22 June 2009

Day 31


Dinner in Mormant, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

23.4 Kilometers.
I woke up around 10:30, still tired from last night. I took a shower and washed my clothes in the sink and set them out to dry. The alarm on my phone ("Party Hard" by Andrew W.K.) also woke up Luc (my host) and after some meandering about we headed to the center of town to buy some food at the Sunday market. I had big lunch with Luc, and set out running towards Mormant after one. I somehow managed to average mid six minute miles with a stomach containing: 1/4 rotisserie chicken, 1/2 baguette, a bunch of carrots and potatoes, a decent amount of chèvre (goat cheese) and several glasses of water. The run went by pretty quickly, except for the last 5k, during which I was very excited to get to the giant castle I could see on the road in front of me. After much anticipation, the castle ended up being a modern industrial plant...and I ended up being rather disappointed. When I arrived in town I bought three bottles of liquid (water, fruit juice, Orangina) and a snickers bar...and quickly made them all disappear.
I walked around Mormant for a bit, seeing what I could see, and as I stopped to sit along a sidewalk a little marching band dressed in white passed by, and I followed along to see where they were headed. I discovered a little stage, where a man was performing in some African/French free verse poetry that I couldn't understand, and had a quick nap on a bench. When I awoke people were starting to leave, so I quickly asked a woman (while there were still people to ask) if she knew where I might be able to find a computer. She said that there wasn't really anywhere in this town, but that I could probably find something in the next town over. I explained that I was travelling on foot, and after a bit more talking I ended up getting introduced to the mayoress of Mormant. She introduced me to Sylvain, who offered to let me use his computer. While checking my e-mail and writing my post for the day before I was introduced to his family and his wife Valerie invited me to stay for dinner and the night. I happened to arrive on a day when they were having a barbecue with the extended family, and spent the evening eating some awesome foot and discussing the differences between American and French culture with the kids. I joked "no, we are not generally fat and named Bob, with guns and that beer drinking hat" and in reverse none of them were named François with a black and white striped shirt, beret, neck tie and cigarette. Funny how those things go.
After dinner Valerie and the kids showed me around some nearby towns where I saw both a medieval and 17th century château. When we returned, I spent some time marvelling at the number of comments I have received in the past couple of days. I feel very fortunate to have the support of all of you, and I wish I had time to respond to all your comments. It is awesome for me to read them. Overall a great ending to my first month, and a great start to the first day of summer. Thank you all, and thanks to my Dad for all of the love and support he has given me. Happy Father's Day!

47 comments:

  1. Wow...I just stumbled on your blog today through blogger of note and I'm totally impressed. I'm training for a sprint triathlon and can't imagine running as far or as fast as you are doing. What gorgeous country you're going through! Looking forward to perusing your archives and reading about the rest of your adventure! Good luck from New Jersey!

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  2. I love the conversation with the kids. Leave it to them to point out the more humous points of American stereotypes.

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  3. Could I make friend with you? I'm a girl from Vietnam-a beautiful country. Drop by my blog: http://nhukhung.mooo.com. :) Wait for you answer. Nice day!

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  4. Wow. I honestly could not do what you do. xD Haha. Keep it up, I guess~!

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  5. Hey Ryan!

    I found your blog through bwog awhile ago and I have been following ever since. I love reading your stories and I'm insanely jealous of all you're getting to see! I studied abroad in France and I absolutely love it there. Wish I had some friends in the east who could help you out, but I was up North... although you seem to be doing very well on your own! Thanks for taking the time to keep us all updated!

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  6. '"no, we are not generally fat and named Bob, with guns and that beer drinking hat" and in reverse none of them were named François with a black and white striped shirt, beret, neck tie and cigarette. Funny how those things go.'

    it's true.. we always assume that people from a certain country are all one streotype and that that they all are similar more than they are different, however that's not usually the case.. i used to get questions -considering that i'm a saudi woman- if i completly covered my body in a black cape, rode on camel and slept in a tent! LOL that is SO not true, since i'm a dental student, living in two-story house traveling by car just like the majority of the world.. i have never seen a camel except in stamps!
    just goes to show how people's assumptions are usually incorrect..
    ~wishing u all the best ryan (sorry if i wrote too much!)

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  7. hey there! absolutely sweet blog. discovered it today on 'blogs of note'. i love the idea behind your journey, i love the fact that your actually doing it, and i love how your method of travelling is so non-touristy...locals actually would want to meet you. good luck with the rest of your trip. :D

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  8. I love how you have a picture in the beginning that keeps me guessing how you got to that point in your adventures for the day. Pretty awesome dawg

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  9. You have a wonderful blog! Hope you succeed in your mission :)

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  10. What you're doing sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing it with us and know you have support from Southern California!

