A tale of wheels and hills

I’m now writing from home, laid back on my comfy chair. I’ve had the time to settle back into my old life, get adjusted to the crowded streets as well as many different things that still make me shake my head, wondering how I ever got myself into this rat race that everybody seems to be a part of.

So I’ve decided to enjoy my slow pace to share with you still the views I got gifted with in Northern Bulgaria and Serbia.

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It’s funny that after meeting someone in Sofia telling me all about rock climbing I got to see one of the most popular spots of rock climbing in Bulgaria! The rocks seemed to be piled one on top of another and gave warm hues of red also reminded somewhat me of the coloured mountains in the Andes!
I shouldn’t have to say it by now, but the sight truly stunned me. I was nearing the end of my day and had settled in a dreamy state, listening to my favourite playlist (for the 98279874th time, at least) when I suddenly came to a stop, removed my earphones and stared at the imposing sight. That is what I love about cycling and this way of travelling: you really never know when something magnificent is going to pop out of the canopy of trees and take your breath away.

Something magical happened to me. You know, there is a moment where you’ve lived so long in the outdoor that you begin to fade away in the decorum. It was in the evening when I was setting up camp, battling my way between a few thorny bushes, my hair getting repeatedly hooked by branches and fallen leaves added a nice “wilderling” touch to my socially unacceptable self. Then amidst of the whole struggle I noticed a wild fox pass me by not four meters away. The magical moment left me in awe, suddenly feeling part of the nature, and seamlessly accepted by its occupants. I stopped, bewildered to see it pass so carelessly close and by the time the magic of the moment faded to the background and I thought of taking a shot, my wild friend had already vanished amongst a corn field.

It is not long after that encounter that my unfortunate event happened in Romania, propelling me to Budapest. There, I got to rest for a few days before finally coming to the decision of heading back home. It has been almost a year since I first left, I miss my friends and family. Yes, I still want to continue my trip, but I also want many other things and somehow the dream bubble surrounding the trip popped–for the moment at least. I do still intend on cycling across Asia and Australia at some point. But maybe in a different mindset? What stops me from doing that in the future? It will be a different trip.

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That was Budapest! The architecture was stunning and its baths are amazing. However, I had forgotten how tourist-packed a city can be. The crowd gathered there felt overwhelming after getting used to the countryside calm!

The lifetime of a trip of a lifetime

Now, I am back home and I think about the trip. What it meant for me to go out, to venture in such a way, how a trip like that feels. It reminds me of life.
When I was a toddler, I stumbled and fell and cried and did stupid things. I simply didn’t know how “to life“, whatever that means.
When I was 10, I couldn’t wait to be 11. I’d receive my letter of invitation to join Hogwarts, the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Harry Potter (still waiting). Then I still couldn’t wait to grow UP. Damn was it frustrating to be a child. I wanted to do things, to get these years under my belt, to accomplish things. “Yup, I am 15 years old now, I’m an oldy!”.
Then, you grow up, things happen and life still continues to surprise you. But the older you get, the more accustomed you also are. Then comes a moment where you realise that the trip is already well on its way, and you’re not so sure you want it to advance, “why couldn’t I do that forever?”

In my trip, I first set out without any physical preparation, had never done this before and I barely knew how to fix a flat tyre. I was basically as qualified as a toddler applying for the direction of a quantum physics research department.
In the first few days I had a massive break down. Turns out not eating enough and not sleeping enough while pushing your body’s strength to its limits is a dumb idea. I learned that very quickly, let me tell you. But still, I remember during the first week still telling me “I cannot believe I’m doing this!”. I desperately wanted to reach Salta, my first big Milestone. I felt like I needed this, I wanted to prove myself. All in all, I had not felt this candid and eager in years.

Then as the trip went on, I would get more and more accustomed to it, my body had adapted, I knew when I could push myself and when I couldn’t. Wonderful things still happened all the time and I was absorbing the the culture, the language and the experiences like a teenager craving for discovering the world.
As you know, the trip went on and I had so many dreams and project. And sometimes something unexpected happen and suddenly the momentum you gained just comes to a stop.

The comparison with life really struck me, and it certainly helps me to have a more laid back approach to life. Do I really need to overbook myself and participate in this rat race, or would I rather enjoy the time now?
I think I cannot recommend enough such an experience!

Now, I would like to thank all of you who followed the journey along. For all of those who showed some support a few weeks back, it really means the world to me and it warms my heart to know that maybe, the reading of my story will be the tipping point that launches them into such an extraordinary adventure.

With love,
Chloé & Mia