I now understand why Spain has always captivated so many travelers, writers, songwriters, and athletes alike. The weather has been nothing but immaculate since our arrival. 65 degrees and sunny by day, 40's and crispy star-filled skies by night. Aside from a few (very) cold days on the bike in Italy, I am beginning to think we have successfully sidestepped winter altogether... A new idea for a Midwestern boy accustomed to months of bravely bundling through the thick of it each year.
The landscape reminds me of a mixture of Southern California, Utah, and Colorado (based on my limited exposure to places around the globe). The rocky hills, full of caves, sharp spires, and sheer cliffs hold a vegetation like the desert. It never rains! Yet from nearly any high point you are struck by the open aqua blueness of the Mediterrenean. Sweet contrast that seems only appropriate in sun-drenched Costa Blanca. One crop that flourishes here, and a delicious treat of taste, smell, and sight, are the almond trees blossoming on every hillside terrace. Row after row of white-pink petals soften the parched, brown soil all around.
We have incorporated the local almonds into every snack of the day, along with the other tasty Spanish treats; figs, dates, oranges, jamon (cured ham that rivals Italian prosciutto), chorizo (spanish sausage cured with peppers and herbs), and cafe solo which is espresso just slightly bigger than Italian espresso, moving us a little closer back to American coffee.
Living at a climber's ranch full of English outdoors people has not exposed us to as much local culture as we were used to on the road, but we are learning just as much. I have learned much about the UK and the cultures of the different regions from London and Oxford to Scotland to Northern Ireland and Wales. I really want to visit more of the UK someday, especially to check out the mountaineering and climbing scene. I have had the privilege to get out climbing with groups of folks from the Orange House, all with far more experience on rock than I. I am definitely holding my own and loving pulling on rock again, but the climbing routes here are longer and more complex than many in Iowa. My new climbing friends still enjoy hearing about the Midwestern crags that we romp on in Iowa!
Remember your first stage fright experience? I was reminded of the feeling this weekend while I successfully killed the engine of a rental stick-shift Fiat 500, at a red light, during rush hour...5 times in a row. Honking, hollering, the whole bit. I had driven stick before in the USA, but never in hilly Spanish cities where the streets are half as wide and every street is a one way. What a trial by fire! By the end of the weekend, I had become fluid in my clutch-control, and whipping through roundabouts and navigating the backstreets and country roads of Spain was a blast! It turns out that renting a car is cheaper than even taking a bus in most cases, perfect for finding freedom and mobility on a budget. Ashley and I took advantage of the widened horizon for the weekend and road-tripped daily to climbing crags, windy mountain roads, hiking trails in national parks, and Saturday outdoor markets which resembled an episode of American Pickers on full display. You name it, somebody's selling it... Old, new, local, foreign, cheap, valuable. Fun to shuffle through the throngs of people and smell frying churros (memories of funnel cakes at the fair), but our favorites were the huge expanses of wilderness where you could hear nothing but the wind.
One hike took us to the top of Puig Campana, the second highest point in the region at almost 5000 ft. In just under three hours we summited from almost a sea-level start, hard work! The visual effect from the peak was incredible, comparable to the feeling on top of a 14'er in the Rockies (peak of 14,000 ft or higher). In the 360 degree panorama was 80 miles of coastline on which the sea looked fake, like a painting with water colors. Inland was more layers of hills, mountains, and rocky outcrops, funneling into valleys of vineyards and almond orchards. The descent is always equally testing, as you must focus on every single foot placement to avoid a rolled ankle, or worse, a slip n slide on loose scree down the mountain. We rewarded ourselves for completing a "black route" trail in 5 1/2 hrs (just like ski slopes, green=easiest, blue=media, black=expert) with tapas and happy hour at the local tap in Finestrat.
I am tramming into Alicante once per week to tutor a 14 year old caballero named Nestor. We hang out and speak English, mostly dribbling the soccer ball back and forth in the park. He is sharp as a tack, and understands everything I say in English. His own speech is improving everyday, and I'm sure he will be fluent within a few years with or without my help. But I enjoy learning from him just as much, so the benefit is mutual for sure. The hourly rate helps pay for date night and the tram to and fro. Great find! A majority of Spanish parents are looking for English speakers to be conversation buddies with their children, and willing to pay by the hour. It's cool that we can find odds and ends even while traveling.
