Woefully Esoteric

We all feel as though what we do with our lives is as important as can be, that every major choice carries with it such profound implications. While this is true to us in our worlds, rarely do the ramifications reach further than our friends on Facebook. More likely than not, if we weren’t sharing on FB, they woudn’t even know either.

It becomes more obvious to me every day how little my actions affect anyone but myself. And yet the lives we work so hard to build can be stripped away without as much as our input.

All this is wordy way of saying that I realize the narrow field of interest this blog has and that is why I chose to call it woefullyesoteric. It is unfortuately the product of an amazing trip that is only being experienced by me. So much of my desire to make it happen stems from guilt that I have the resources (at least for now…) and the freedom to see and experience so much more than my own little world. Of the billions, again, billions of people in this world who wake up to face poverty, war, or uncertainty every day, I agonize over where I should eat lunch. I have been lucky enough to have immense opportunies and the freedom to exercise them. So here I am.

I woke up with a start this morning, for a moment not understanding where I was.  How lucky to have that realization be that I was in Paris.

Yesterday, my one day in Paris was relatively uneventful, though a powerful reminder that the activities that go on in my own city are replicated in cities all around the world every day.  Tourists confused by the trains, locals selling these tourists anything and everything, fine restaurants preparing all day for wealthy clientelle that care more to be seen than the efforts that went into their meal, and of course the average person going to work and living yet another day in their box.

I don’t mean to sound as though I don’t have my own box, just that it is quite refreshing to be outside of it for a change.  With minimal schedule or pressing time, the luxury to simply observe is mine.

After shaking off the cobwebs of sleep induced by the exaustion of travel and the beer consumed with my host on the banks of the canal, I tried to understand the daunting goal of the day; 123km to Epernay on my bike.  I would like very much to say that it went well and that all my preparation armed me to fend off any potential troubles.  I cannot say this.  Initially in high spirits, I quickly realized how limited my directions and maps were the second I did not have a wireless network.  Bouncing from McDonald’s to McDonald’s, I used them for their wi-fi while munching on the best croissants I have ever tasted, aquired from a patisserie in Paris.  Not only did I have endless mechanical issues, but the route I had planned took me along the A4, a national highway with no shoulder and speed limits reaching 110km/hr.  This was probably among the most dangerous few hours of my life.

Reaching Chateau-Thierry by 7, I realized my only hope to get to my host in Epernay before the morning was to take a train.  The defeat with this realization was immense, however prudent.  It did allow me to reach my host in time for an incredible and perfectly simple dinner of radishes, melon, tomato, pate, pasta, and bread, all accompanied by fleur de sel.  Cheese and fruit tart followed to demonstrate my first literal taste of the generosity of the French.  The cherry of a shower capped one of the most challenging days I can imagine with a hope for better things to come.

Today is my first real day spent onthe saddle. It’s 123 km to Epernay and I’m hoping everything holds. I wasn’t able to do much in the way of mechanics due to the distractions and chaos of Paris, so I’m hoping the country brings a bit of calm and a place to work out some details. Until then..

Last night I left San Francisco to begin my journey.  I’ve left my job, home, and those closest to me to seek something I’m not sure I even understand at times.  The wanderlust that consumes me is difficult to explain and even harder to justify, but choices have been made and there’s no turning back now.

My trip began with the excitement of sweet talking the woman working baggage to allow my 51.5lb crudely taped bike box assembled curbside to pass through without additional weight charges.  Her necklace was given to her by her boyfriend for Valentines day.  She named it Tiffany.

Once onboard, I realized that I was sitting in a row with not one 14 week old baby, but twins.  I was overwhelmed with a positive view on mankind’s potential when the mother handed me this:

Not only were the children fantastic flyers, but I wouldn’t have cared a bit either way while munching on candy.  I should also add that I submitted this photo on Reddit.com and it currently has more points that Barack Obama’s AMA (he came to the site last Wednesday).  For those who are as addicted to Reddit as myself, this is quite a big deal.  But I digress…

I’m doing my best to continue to make lists and cross things off of it in an attempt to be somewhat prepared for this trip of mine.  I purchased some layers and a nice waterproof shell today and I’ve spent my evening on Couchsurfing and retreating outside to add another coat of silicone to minimize my susceptibility to the elements.

In preparation for hundreds of miles of rain soaked cycling, I will be working with my dad doing landscaping for the next four days, all four of which are supposed to contain thunderstorms.

I’m relishing the last few days of easy communication and American football, but can’t wait to be on the road.

In just two short weeks, I will be departing for the most exciting, terrifying, and hopefully enlightening experience of my life.  A friend recently described me as a racehorse who’s starting gate has yet to open.  This trip is intended to finally release me back to the unknown that I adore so much.

Beginning in Paris, France, I will cycle to Istanbul, Turkey via Italy and Greece over the course of a few months.  While abroad, I plan to visit and learn in wineries ranging from Champagne to Tuscany, travel with a friend in Italy, and visit members of my French family I’ve never had the opportunity to meet.  I intend to keep the itinerary as open as possible in order to adapt and react to my ever changing environment.

As I grow older, I realize more and more how quickly time passes.  I’ve always been fascinated with people, cultures, and locations different than what is familiar.  While my teens and early 20′s saw a wide variety of travel, but life has certainly gotten in the way and kept me from continuing and escalating these adventures.  I certainly don’t regret the experiences I’ve had over the past few years, but I’m desperate for a change in scenery.

This blog is an attempt to share my experiences with the family and friends who have always been so supportive regardless of my endeavors.  I haven’t always followed the path others expected me to take, but I assure you I have not changed directions on a whim.

We all choose to fill our lives with people, work, activities, or any number of other things we value.  I value the freedom to be unsure of where my life will take me next.  My curiosity seems to know no bounds, but my ability to follow the trail has been stymied by work, bills, and life in general.  Where these instincts take me, I know not, but am confident that I will find some happiness in the search.

I hope any and all that read this will communicate with me via email (gigantomachy@gmail.com) or the comment section below.  I’ll certainly appreciate the love from across the pond.

A special thanks to Matt and Devan Paddock, Kelsey, my parents, and everyone else that has supported this crazy idea up to this point.