to watch. Later, when all was indeed clear and the runners had reached the small river ferry at Kalna knowing there were only 4k to go on the other side, Marc demonstrated his relief and affection: at the end of the ferry dock, and soaring over surprisingly clean waters, the couple reenacted the iconic scene from Titanic--Chris in Kate's position and Marc in Leo's. Despite the oppressive midday heat, I swore I saw a rainbow spanning the river...


(Full album of the day available on the facebook page.)