Another beautiful sunny day has passed, new bushwhack running trails have been discovered, the climbers are returning from the crags, and I smell food from the outdoor communal kitchen... Likely the famous chef Chris Moore whipping up a Mediterrenean standard for us. Props to the hand that feeds, he will be missed upon his departure.
Live well, and whenever possible, think big about making dreams become reality. Tis all in the hands of the dreamer to make his journey progress.
Thanks and love,
CM
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Oranges and a House
When "ramble-traveling" (constantly moving with no binding itinerary other than the natural rise and fall of the sun), things are only remembered in long chunks of time... Your brain starts defining the timing of events in broad terms like "during the cold spell with fog" or "that sunny day on the mountain road" or "before we met Vincenzo". I am never able to recall "oh yeah, last Tuesday!" or "two weeks ago we did x y and Z". Individual stories do, however, come out of the woodwork in vivid detail once a spark is created. Luckily, traveling with a partner allows you to bounce the memories back and forth between you to recreate each scene to the T. The details of the memories are so searing and real because while living the ramble-travel, you are fully immersed in each moment (at least that's the goal), your brain subconsciously lapping up each new turn in the road with amazing childlike curiosity.
I highly recommend ramble-travel anytime you can break away and commit to simply blowing with the wind. Sure, all the famous sites may not be fit in without a well-planned itinerary, but millions of people have seen the famous sites. Free yourself to take the opportunities that are opened up when you dont have a train, plane, or show to catch. Like being invited to make pizza dough with a 4th generation Italian chef because you were chatting him up and had time to kill. the rambling can be merely a week or a long weekend, or even one day, but allowing yourself this "loosy goosy" approach to travel can often pay off with truly unique experiences that you will never forget.
An example of this happened for us when we rolled into Palermo, Sicily completely unannounced and without a plan on a rainy night (the 8th in a row for us). Our goal to take a ship to valencia, Spain was trounced when we arrived at the port to be informed that the one ship of the week was cancelled due to dangerously stormy seas...rare for such a big ship. So the scramble began, and we ended up at a lovely hostel for a wonderful 12 euro per night where we made some new friends from Norway who were studying there. As we checked out the night life of the cool port town of Palermo with our new Northern friends, we realized that the misfortune of a cancelled ship turned into a sweet chance. Take a day's tour of the legendary Palermo with a "behind the scenes" city tour designed around the true heartbeat of the city and culture, not simply the tourist sites. We learned all about the melting pot flavor of Palermo, centered between northern Africa, Italy, and the rest of Europe, and vitally important to thousands of years of commerce in the region. We also got to talk straight about the Mafia's involvement in Sicily, which essentially governs itself autonomously from the Italian government. Is the Mafia actually real and powerful here? Why do you think the government of a powerful top-ten worldwide nation would leave Sicily alone and let it rule itself?? Yes, the Mafia is present, and are involved in everything from world politics to providing water and other utilities to Sicilian citizens... Just to name one region.
We finished our time in Italy just in just to miss 6ft of snow in some areas as far south as Rome!" The 60 year winter" they are calling it. The plan to continue pedaling north up the Tyrrenian sea coast after Sicily had to be changed... With half of Italy shut down for days in paralyzingly snow and cold, and with my knee giving me sure signs that I better rest it and evaluate my body mechanics before riding more long days, we looked to the weather radar for the most consistent spot for sun in the Mediterrenean... Costa Blanca Spain (Valencia and Alicante receive 320 days of sun per year)
Traveling long distances by boat at 25 mph truly gives you the feeling that you are changing your surroundings drastically. You chug along in the ocean blue, rolling with the waves, only occasionally passing a blip of land on the horizon...a remote, rocky island maybe, before you arrive in a completely new culture on a new day. A combination of two boat rides , 20 hrs each, brought us to Barcelona, Spain. Our second boat ride, we were 2 of 11 total passengers on a huge 9-story retired cruise ship. The experience was funny, as the drained pools and hot tubs, abandoned show-tune auditoriums, and deck-top sun loungers tell the story of a more prosperous time in this boat's cruising days. We were blessed with a private cabin, complete with separate beds (quite new and refreshing for us), and a nice shower. I guess the shipping company felt for us, being 2 of 11, as we literally had a personal barista, piano dance hall, and friendly concierge at our service. Thanks crew!
