June 7
One month ago today, I got off the train in Lorient, Brittany, France, pedaled down the street and walked into a small cafe. I was given a ferry ticket by a guy that said his name was Jacky and instructions on how to get to the ferry depot. That's how this journey began. I don't know how many miles or kilometers itís been since then, but it's certainly been a wonderful adventure. I was hoping for a great day of warm weather today to help me celebrate. No such luck, though. I rode most of the day in my arm and leg warmers and long fingered gloves, with no idea where the sun was behind the thick cloud cover. At about 6:30pm the sun finally decided to come out from behind the clouds. I stopped at a grocery store to buy some pasta, but it was closed.
Next door was a restaurant, so I walked over to see what they had for dinner. I found a group of people sitting outside and asked if any of them could translate the menu for me. Turns out there was a British couple in the group and Sam, having lived in the area for the last 5 years, recommended a dish and helped me order. I was invited to sit with the group and we visited and laughed while I enjoyed my meal. A bit later, the restaurant owner brought out a huge batch of boiled crayfish for the group and insisted that I partake. THIS was the kind of celebration I was looking for, and I just happened upon it! They schooled me on local Swedish history, the significance of the region, and I even got to hear some Swedish singing! We visited for quite a while and as it was getting dark, I said my goodbyes and pedaled away to find a place to camp for the night.
I rode through seemingly endless farm fields until it was dark. As I pedaled through a residential area in Haverdal, I found two people cleaning up outside their house and asked if I could pitch my tent in their yard. It was a mother and son (Karin and Kristofer) that received me so well. Kristofer shared a bit about a trip he'd taken to the States back in 2007 with two friends, having visited California and Nevada. I pitched my tent out by the clothes line, thankful that I had a soft, flat place to sleep, my belly full of calzone and more than a few delicious crawfish. It turned out to be an even better anniversary day than I'd hoped for.
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| Now I'm following the Ginstleden Cykelspåret |
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| Caviar in a toothpaste tube! |
Next door was a restaurant, so I walked over to see what they had for dinner. I found a group of people sitting outside and asked if any of them could translate the menu for me. Turns out there was a British couple in the group and Sam, having lived in the area for the last 5 years, recommended a dish and helped me order. I was invited to sit with the group and we visited and laughed while I enjoyed my meal. A bit later, the restaurant owner brought out a huge batch of boiled crayfish for the group and insisted that I partake. THIS was the kind of celebration I was looking for, and I just happened upon it! They schooled me on local Swedish history, the significance of the region, and I even got to hear some Swedish singing! We visited for quite a while and as it was getting dark, I said my goodbyes and pedaled away to find a place to camp for the night. 
I rode through seemingly endless farm fields until it was dark. As I pedaled through a residential area in Haverdal, I found two people cleaning up outside their house and asked if I could pitch my tent in their yard. It was a mother and son (Karin and Kristofer) that received me so well. Kristofer shared a bit about a trip he'd taken to the States back in 2007 with two friends, having visited California and Nevada. I pitched my tent out by the clothes line, thankful that I had a soft, flat place to sleep, my belly full of calzone and more than a few delicious crawfish. It turned out to be an even better anniversary day than I'd hoped for.
I cannot get over caviar in a tube with a cartoon character on the label. Enjoy Sweden's hospitality. Let us know what else you're eating. Love you lots.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing a fantastic trip! Of course, the adventure continues.
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