04 July 2009

Day 43


Photographer, day 43, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

47 Kilometers.
I set out around 10:30 towards Mulhouse, where I had found a place to stay through couchsurfing. On the way, I was called by Justin, an Australian photographer living in Zurich who was trying to find me to take a photo of me while running. Through some crazy chain of events, and some friends passing around the word, I guess my trip has been deemed worthy of an article in the NY Post (if you're in NY, get the paper this Sunday!)...which is pretty cool, but also pretty nuts. It was pretty weird for me having a photographer drive out to find me while running. I felt like a celebrity. Don't tell anyone, but I'm actually a normal kid who likes to run who went to Europe with a backpack and a blog so that his Mom could know that he wasn't dead every day (still alive Mama!). Cool to see that I can maybe inspire or entertain some other people though...and maybe find some more places to stay!
Anyways, after much calling back and forth between Justin and I (where I was always arriving in the next town by the time he got to the last one), he managed to track me down and I spent some time running around in circles for the camera. He would drive ahead a little ways and take another photo when I got to him. He kept asking me for less smiley photos...which was pretty difficult for me to do. I smile a lot in general, and the whole scenario was pretty funny. The run took quite a bit longer than it should of, and Justin headed back to Zurich when I had about 25 km to go. It was the closest I've gotten to having someone run along side me in 43 days.
It was an incredibly hot all day, but as soon as I got near Mulhouse it started pouring down with rain. Luckily I had finally broke and accepted the disposable poncho from Claire back in Belfort. I met up with my couchsurfing host Efi in the center of town, everything dry except my fingers and shoes.
I took a shower and blow-dried my shoes, and Efi and I headed out back into the middle of town to get some dinner. We went to a Thai restaurant, which was awesome for me. I haven't eaten spicy food since I left NY, and the restaurant was nice enough to give me an extra little bowl of fresh Thai chillies. It wasn't long before my craving for heat was satisfied and I had the hiccups. After dinner, we watched a little concert in the middle of town. There is a big car convention going on in Mulhouse this weekend, so there was a french guy singing 1950's American rock and roll. It was a pretty awesome last night in France.

16 comments:

  1. That is awesome! Is that article gonna be online, too?

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  2. I hope you're mom will keep the article in the NY Post. That way you can show to your children someday! Wow, what a great adventure.
    Keep on smiling, you have a beautiful smile.

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  3. btw, i think the NY times is available online... I will look for it..of course u are a celebrity.. its awesome what u are doing... u are living out the daydream that I know I would love to do but don't have the guts to do...

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  4. Ryan,you have a great story to tell for your child in the next times.ıt's wonderful something I'm following every day.
    Best Wishes

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  5. I think your journey could be made into a book or even a movie! I'm not surprised it's in the NY paper at all. Glad you've had some good places to stay the last couple of nights - the campground freezing cold sounds like the pits!

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  6. Without your post I would be stressing every day! Makes me realise how the internet helps so many, when, in the old days, parents would worry without release, sometimes for months & years, about their children who went off in the world. I am more grateful than you will ever know, that you keep in touch. I share your adventure, feel your joy and get strength from your search for "the magic" in our world. You have actually found it...it makes me proud and glad that so many of your "followers" can also see the magic in your day to day adventures....

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  7. Wow!! We knew you're special and right now you are a Celebrity. Hope whole world will know how special and strong young man you are. Keep smiling and we'll be thinking of you on this 4th of July. Love Phula and family.

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  8. I'll be looking for your article!

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  9. It sounds like you are having an amazing time! I lived in Thailand for awhile, so I know you are loving the food!

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  10. great! I'll grab a copy of the Post tomorrow or catch the article online! Look at this ... I'm bloggin a celebrity! Wo Wo!

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  11. Wow, this is really good! I'm now planning a short one (possibly a bike ride though) through France or somewhere summer 2010 :)

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  12. Ooh, being in the NY times is super cool! And I love Thai food so much. Now I am craving some. Happy 4th to you from the states.

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  13. Hello from Canada!

    I stumbled upon your blog and I am hooked! Working a night shift is pretty borning, so every night I look forward to reading on your adventures.

    I would like to say Thank you for inspiring me to become more active in my life. I am over-weight and recently had to start taking the bus, so this means a 15 min walk from the bus stop to my house. Not much for most people, but for me, a much bigger deal. However, when I get off the bus I think of you running across Europe and know that there is no reason why I can't walk 15 mins!

    Good luck in your travels, and can't wait to read more.

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  14. hey ryan..
    47 kilometers!!!
    That's a lot of mileage =)
    the way I see it .. you deserve all the publicity you're getting.. cuz what you're doing is not an easy task.. I can barely run my 10 minute jog in the morning without gasping for air =P
    ~ wishing you all the best from Saudi Arabia

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