We are now in an Oasis of rest, rejuvenation, and inspiration at the Orange House in Finestrat, Spain. The Orange House is an adventure ranch in the foothills of the rocky limestone cliffs famous in this area. The whole concept of the place centers around a community approach to active adventure.. everyone pitches in to keep up the superbly entertaining property which is equipped with guesthouses, cabins, live chickens who lay morning eggs, dozens of friendly dogs, delicious orange grove, communal kitchen, and local insight into the best places to bike, climb, hike, and rock out! Our contribution of a few hours of chores per day allows us use of it all free of charge, and separate, cozy tent spots in the orange grove. Breakfast in bed?? I can reach the days finest citrus from my tent door :) A whole tent to myself?? This is starting to sound like a luxury vacation all of a sudden.... Careful.
I am very excited to have found this bustling community of adventurers. We are among about 30 ramblers who are either paying guests here to rock climb the Spanish crags for a week, folks who liked this place so much they found themselves here for a decade or more, or like-minded young'ns like ourselves looking to adventure and stretch the euro.
The next chapter in our traveling cuisine schoolbook will surely include Spanish Iberico ham, aged for more than 2 years its own fat, paella dishes filled with daily catch and spices from the sea, and a new type of pastry that rivals even the Italian brioche of our past month. The first stop in Alicante at 6am this morning after an overnight bus of no sleep? The open air market of course, the #1 way to learn a culture is to walk the street market. Traveling with a chef in training is wonderful...I've really developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of good food and drink learning from Chris. And all on a bike bum budget! Brilliant! (as the English climbers would say here).
Special thanks to Ashley, who rolled out of bed at 4am to be our personal tour guide of her gorgeous city of study abroad.
While stationary for now, feel like the rambling fun is just beginning! Thanks to all you lovely people caring to read. :)
CM
I highly recommend ramble-travel anytime you can break away and commit to simply blowing with the wind. Sure, all the famous sites may not be fit in without a well-planned itinerary, but millions of people have seen the famous sites. Free yourself to take the opportunities that are opened up when you dont have a train, plane, or show to catch. Like being invited to make pizza dough with a 4th generation Italian chef because you were chatting him up and had time to kill. the rambling can be merely a week or a long weekend, or even one day, but allowing yourself this "loosy goosy" approach to travel can often pay off with truly unique experiences that you will never forget.
An example of this happened for us when we rolled into Palermo, Sicily completely unannounced and without a plan on a rainy night (the 8th in a row for us). Our goal to take a ship to valencia, Spain was trounced when we arrived at the port to be informed that the one ship of the week was cancelled due to dangerously stormy seas...rare for such a big ship. So the scramble began, and we ended up at a lovely hostel for a wonderful 12 euro per night where we made some new friends from Norway who were studying there. As we checked out the night life of the cool port town of Palermo with our new Northern friends, we realized that the misfortune of a cancelled ship turned into a sweet chance. Take a day's tour of the legendary Palermo with a "behind the scenes" city tour designed around the true heartbeat of the city and culture, not simply the tourist sites. We learned all about the melting pot flavor of Palermo, centered between northern Africa, Italy, and the rest of Europe, and vitally important to thousands of years of commerce in the region. We also got to talk straight about the Mafia's involvement in Sicily, which essentially governs itself autonomously from the Italian government. Is the Mafia actually real and powerful here? Why do you think the government of a powerful top-ten worldwide nation would leave Sicily alone and let it rule itself?? Yes, the Mafia is present, and are involved in everything from world politics to providing water and other utilities to Sicilian citizens... Just to name one region.
We finished our time in Italy just in just to miss 6ft of snow in some areas as far south as Rome!" The 60 year winter" they are calling it. The plan to continue pedaling north up the Tyrrenian sea coast after Sicily had to be changed... With half of Italy shut down for days in paralyzingly snow and cold, and with my knee giving me sure signs that I better rest it and evaluate my body mechanics before riding more long days, we looked to the weather radar for the most consistent spot for sun in the Mediterrenean... Costa Blanca Spain (Valencia and Alicante receive 320 days of sun per year)
Traveling long distances by boat at 25 mph truly gives you the feeling that you are changing your surroundings drastically. You chug along in the ocean blue, rolling with the waves, only occasionally passing a blip of land on the horizon...a remote, rocky island maybe, before you arrive in a completely new culture on a new day. A combination of two boat rides , 20 hrs each, brought us to Barcelona, Spain. Our second boat ride, we were 2 of 11 total passengers on a huge 9-story retired cruise ship. The experience was funny, as the drained pools and hot tubs, abandoned show-tune auditoriums, and deck-top sun loungers tell the story of a more prosperous time in this boat's cruising days. We were blessed with a private cabin, complete with separate beds (quite new and refreshing for us), and a nice shower. I guess the shipping company felt for us, being 2 of 11, as we literally had a personal barista, piano dance hall, and friendly concierge at our service. Thanks crew!
