48 DATE WITH THE GODS
shape than I. I had to stop and rest several times. Finally,
she took me by the arm and helped me climb the rest of
the way.
While she held my arm and we climbed the hill, she
continued talking to me. I was happy to just listen.
"This is another reason why you'll find us here," she
said. "This type of atmosphere, this thin air, is right for
us. Just as in our own world. This is the type of air we
breathe normally. And being isolated gives us lots of
room to move about unmolested-dear skies, not too
much air traffic, no radar. This is our type of area. The
native Peruvians are always kind to us. They think we
are, as you've said before, part of the Peace Corps. They
seldom, if ever, bother us. And we don't bother them.
They help us; we help them. This is the one place where
we can be ourselves without worrying about the hor
rible world in which you live out there. Understand?"
"Yes," I said, panting, "but I can't make it to the top. It's
too steep."
"Yes, you can," she said firmly, putting even more
pressure on my arm. She still showed no signs of tiring.
Then, quite suddenly, I started feeling new energy and
strength. I was amazed. At this altitude, the slightest
amount of exercise for even a few minutes would be
extremely tiring for anyone not used to the atmospheric
conditions. When we finally made it to the top, still
breathless, I wondered how I had done it. Rama seemed
unaffected. She pointed to some higher mountains in
the distance about 40 or 50 miles. The icy grandeur of
those sweeping forms was even more breathtaking than
the climb up the hill had been.
"That's it, Charles," she said. "Our temporary home
on this green water planet."
"Those white mountains out there?" I said, incredu
lous. "Is that where you people live?"