Class Blog 1. Tuesday, April 6 2010

1. In chapter 4, Self-Storage, we begin with the introduction to Mortensons "Storage Space" on his return to California from Islamabad. Mortenson has just returned from his K2 climb experience with the hopes of returning to the Balti poeple with a promise financing and constructing a school for the children. Mortenson explains his plans on rasing money for his promise to Haji Ali. During his return home, Mortenson returns to his storage stall with a recolection of his struggles during his past the most recent struggles with K2. Easing his pain, returning home helps him return to reality with this quote;

2. "Jet lag. Culture shock. Whatever name you gave the demons of dislocation, he'd been assailed by them often enough in the past. Which is why he'd come here, as he always did after returning from a climb-to Berkeley Self Storage stall 114. This musty space was Mortenson's anchor to himself."

3. To me, this quote creates a foundation for Mortenson to start or end something of extreeme importance. I think that because of Mortenson's experience at K2, he has to think about his life and the choices he has made, as well as brainstorm his future ideas for the Balti children. I think that this storage stall is more than just a place to relax and bring back comfort into his life, but also a place of meditation for his visions and goals. I picked this quote because I think the return to home was not what Mortenson expected. I think that returning to his stall forshadows his determination to help the children he has visited on his quest. I think this event connects the mental hardships and physical challenges Mortenson has faced, giving the reader an understanding of the importance of his home. This "anchor" to his life shows his realization for what life really is, and what he can do to influence it. This stall gives future reference for the seriousness Mortenson has for his plans of building this school for the Balti children.