We are now in an Oasis of rest, rejuvenation, and inspiration at the Orange House in Finestrat, Spain. The Orange House is an adventure ranch in the foothills of the rocky limestone cliffs famous in this area. The whole concept of the place centers around a community approach to active adventure.. everyone pitches in to keep up the superbly entertaining property which is equipped with guesthouses, cabins, live chickens who lay morning eggs, dozens of friendly dogs, delicious orange grove, communal kitchen, and local insight into the best places to bike, climb, hike, and rock out! Our contribution of a few hours of chores per day allows us use of it all free of charge, and separate, cozy tent spots in the orange grove. Breakfast in bed?? I can reach the days finest citrus from my tent door :) A whole tent to myself?? This is starting to sound like a luxury vacation all of a sudden.... Careful.
I am very excited to have found this bustling community of adventurers. We are among about 30 ramblers who are either paying guests here to rock climb the Spanish crags for a week, folks who liked this place so much they found themselves here for a decade or more, or like-minded young'ns like ourselves looking to adventure and stretch the euro.
The next chapter in our traveling cuisine schoolbook will surely include Spanish Iberico ham, aged for more than 2 years its own fat, paella dishes filled with daily catch and spices from the sea, and a new type of pastry that rivals even the Italian brioche of our past month. The first stop in Alicante at 6am this morning after an overnight bus of no sleep? The open air market of course, the #1 way to learn a culture is to walk the street market. Traveling with a chef in training is wonderful...I've really developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of good food and drink learning from Chris. And all on a bike bum budget! Brilliant! (as the English climbers would say here).
Special thanks to Ashley, who rolled out of bed at 4am to be our personal tour guide of her gorgeous city of study abroad.
While stationary for now, feel like the rambling fun is just beginning! Thanks to all you lovely people caring to read. :)
CM
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Southern Sweetness
After a week in the dark, I admit that it feels good to connect to the digital world again! Our expectation that large cities will have wi-fi everywhere, not so... This is not the USA, and that's a good new experience. So I will take this 30 mins of connection to rattle off the memorables from the last week.
Arrived In Bologna after riding through freezing fog for two days...eerie. The trees, power lines, fences, everything appeared that an instantaneous ice age had swept through Northern Italy, ice-fog literally hanging from every surface.
We unfortunately do not have the budget or the logistical capabilities to absorb all that the great Italian cities have to offer. While bike touring is, in my opinion, the best way to see the world, you must constantly be aware of where your bici is, and keep a close eye on your bags in the cities. We are not willing to pay 20 euro a night on a hostel, and pitching our tent in the city park is still a bit taboo. The rural, rustic life is the best and most affordable in bici.
As is common in the world of cycling, knee pain has plagued me thus far. Cyclists know that it sometimes takes weeks to find that perfect position on the bike to avoid knee pain while pedaling hours a day. Considering the bitter cold, my knee issue, and the reality that Chris and I have places to be in March, we chose to boogy southward on train. This plan worked nicely! We are now 250 km further south, 20 deg warmer, and the rest day did well for my knee.
In between the then and now, we have slept in a chruch basement (huge thanks to the awesome folks of Ca Morosini), been hosted by friars at the friary in Imola (thanks for the prosciutto guys!), been fed a free family meal in Rastignano, and were treated like local celebrities in Poggio Renatico. All of the warmth and hospitality has been a huge morale boost in these days of tough miles and numb extremities. Gratitude. In 6 nights we have only tented out one night.
Our honest question to the locals each evening has been "where can we camp and be safe?".... That seems to directly translate to "house us, feed us, and teach us all about your lifestyle" because we have been overwhelmed by unsolicited kindness at every turn. (Add this term to your phrase books) "dove possiamo campeggiare?" I haven't looked in a mirror in a week, but judging from the look of my partner (hottie Chris!) and our hosts willingness to care for us, we must look weathered. Haha!
