10 July 2009

Day 49


Miriam, Simon and I, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

30.7 Kilometers.
I woke up late at Jeremy's place in Schaffhausen, he had gone to work and left me the key to put in the mailbox when I left, and I got a solid 10 hours of sleep, a make up for the night before. I went about town for a bit and ran some errands which included buying a new Swiss SIM card. The currency here is pretty close to the dollar, so it is strange thinking on those terms again without too much math. Everything is incredibly expensive here though...
I started heading towards Winterthur, starting with a sore walk for a couple kilometers which gradually evolved into a comfortable run. The way was pretty straightforward, but I got mixed up when the small highway I was running along evolved into something bigger...but somehow I stumbled upon a "wanderweg" (footpath) with a sign pointing to Winterthur. From then on, it was smooth sailing on mostly gravel trails. It has been raining off and on here for several days, but it seems that as soon as I take out my jacket it always stops...and then when I put it away it starts again. I have learned to stop bothering with the jacket/drawback/cell phone Ziplock for now.
I got into Winterthur and wandered towards the house of Miriam and Simon...people who had sent me an e-mail after finding my blog, suggesting that Winterthur would be a better stop than what I had planned. I am pretty flexible with minor changes to my route now that I am actually doing it. You can get a better sense of a place by the people who live there than by looking down at a map. I had no idea what I would be heading towards, having only seen a few words and a name in an e-mail, I just had to fall back on trust and some good precedence.
As I got close to the house, someone said my name ("Hey, nobody knows who I am here!"). I turned to find Simon, the young man behind the name in the e-mail. We went back to the apartment, where I took a shower and met Miriam who put my ash and sweat covered cloths in the wash. I lucked out with this blind meeting...they are a great couple with a cool apartment and a taste of music and style that is similar to my own back at school. Simon lent me a pair of shorts and a sweatshirt, and after dinner we went hand had a drink at a local bar/club. It was pretty strange wearing normal clothes...but a good feeling. When we got back Simon and Miriam made up my bed and said goodnight, and I spent a long time on the computer writing my story from the day before (I normally write on borrowed computers or in Internet cafes...not on my cell phone keypad). I was well tired when I turned off the light and closed my eyes for the night.

18 comments:

  1. Dude, Lamar, don't blog spam.

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  2. Like seriously, how awesome is it what you're doing??? Can somebody please fly me to Europe? I'll come run the countryside. lol. I love this blog.

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  3. it's awesome that you're making friends while you're on the run =P

    ~wishing you all the best from saudi arabia

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  4. They look like a very nice couple. Simon, I think they are great people. My son's name is Simon and he is easy going and has a beautiful smile. Ryan, you have a beautiful smile too!

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  5. I think its great that people are opening their hearts and homes to you... Glad u got a lot of sleep... Its great to know there are still some very trusting people out there!..

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  6. Your journey seems to be continuously adventurous and amazing. If you happened to run in South East Asia next time, let me know. I will be able to help you out alot~^^

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  7. Ryan,Glad you got a bed to sleep this night,after a awful night in black forest. May be you can take a short R&R there and give some time for your tired legs to heal. Love you and we miss you very much. Phula and family

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  8. Hi son, I should be sleeping, but figured I would check in on you! Do they have Cliff bars over there, or something similiar. Do you eat often (like 6 x a day)? I worry about you being too skinny and your body will start to use muscle up....OK, so I will stop nagging...but could you eat more? Love you and your blog!

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  9. hey ryan
    hope you had a good run to zurich. it was a pleasure to meet you! we wish you all the best!

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  10. Reply to Ryan's Mama... I so agree w/you.. But I bet he has a high metabolism... I'm the same way... also the altitude probably sheds whatever he puts on... I bet he eats like a horse..

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  11. hey, if you ever want to come to New York and run Central Park you could crash at my place for sure!

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  12. Finding hospitable strangers in places you never know is amazing...

    So, that explain how you were able to update this blog while running :)

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  13. Haha, thanks for your concern. I most certainly do eat an enormous amount. I actually weigh pretty much exactly the same as when I left...
    I'm in Zurich now taking some time off...not dead.

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  14. I'm headin to Germany for a business trip in, oh, three days! Will you still be there?!

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  15. Hi Ryan!! I can't believe you are doing this. What an amazing trip. Greetings from New York, I'm cheering you on from here!
    -Downing

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  16. Hi Ry,

    Back from Alaska but paid for lodging when needed! I did follow your lead and strike up conversations with random strangers and had the most interesting trip. Thanks for reminding me of the wonders of travel.

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  17. great friends, good food, nice place to sleep, who could ask for anything more?

    This was a good day for you!

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  18. Ryan from all the posts I have seen u look the picture of health.. It shows in your face... Moms will be moms... I think I would be doing the same if my son was running around Europe

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