30 June 2009

Day 39


Too much food day 39, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

44.5 Kilometers.
I woke up around 8, rolled up my emergency blanket, grabbed my still wet clothes and left my 5 star room in search of something to eat. I found an open boulangerie, and bought a pain aux raisins. I also bought a huge almond meringue as well. I have always thought that meringues are disgusting, but once while complaining about how gross they were, a friend said "oh, you haven't tried real French meringues...they are completely different than they are in the States." They were wrong. Meringues are disgusting in France too. After forcing a fourth of this enormous dry and powdery thing down, I felt like I was going to puke and threw the rest away. The problem with meringues is that they look so soft and moist. I always expect to bite into a creamy cloud but end up with a bunch of hard chalk in my mouth. Always the same. Ahh, meringue, you fooled me again!
I had to walk for the first 9 km, waiting or my clothes dry draped all over my body and for the meringue sensation to fade from my mouth. Once my things were dry enough, I put them in my bag and started running. I stopped after 10 km in Bourbonne les Bains to see if I could find a computer and something to drink and eat. It seemed decently sized, and the town I was running to had the potential of being incredibly small. I stopped in a Kebab place to grab a quick bite to eat (kebab places have taken over France like Starbuck's in the States). The menu had a cheap sandwich deal, but somewhere in the dialogue of ordering I got messed up and ended up with a much more expensive and larger version of the same thing on a plate. It was a lot of food to eat considering that I still had 25 km to run, but considering my budget and the fact that I had already paid for it, I ate it all. During my meal, I ended up striking conversation with George, the 20 year old from Palistine who was running the shop. George let me use his computer, and I spent a couple hours there talking to him, rehydrating, and letting my food digest. Eventually I set out again, and after walking for a couple kilometers to settle the kebab and kebab-gas in my stomach, I started running towards Corre.
As always, the last 8 km of the run were pretty difficult under the heat. Back at school, on long Sunday runs, I would always hit that threshold where I wanted to be done, and the idea that I had a big bottle of Endurox and a John Jay brunch waiting for me would keep me going. Here when I hit that threshold, I have no Endurox, no place to sleep, and I am running towards a town with potentially nothing.
Fortunately for me, I saw a sign which indicated that there was an Ecomarché in Corre, so it was a little bit easier knowing that I was running towards a grocery store where I could get some chocolate milk. None of the milk here is refrigerated though (it is pasteurized and sealed, and can sit for months on a shelf), so I only have warm chocolate milk to dream about. Better than nothing though.
Once I arrived in town, I drank my liquids and spent some time talking to a young couple who have been touring France for a couple years with a donkey. I think we each thought that the other was crazy. I got to pet a donkey though.
It started to get late, and after some more ramblings, I found myself at a marina along a canal which runs along the side of the town. It was after 10 pm. I took a shower in the marina shower, and wandered around the facilities. There was a little office with some bathrooms and washing areas for the boaters who stayed there, and inside I found a little cot. I went around until I found the "captain" of the facilities playing pétanque, and asked if I might be able to rest there for a few hours. After telling my story and sitting around for a while watching the game, I had a little bed set up and a safe (and clean) place to sleep.
Another long day. Another lucky night.

30 comments:

  1. That was great luck to find a cot to sleep on! :)

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  2. Hey son, you have been going at it for 40 days! In your last two posts you appear "weary"..how are you feeling about the trip these days? You are doing so much every day...is there a town up ahead that you will stop for some R&R, as you did in Paris? Let us know your thoughts today.....Loving you and sending big hugs. Carina said to tell you hi! she loved the "snails crossing the street" (are they they same as the ones they eat?

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  3. Meringues all taste the same regardless of where u are... yuck is what i say. they look pretty but not..lol... and yes u did score a bed and shower. good...go easy on the food...

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  4. that looks really good it sounds like u ate too much

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  5. I just found your blog and it's truly amazing! Keep up the pace!

    As I read through the whole thing, I was surprised to read that I was -- on my own year-long escapade ('karkumatka' in Finnish) -- at the exact same time in Paris, planning to spend that Thursday evening on Pont des Arts drinking, but that didn't happen in the end. (Ended up on Tour Eiffel trying to say no to an offer of getting up there at 3am...)

    You have also gotten my interest in running to come back, which is great, thanks for the inspiration!

    All the best, now virtually travelling with you,
    karkumatka

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  6. Hola pues te deseo mucha suerte en tu viaje desde la isla caribeña de Cuba, that you have strong to finish your trip, and have good luck.

    Saludos.
    Delphos
    http://delphosfriki.blogspot.com

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  7. That is so funny about the couple with the donkey...never heard of anyone doing that before.

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  8. Good luck. At least the french food is typically delish. Have you tried curry or garlic fries yet?

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  9. meringues = blech
    meringue topping on a pie = the yum!

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  10. If I were you...I would also have eaten the whole plate of food. Who knows when you would get into the next town? But, let's be clear, if I ate that much and then tried to run, I would definately NOT be making it to the next town.

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  11. Your posts are entertaining and informative...the plate of food looks enormous. The one thing that always strikes me is how you are "living" this journey- getting to know people and taking time to respect the various cultures. Well done.

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  12. I am SO hungry right now hahaha.

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  13. I just recently found your blog and am completely fascinated with your adventure. Your encounters and dilemnas are so fun to read! Well done and keep that big smile on your face! :)

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  14. hi- a friend of mine who just graduated from columbia, emily greenlee, led me to your blog and i have to say once i started reading it today i could not stop! congratulations on how far you have made it thus far and i cant wait to read more about it! i forwarded your blog website to everyone i know. good luck!!
    Amanda

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  15. Well! About the couple with donkey traveling through Paris and eating Kebab reminds me of Egypt. Take care and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love Phula

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  16. Surfing on the boring internet and accidentally saw your blog. I wish I could do that too! You sound so free~

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  17. A donkey?!! Wtf, they thought u were weird?

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  18. I came across your blog and am astounded by your travels. What you're doing is awesome and I applaud you. I was recently in Europe (Germany, Austria and London) and it truly is beautiful there. I wish you safe travels and to soak every experience in! Truly amazing!

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  19. Very inspiring! Your an awesome writer. Have a great trip and keep sharing your experiences. If I was living anywhere near your route you'd be welcome to crash at my place. Greetings from Cologne, Germany

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  20. You end your day 39 with food,
    that is nice,

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  21. Hi from India. Dude, you are the man! I am inspired to run seeing you run.

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  22. Ah ... you poor boy. You have just never tasted my friend, Jane's meringues. Crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside, they are absolute bliss!

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  23. Hi Ry Ry, on vacation in Washington and Alaska. Thought about trying your method of accomodations but afraid strangers would think I was a hooker! It seems to work for you though...good on you. A couple days riding a donkey would make you forget about your shin splints :)

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  24. Run Ryan, RUN! This is amazing! Keep on going!

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  25. You have quite the following now. I've shown everyone with a computer your page and they are shocked and left speechless. I've never doubted you and have no reason to begin now. Keep on going. Can't wait to meet up after you are done with your journey.

    Kevin Barnes

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  26. look good make me feel hungry, huehue

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  27. it looks delicious!... se ve muy bueno!

    great blog!

    from Chile

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