Today was an amazing day on the bike. Rolling hills through grape vineyards, Adriatic Sea to the left, huge snow-capped Appennini Mtns to the right. 10 min climbs to little sun-bronzed villages built into the sides of the hills. Oranges growing within arms reach of the road. Winding decents into river valleys, actually cooling us from the heat of the climb. Very nice to be without stocking caps and coats. My knee was better today, and with a clutch pasta lunch and Internet connection, we are full of momentum once again.
Lanciano, Abruzzo. Great town!
Missing you all! Your words of encouragement help a lot! Pedal on... With love.
CM
Arrived In Bologna after riding through freezing fog for two days...eerie. The trees, power lines, fences, everything appeared that an instantaneous ice age had swept through Northern Italy, ice-fog literally hanging from every surface.
We unfortunately do not have the budget or the logistical capabilities to absorb all that the great Italian cities have to offer. While bike touring is, in my opinion, the best way to see the world, you must constantly be aware of where your bici is, and keep a close eye on your bags in the cities. We are not willing to pay 20 euro a night on a hostel, and pitching our tent in the city park is still a bit taboo. The rural, rustic life is the best and most affordable in bici.
As is common in the world of cycling, knee pain has plagued me thus far. Cyclists know that it sometimes takes weeks to find that perfect position on the bike to avoid knee pain while pedaling hours a day. Considering the bitter cold, my knee issue, and the reality that Chris and I have places to be in March, we chose to boogy southward on train. This plan worked nicely! We are now 250 km further south, 20 deg warmer, and the rest day did well for my knee.
In between the then and now, we have slept in a chruch basement (huge thanks to the awesome folks of Ca Morosini), been hosted by friars at the friary in Imola (thanks for the prosciutto guys!), been fed a free family meal in Rastignano, and were treated like local celebrities in Poggio Renatico. All of the warmth and hospitality has been a huge morale boost in these days of tough miles and numb extremities. Gratitude. In 6 nights we have only tented out one night.
Our honest question to the locals each evening has been "where can we camp and be safe?".... That seems to directly translate to "house us, feed us, and teach us all about your lifestyle" because we have been overwhelmed by unsolicited kindness at every turn. (Add this term to your phrase books) "dove possiamo campeggiare?" I haven't looked in a mirror in a week, but judging from the look of my partner (hottie Chris!) and our hosts willingness to care for us, we must look weathered. Haha!
Today was an amazing day on the bike. Rolling hills through grape vineyards, Adriatic Sea to the left, huge snow-capped Appennini Mtns to the right. 10 min climbs to little sun-bronzed villages built into the sides of the hills. Oranges growing within arms reach of the road. Winding decents into river valleys, actually cooling us from the heat of the climb. Very nice to be without stocking caps and coats. My knee was better today, and with a clutch pasta lunch and Internet connection, we are full of momentum once again.
Lanciano, Abruzzo. Great town!
Missing you all! Your words of encouragement help a lot! Pedal on... With love.
CM
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Life On a Bike and a $10 (euro) Bill
Each mile passed makes it feel more like an adventure. Our goodbyes were said, not always easily, but the excitement of the horizon soon emerged.
Airport terminals are colorful places. In the same realm as food markets, they show the true personality of society and culture. Ultimately, every traveler is in the same boat; shuffling through security lines barefoot, catching up on their journaling, sleeping, reading, wrestling crosswords, or simply thinking.
Thinking gets done during travel. About the place you left, the place you're going, and the people who connect it all. Life is put into perspective. You are able to push back and appreciate.
Being apart brings people together. Each time I leave the people I love, my feelings grow stronger. The time spent physically together is more special, for sure. Soak those moments of togetherness.
Send off exhasution with endless thirst for more, more life, more learning, more loving. Feed your curiosity. Tenaciously live!
Day 4 and so far right on budget. 10 euro per day. The world's best cappucino = 1.30 euro. Fresh, homemade croissant = 1 euro. Prosciutto and mozzarella panino = 1.20 euro. This will be easy!
Until the 3,000 mile bike trip begins Calories, calories, calories.
So far in 3 days we have backpacked up Mt. Grappa, slept in an unheated mtn lodge, partied with the mountain folk on their annual winter festa in the Rifugio (mountain hut). We were treated like guests of honor. Fed homegrown olives soaked in salt, peperoncini, and herbs. Local wine from grapes grown in the back yard. Blueberry Grappa. Whoa! Alcohol content unknown.
We hitchhiked back to town after emerging from the bush. 75 year old Italian signore who spoke such thick dialect of the old language I understood 5%. Ha! He never stopped telling us stories the entire ride. He was pure joy. His parting words..."Bravi!"
