First glimpses of Greece

19/3/11

Kalamata, Greece


Snowcapped views, sun, 70F, and biking; what more could a lad want?



We have spent the last four days in the southernmost part of the Greek mainland: Peloponnesus. What we have found is nothing but the most amazing scenery with the smallest of towns and a smattering of different landscapes. The only constant in all of the region is the olive tree, which has a stranglehold on the flora, both farmed and wild.




Valleys that feel as ancient as the Earth, covered with olive trees; Jurassic Park!



I am keeping this short because of the need for sleep. Expect more pictures and actual stories the next time we wed. Until that moment comes, stay strong and eat some feta cheese!

Venice: Worth the Wait

9/3/11 (finished 14/3/11)

Metz, France (finished on the Mediterranean)


The view out our Venetian hotel's window; the pretty girl was a nice bonus


Phase 3 (three) has begun in earnest, with the reunion of Bob and Laura at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris. Ever since then, it has felt as though I were on a vacation within a vacation within a vacation. That's right, three levels, which seems appropriate considering the number of the current phase. What I mean is that I am already on a Break From Life™ by being out in Europe. I then decided not to cycle to Paris but rather to spend more time in Sicilia and then take a train (like a vacation from the cycling). And finally, now I have been enjoying just being with Laura again, staying two days in Paris before training to Metz and relaxing with Mark, her uncle, once more. A previous post, way back in the days of Paul and Deb, detailed the changes that occur when switching from 90 km a day in bad weather over hill and dale to relaxing with friends, drinking beer, and stuffing your face full without that same biking-induced hunger. The conclusion I came to was that even though that was an opportunity to rest and recover, the stay only made me more tired. Perhaps this is due to staying up late talking with new people and getting to know their way of life; perhaps it is from an inability to sleep in, still waking up at the crack of dawn even with the license to rest longer; and perhaps it is from my body's metabolism severely shutting down once I step off the bike. Whatever the case, these breaks from cycling seem to leave me only craving the open road once more.

This does not mean that I am not enjoying the chance to catch my breath and enjoy some quality time with Laura. After all, we had been apart for seven months, emailing occasionally and talking even less regularly. Being on my own since January 7, I had been quietly having my own adventures out in Italia and Sicilia but with an eye perpetually turned toward March 3, the day Laura would fly into Paris. So enough of this wishy washy mushy gushy stuff; what have we been up to, out here in Paris, in Venice, on the Mediterranean?


Sweet masks for the Venetian Carnivale


For starters, Laura has been getting into more trouble with the law than I ever have in my six months out here. In the future, we know not to bring giant knives to the Eiffel Tower. Also, the one time your cousin scans you into the Metro using her free pass is the one time that they will check for tickets at your stop. And did you know kidnapping was illegal out here, too? I am sorry for dashing so many of your dreams, but it is true.

Aside from attempts at stabbing to death metal national symbols, we have been fully enjoying the French and Italian ways of life. What does this translate to? Why, cheese, wine, and prosciutto, all in massive heaps. One of Laura's uncle's friends invited us to his lovely house for lunch one day and thrilled us with the most delicious wine, a perfectly crafted local sausage, and a righteous collection of the best French cheeses.

Us at the Eiffel Tower. What a sight!


His family and the surrounding countryside were delightful to boot. We spent a great deal of time with her uncle Mark, who has been living in France teaching English in various posts for the majority of his life. Not only does he have a great sense of humor, wonderful taste in music and movies, and a knack for conversation, but he also can cook something fierce. Unfortunately, we did not have as much pasta this time around as Sean and I did the previous time, but the chicken that he prepared us was succulent and gone all too quickly. When not eating, we fooled around with his CDs and tapes, finding such gems as Strawberry Alarm Clock and Beck's entire discography. Among other movies, the three of us watched Bonnie and Clyde, which certainly gave me some inspiration for Greece. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing once again in Metz and was especially happy to be in Mark and Laura's company again.

While I certainly skimmed over Paris and have not yet mentioned Venice, suffice it to say that those two places are nothing short of magical, magnetic cities that draw you in and do not let go.



Lost in Venice at night



Indeed, if we had the time (and the money: those places are deathtraps for budgets!), we would have stayed for a full week in each, exploring the architectural and cultural beauty of Paris and being perpetually lost in the human maze that is Venice. These two places I would not hesitate to recommend to any traveler, and I can only marvel at the indelible mark they have each left on my heart.

Wherefore now? Oh where next in the great adventure? I am overjoyed to be getting back on the bike tomorrow and riding in a completely new country. We plan to spend 2-3 weeks together in Greece before taking a ferry to Turkey and finishing the ride to Istanbul (Laura is somewhat limited on time away from her job and dog). What we will find I can only dream of today, and I had better do it quickly, for tomorrow it will be a reality!