On the road, literally and figuratively.

On the road, literally and figuratively.

Today is a new day. We have been riding through northern France for the past week and it has been so many things. I've realized that life on the road, both literally and figuratively, has its peaks and valleys... Blissful moments and times where you must push yourself to get over the hill to see the landscape behind it.

France has been quite different for us because we have been physically riding on the road here rather than on backroads or cycle paths.We now ride next to the cars (not cows) on the narrow country roads. I've had bugs fly into my eyes, nose, ears, mouth on several occasions. We've popped more roadside squats then I ever thought possible (for those of you who know Europe, you know how uncommon the WC is). We've ridden on some amazingly smooth surfaces, as well as rough gravel and sandy ones too. There has been every type of roadkill, but also some people selling homemade cheese and mussels. We have learned to take everything for what it is.

I've realized that being on the road, in a more figurative sense, means learning to find comfort in uncomfortable and unsure situations. I haven't been in the same place for more than 2 weeks since October, and we haven't slept in beds in a month. These were all choices, but if I couldn't learn to habituate to constant change I think I would go crazy. Sometimes I wonder what I will feel when I live somewhere after this year of travel. Will I be ansy or welcome the calm security. I guess I will find out. For now, I am enjoying the flux as much as I can. Meeting new people everyday, saying goodbye to people with ease, setting up our 'house' wherever we land, and not clinging to anything except the idea that everything is ephemeral. In the end, I think I am more flexible but also appreciative for all the stable people in my life.

In terms of the landscape here, there are way more hills and valleys than the Netherlands (duh). With this landscape comes hard cycling followed by blissful breezes as you soar at 30mph down into a georgous valley.

While on these winding roads, we have had our fair share of mishaps ranging from campsites to cycle routes. Our first few days in France on LF1 were long but we didn't seem to be getting too far. Turns out, the route avoids major roads at all costs. Beautiful scenery for sure. Campsites, ahhh campsites. The first one we went to, we left because he showed us to a patch of dirt behind a bunch of motorhomes that was less appetizing than camping in a field on the side of the road. The next two, however, were some of our favorites. They were small and on farms with horses/chickens/pigs/ and fresh milk! When we reached the coast, though, we cycled our hearts out trying to find a site that was not 'complet' or full... 73 miles that day.

We also, however, have had some really warm welcomes back to France that majorly offset the mishaps. For example, there have been countless thumbs up, honks in approval, and general helpfulness. A woman with her baby walking by said to him, "quel courage" about us as we rode by. The epic 73 mile day we had included receptionists that gave us directions to other sites along with helpful strangers on the street even attempting english to help us find our way. One man even stopped his car, got out, and was making sure we got on our way. And here is one that really made our day: as we slumped our stuff down at our succesful campsite , we must have looked really pathetic because our neighbors came over with meat shish kebabs and gave them to us. It was then that I nearly broke down from the day.. Out of appreciation for the goodness in people, not the exhaustion from bad circumstances and timing.

Like I said in the beginning, today is a new day. We will be in Paris by Monday and are surely looking forward to it. All of the ups and downs are just part of the ride we are on, and if you expect to ride only downhill, you're in for some hills ahead. (sorry for the cheesy metaphor)

L