La Dolce Vita

October 6^th

(10am)

Woke up to one of the most incredible sunrises of my life. Washed my face in the Adriatic Sea (too cold for a full swim) then made my last soup with my last bit of water for breakfast. Changed into the last of my clean clothes, and pushed off for the day.

Just as I left Lido Di Classe, my pedal came off again. Some workers on the side of the road were kind enough to try to fix it. But it just kept falling off, so they directed me to the nearest bike shop in French; to which, I rode, sans pedal, for 3 kms. When I arrived at the bike shop in a small little town that I don't even think has a name, there was only one worker, a woman, who then needed to call the mechanic in from the bar. Yep, he was down having an espresso with the boys. She must have mentioned to him the issue and when he showed up a few minutes later, by bike, he had a pedal in his hand. But, unfortunately, it was not the right size.

I asked, in my, ever improving Italian, where the next shop was (bicci reparazione), and he said a bunch of stuff and pointed to the next town on my map. About 7kms away. So, I started to get my bike and gear together again and then I saw him jumping up and down and waving his hands, "Blah blah blah arrivva, arrivva!". Ok, so, I put my bike back down, and as I sit outside the bike shop now, hiding in the shade as it is already 31C, I wait. For something. Or someone. To arrivvaa.

Eventually someone arrivaad. In fact, they had driven from the town 7km away, and brought with them several different pedals. One fit, they replaced it, and now I am off again.

October 7^th

(noon)

After a proper nights sleep (in a dry bed with a pillow and no worries of random attacks) I woke up early and packed my freshly washed clothes (I wash them in the shower on the every 4 days or so that I have one, by the way) ate a massive free breakfast (which s quickly becoming one of my favorite things in life) and checked out.

I received an email yesterday saying my passport is now in Rome, ready for me to pick up. So now I am on a mission, and I hope to get there in time for pick up Friday. However, then the real battle starts, since so far it appears the people working in the French embassy in Rome are even more horrible than those working in the French embassy in Vancouver. What government sanctions hanging up on people or yelling at them on the phone being an idiot? France's government does.

Faggettabahtit! (that was my Italian accent) Forget about it. Cause today's ride was heaven. I must have gone over a change of altitude of over 900m. I got sweaty I am now sticky with salt. And part of the highlight was I wasn't the only cyclist out on that route today. It was dotted with men yelling, "Bravo!, "Bellissimo!", and "Complimenti!" as I powered up the hills with panniers. To be fair, they were passing me up, but they knew, they had lighter, better bikes, clips on their feet, and weren't carrying 20kg of extra stuff.

I've stopped now for food. No matter what I eat, there is no way I could make up in calories right now for that last stretch. Hydration, that's a whole other issue. But I have only about 30km left to do today. And it's all flat with a tail wind. So I'm golden. Just Cruisin'.

(5pm)

After riding my bike 100km+ before 2pm, I was pleasantly surprised to find an internet café across from the train station. Oh, but first, I must brag that I bought my and my bikes train tickets in Italian! "uno persona et uno bicci a Roma." I completely made it up and it totally worked! It's my new language: FrEnglIan.

And I just have to say once more how great Italians are. How beautiful this country is, and how I want to come back ASAP! I think it is all these great things, but I bet in large part it is because I am comparing it to the mean Germans and their dirty rainy country with nothing good to eat but things immigrants have brought, and honestly, nothing redeeming about that place. Not even after a week of sun to forget about it all.

Italians, on the flip side, are both hilarious and fun and funny. La Dolce Vita! They keep talking to me even though they know I don't understand. They are so warm and helpful. And they love their country and way of life. Me too!

So now I am headed on a train from Falconara MArittime to Roma, 'El Capitalo'. I feel strong and ready to explore the city, as well as prepare for the French embassy on Monday.

(7pm)

It is amazing at not only how much food but also water I need after 100km. I've eaten a huge meal at 5 and am already starving, plus I drank over a Litre of water since getting on the train and haven't peed yet!