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  11. Hi Ryan,
    Looks like an amazing achievement. Are you coming to Lisbon, Portugal, as well. I offer you free accommodation in the city centre of Lisbon if you make it. www.casamadragoa.com
    Cheers, Robin

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  12. i just read all thru your 31 days! awesome! the fact that you are following architecture made it interesting as well. best of luck! more power to you all the way from bombay, india.

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  13. OMG, I was drooling as u described what u ate!.. the baguettes, jam and butter I remember in France were to die for as well as the cheese..

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  14. Great blog! Love your adventure! Hope the heat summer doesn't slow you down.

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  15. Hi Ryan,
    What a great adventure! It reminds me, 30 years ago, in my teens. My friend Christina and I, took the train (15hrs on the train), travel 846km. From Montreal to New Brunswick, Canada. With our pack sac, tent and accessories. When we got there, hitch hike to get around, putting up the tent and cook or meal on an outside fire. Made some friends. My mother didn't want me to go, but I was stuburn and went anyways. I knew the area cause I'd been there before, but going with my friend, on ourself was an adventure. I also had a friend out there and her father came and pick us up at the train station, but after that, we were on our own. On our last day, we hade $10.00 left, we spent it. It was a long way back home, with no money, a little bit to eat and 15 hrs on the train. I was exausted when we arrived home. It's a trip I will never forget. Great momeries. I'm sure you could write a book on your adventure. I read your blog on a daily bases and if ever you decide to run Canada, if your in town, (lower Laurentians), I'll be glad to invite you for a good meal and stay overnight.

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  16. Awesome! Too cool! :)

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  17. This blog kicks ass! Defs following it! you go, man.

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  19. Found your blog through bloggers "blog of note." I JUST started training for a marathon and your blog is one heck of an inspiration. Makes a marathon seem lame...hahaha. Cheers and safe journeys from Pennsylvania

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  20. Wow, nice blog. I'm training for running/race walking, but I could never imagine ever running the distances you do. I've only read this entry in all honesty, but I'm going to aim to read the rest later :) I love reading other people's achievements, it's quite inspiring! x

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  21. Really worth looking at post. Thanks to google for making it Blogs of note http://www.ssdtanay.blogspot.com/

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  22. found you via blogs of note and spent the last 2 days reading all of your entries! will definitely follow you through to athens. what an awesome adventure you're having.
    greetings from portland OR!

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  23. You are phenomenal! If you decide to do this across the states, hit northern California up!
    Good luck to you!

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  24. You are just amazing! this is the craziest, most fantastic thing I've ever heard of. I'm totally jealous, and don't worry, I'm letting all my friends know about it. You've reminded me to keep a little spontanaeity and adventure in my life. Thanks. Get on with your bad self! P.S. I read the old blogs, and I totally dig the "I'm On a Boat" tribute. Haha.

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  25. Just happened across your blog (thanks to Blogger's Blogs of Note) and had to leave a comment. I think it's really exciting what you're doing and I wish you luck with the journey!

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  26. This is fantastic! Such a great experience! Are you traveling through Munchen or Siena at all? I know some fellow Washingtonians who may be interested in helping you with shelter in those cities...
    Good luck, and be well!

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  27. God! Your adventures are amazing!

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  28. Big congrats on being a blog of note.

    When I first spotted this blog I thought,

    "Is this guy crazy!?"

    But then I remembered the time I wanted to
    travel the Tran-Canada Highway via bicycle

    (SIGH)

    Now I'm like "ROCK ON DUDE!"

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  29. Hi Ryan!! I´m from Ecuador, South America. I just read your blog. Your adventure is awesome!! My sixteen's daughter dreams about an adventure like that, not me of course jajaja. Congratulations and having fun!!

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  30. Ya know what would be really cool? If there was a map on your site. But other than that this is definitely fascinating stuff. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be where you are. It seems like the adventure of a lifetime. You must be very fortunate. Well good luck and be safe.

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  31. Hi Son, now your Blog is starting to remind me of the Piped Piper of Hamblin! Gathering followers as you go.....Take good care of yourself, and my thanks to all the nice people who are giving you their support from all over the world!!

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  32. You have such a wonderful blog!
    and such a wonderful life :)
    please keep updating!

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  33. Amazing trip! I'm also a runner, and also like to socialize and drink, so you story about Paris was hilarious. Congrats on your running and your blog.

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  34. U guys look lovely, I'm frm M'sia nway

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  35. you family is a good family in your life. i like that

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  36. I was happy to find your blog last sunday.
    Hats off Ryan and good luck from Ulm, South Germany. I regard your route each day.

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  37. Johns,

    You mean to tell me that not all French people look like P-Mo on Halloween? Who woulda thought. Hope you're having fun brother.

    Ross

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  38. I found your blog to be quite the inspiration I needed to start my own backpacking trip through Europe, it's quite amazing!
    If you ever think of visiting Portugal keep it in mind that in Viseu, a little cosy town in the North, you've got a friend that can help you on your journey :)

    Safe trip and I'll keep following your adventures!

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  39. the people around the table are your family?

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