The bikes have been retrieved from all corners of Europe, and now we are due ragazzi e due bici! (two guys two bikes) Plan to leave tomorrow, heading South toward the distant Sicily. 700+ miles. The locals all think we're crazy, riding and camping in Winter. My answer "We're from Iowa!" They love our gusto, and everyone we meet wants to be on the team. Giving us snacks, pats on the backs, and tips on the Italian landscape to come. If anyone understands our mission, it's the old timers in the bike shop. They were us once. In their primes. Tackling any challenge. As quickly as they jokingly give us a hard time and say we're nuts, they jump into serious conversation and analysis about our gear, our route, our bikes.
Big shout-out to Zamar Sport bike shop in Castelfranco, Veneto. Luciano is an owner who still gets his hands dirty and lives tenaciously. A pillar of fortitude in the local cycling culture. Head mechanic, Michele, is very thorough and one of the most savvy mechanics I have seen. They love the fact that their work is contributing on such a grand adventure. You rock guys!
Of course, I wouldn't know Zamar without Ron Palazzo, my cycling mentor. Thank you Renato! Pedale forte!
I wouldn't be here, embarking on this life-changing journey, without you all. Friends, family, acquaintences, and total strangers. For it is the people of the world that drive me to go out and experience it firsthand. Grazie!
Airport terminals are colorful places. In the same realm as food markets, they show the true personality of society and culture. Ultimately, every traveler is in the same boat; shuffling through security lines barefoot, catching up on their journaling, sleeping, reading, wrestling crosswords, or simply thinking.
Thinking gets done during travel. About the place you left, the place you're going, and the people who connect it all. Life is put into perspective. You are able to push back and appreciate.
Being apart brings people together. Each time I leave the people I love, my feelings grow stronger. The time spent physically together is more special, for sure. Soak those moments of togetherness.
Send off exhasution with endless thirst for more, more life, more learning, more loving. Feed your curiosity. Tenaciously live!
Day 4 and so far right on budget. 10 euro per day. The world's best cappucino = 1.30 euro. Fresh, homemade croissant = 1 euro. Prosciutto and mozzarella panino = 1.20 euro. This will be easy!
Until the 3,000 mile bike trip begins Calories, calories, calories.
So far in 3 days we have backpacked up Mt. Grappa, slept in an unheated mtn lodge, partied with the mountain folk on their annual winter festa in the Rifugio (mountain hut). We were treated like guests of honor. Fed homegrown olives soaked in salt, peperoncini, and herbs. Local wine from grapes grown in the back yard. Blueberry Grappa. Whoa! Alcohol content unknown.
We hitchhiked back to town after emerging from the bush. 75 year old Italian signore who spoke such thick dialect of the old language I understood 5%. Ha! He never stopped telling us stories the entire ride. He was pure joy. His parting words..."Bravi!"
The bikes have been retrieved from all corners of Europe, and now we are due ragazzi e due bici! (two guys two bikes) Plan to leave tomorrow, heading South toward the distant Sicily. 700+ miles. The locals all think we're crazy, riding and camping in Winter. My answer "We're from Iowa!" They love our gusto, and everyone we meet wants to be on the team. Giving us snacks, pats on the backs, and tips on the Italian landscape to come. If anyone understands our mission, it's the old timers in the bike shop. They were us once. In their primes. Tackling any challenge. As quickly as they jokingly give us a hard time and say we're nuts, they jump into serious conversation and analysis about our gear, our route, our bikes.
Big shout-out to Zamar Sport bike shop in Castelfranco, Veneto. Luciano is an owner who still gets his hands dirty and lives tenaciously. A pillar of fortitude in the local cycling culture. Head mechanic, Michele, is very thorough and one of the most savvy mechanics I have seen. They love the fact that their work is contributing on such a grand adventure. You rock guys!
Of course, I wouldn't know Zamar without Ron Palazzo, my cycling mentor. Thank you Renato! Pedale forte!
I wouldn't be here, embarking on this life-changing journey, without you all. Friends, family, acquaintences, and total strangers. For it is the people of the world that drive me to go out and experience it firsthand. Grazie!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Garden Paradise
The beauty of a Liberal Arts university is that we are "required" to study a wide array of subjects. My latest unique class is called "Garden as Paradise", where we will study the importance and existence of gardens in human life since the beginning. Assignment #1 was fun.... what's your garden paradise like?
