A few years ago when I lived in Tierra el Fuego, I walked a certain trail along a river every other night for hours and got to know it pretty well, even in the dark. That part of the world, I might mention, was so devoid of lights, that on those occasional nights when the sky was clear there was actually enough starlight to walk by; so much so that it cast a shadow. It was eerie at first, having a distinct shadow under me for no apparent reason, but I soon got used to it and never missed a chance to go out on starry nights, and when the moon was out, it was almost like daylight, so strong was the combined effect. I won’t go as far as to say one could get a moontan, but it’s a way to underline a point. Regardless of the moon and stars, what made an appearance most nights was the wind. The cold too, but above all, the wind. The wind and the cold teaming up, making me keep a brisk pace, jacket, gloves, hat, scarf, boots and all, or start to shiver, so on the whole, I moved right along. Not that I thought it was witty, but it was rumored that any crime in those parts, if it was committed outside, was done in cold blood.
Maybe Truman Capote was down here once, I thought at the time, and came up with a good title for a book. Not easy to do as you’ll find out, in case you ever try it.