My Garden Paradise
In my mind, a garden is a sanctuary. The garden is a place where humans can escape the confines of civilized society without having to leave their personal property. We as creatures feel the urge to connect with Mother Nature because the environments we often live in are just that—confining. Gardens are places where people go to think, walk, play, work, and be alive in peace, away from the hustle bustle of society.
Think of a time when you had an important decision to make, needed to have a meaningful conversation with a loved one, or simply wanted to decompress after a long day. Where would you ideally do these things? In the musty, dark basement? In a crowded downtown pub? At the stuffy library? Of course not! I would argue that most people (weather permitting) would spend these special times in a garden if given the choice.
My ideal garden paradise would be topographically diverse, aesthetically entertaining, and spiritually calming. I would situate my garden on the top of a small mountain, surrounded by larger mountains on three sides. The fourth side would be an open view of the sea. This way, I could enjoy the snowy caps of the mountains in the backdrop and the crystal view of the water through the “picture window” of my garden.
Although I would be the king of my garden, I would not rule with an iron fist. Plants and animals would run the kingdom how they pleased. Tame deer would curiously approach and eat from your hand, and songbirds would cheerfully perch on your shoulder as you strolled the grounds.
Mountain streams would babble through the garden towards the ocean, but there would also be watersheds of cool, still water to swim in. Big weeping willows would hang out by the ponds, and grandfatherly oaks would have rope swings to make splashes in the placidness. Turtles and fish would surface from time to time to study the dry world above them before tucking back in to the blue depths.
Large pastures would remain dedicated to wild prairie grasses and alpine flowers where bees and bunnies could roam freely and munch tasty snacks. Evergreen trees would surround the fields to break the brisk mountain breezes and provide beauty against the white of snow in winter. Patches of birch, aspen, and maple trees would become a paint bucket of variety in the autumn to be admired from the hiking trails above.
Trails would lead up the slopes through the forest in all directions to scenic overlooks on elevated cliffs. A rocky labyrinth of paths would descend to the sandy beachfront below the garden, where many sunsets would be soaked up by viewers.
In the springtime, hanging water gardens would explode with exotic colors of the rainbow and encapsulate the centerpiece of the garden—an organic patio complete with lounging chairs, a wood-fired grill, and large tables.
This garden would be an ideal paradise to spend quality time alone or hosting friends and family. There would be no reason at all to leave. My perception of heaven closely matches my description of the ideal garden paradise.
-CM
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Go Ahead and VENT!
Great blog post on Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad site. I pulled the main points below. For the full read click the link. But to sum it up...Say what you feel and act on what you really believe in. No matter what. It may save your life ;)
On Fear---
“Fear’s like a giant fog. It sits on your brain and blocks everything…But you lift it and, buddy, you’re in for the ride of your life.”
That quote came from Albert Brooks’ Defending Your Life, a film with a simple premise: fear holds us back from becoming our better selves.
On Denial---
Yet it’s not just how denial holds us back but how it can hurt our health. Studies indicate that denying stress exists actually leads to poor health. For men in particular (who tend to bottle things up) this can be a deadly combination. It may be easy to fool other people, but who pays the cost? If we deny feeling pain or loss it can build up or even create new complications from established medical conditions.
Denial can also kill relationships. If you tell yourself something a partner is doing isn’t irritating you when it is, this can build up into resentment. How many times have we heard someone give a eulogy for a fallen friend and say, “And they never complained.” And this is a good thing? Though you don’t want to turn into Debbie Downer, to never admit when you’re bothered or share it with the offending party is not a positive quality. Resolution is a critical part of the human experience and to becoming closer to the people who mean the most in your life.
http://www.richdadeducationblog.com/2010/11/avoidance_and_denial.php
Love,
Christopher
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Right At Home
My time here in beautiful Iowa City is spent doing the things that I love. Lately, I have danced, sung, made music, laughed, drunk rejuvenating ice water, thought deeply, had amazing conversations, eaten delicious free food (thanks roomies!), sailed, biked, hugged, kissed, smiled, listened, and learned.
Maybe it is out of necessity, being a broke college kid and all, but all of my favorite things happen to cost nothing. Zip. Nada un dolare. $0. Us rambling souls that tend to "bum" as much as we can...are we drawn to these things simply because they take no money? In a way, yes. We have no other option. But I also think that being broke at 21 years old is the perfect time to see the real priorities in life--the things that deserve our good time and attention, and just so happen to cost nothing.
I am grateful. We live in a world where the best things truly are free. Free pleasures are there for just that--pleasure. The free things in life are the great equalizers between people. It doesn't matter whether you make millions or make wages. We all get front row seats to see the sun rise and set every day.
Got out on a solo bike ride today-- a perfect break in the middle of a work day. On a solo ride, especially, you can think. You can be you. As you lose sight of town, clarity comes washing into your brain, purging the week's worth of build-up. Your daily worries and tribulations begin to flake away in the brisk breeze, and you begin to breath naturally again. You remember how to live.
The world is our playground. It's out there waiting for us, because it wants to play too! The rivers and lakes wish to tickle you with cool cleanliness. The radiant sun simply enjoys smiling and giving a warm hug as you soak up its rays. The fallen leaves long for a good doggy-pile wrestling match now and again. The squirrels and chickadees urge you to sing along to their chitter chatter (and give them nuts). The keenly perched hawks admire your human strength as you enter their domain, and you equally envy their freedom of flight. The fatherly hills stand proudly as you gaze at the world from their shoulder-tops, and they chuckle heartily when you zoom down their bellies on two wheels and splash into the paint bucket of autumn colors below. The deer elusively play hide and seek with you through the roadside woods. The horses live to race down the fence line as you whistle encouragements at them. The weeping willows whisper lullabies, calling you to siesta beneath their shade-- you pedal on. The honking motorized vehicles test your emotions and tempt you to use the one-fingered wave, but you must stay in your world-- you pedal on. The hungry vultures wait in vain for you to take a fatal spill, but you defy them with a rebellious smirk--you pedal on. The strong North wind dares you to quit as you hunker down and...even harder-- you pedal on. Finally, the majestic bald eagle fishing for breakfast stirs your emotions, and you remember where you are...the land of the FREE.
You pedal on...back to town, back to work, back to life, back to your "home". Funny...you were just starting to feel at home out there. :)
Be You. God Bless. Pedal On.
-CM
Maybe it is out of necessity, being a broke college kid and all, but all of my favorite things happen to cost nothing. Zip. Nada un dolare. $0. Us rambling souls that tend to "bum" as much as we can...are we drawn to these things simply because they take no money? In a way, yes. We have no other option. But I also think that being broke at 21 years old is the perfect time to see the real priorities in life--the things that deserve our good time and attention, and just so happen to cost nothing.
I am grateful. We live in a world where the best things truly are free. Free pleasures are there for just that--pleasure. The free things in life are the great equalizers between people. It doesn't matter whether you make millions or make wages. We all get front row seats to see the sun rise and set every day.
Got out on a solo bike ride today-- a perfect break in the middle of a work day. On a solo ride, especially, you can think. You can be you. As you lose sight of town, clarity comes washing into your brain, purging the week's worth of build-up. Your daily worries and tribulations begin to flake away in the brisk breeze, and you begin to breath naturally again. You remember how to live.
The world is our playground. It's out there waiting for us, because it wants to play too! The rivers and lakes wish to tickle you with cool cleanliness. The radiant sun simply enjoys smiling and giving a warm hug as you soak up its rays. The fallen leaves long for a good doggy-pile wrestling match now and again. The squirrels and chickadees urge you to sing along to their chitter chatter (and give them nuts). The keenly perched hawks admire your human strength as you enter their domain, and you equally envy their freedom of flight. The fatherly hills stand proudly as you gaze at the world from their shoulder-tops, and they chuckle heartily when you zoom down their bellies on two wheels and splash into the paint bucket of autumn colors below. The deer elusively play hide and seek with you through the roadside woods. The horses live to race down the fence line as you whistle encouragements at them. The weeping willows whisper lullabies, calling you to siesta beneath their shade-- you pedal on. The honking motorized vehicles test your emotions and tempt you to use the one-fingered wave, but you must stay in your world-- you pedal on. The hungry vultures wait in vain for you to take a fatal spill, but you defy them with a rebellious smirk--you pedal on. The strong North wind dares you to quit as you hunker down and...even harder-- you pedal on. Finally, the majestic bald eagle fishing for breakfast stirs your emotions, and you remember where you are...the land of the FREE.
You pedal on...back to town, back to work, back to life, back to your "home". Funny...you were just starting to feel at home out there. :)
Be You. God Bless. Pedal On.
-CM
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