Today we got to spend a little time with our extremely gracious Belorussian hosts in Slubice. Maybe too much time, but that's ok, I guess cyclists, like wizards, depart and arrive exactly when they intend to. There is nothing really to do in Slubice (sorry, Slubice natives!) but our host showed us the fountain, the post office, and the grocery store. She also made us a traditional Belorussian breakfast, which, if you are from the United States, would call dinner (cooked squash with peppers and onions followed by cheesecake). The reason, according to them was, "You guys need to eat carbohydrates!"
We then biked 86 kilometers. Look!
Our host here in Zielona Gora is 67 and lives with his wife. He is probably the most incredible adventurist that I have met to date. We walk in the door after the trip after a ride in the building's special extendable elevator - just for bikes the back doors open extra wide - into a fantastic dining room with a vegetable casserole, bread, cheese, vegetables spread out on a large table. I almost fell down. He then proceeds to tell us about a trip he took from Zielona Gora to Morroco (and back, 15000km) where he just camped in forests and rode all day every day. We assumed this may have been some time in his youth, until he said that it was an 8 month trip and he returned only 2 years ago. But most recently he biked from here to Auvergne, France. He also shows no signs of slowing down, since he is planning trips already two years in advance: one into Siberia, and the other to circumnavigate the Black Sea. Furthermore, he showed us a 5-meter canoe that he built himself and with which he regularly treks around various Polish rivers.
This only further solidifies my firm belief that Couchsurfing has really opened my eyes to the extreme diversity of people that are out there in the world. It is difficult to compare yourself and your individual experiences to other people. But I think it is great to get inspired, and see where other possibilities and people are out there.
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Graham and I at the border between Germany and Poland. First one!
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| Made it to Zielona Gora, and it's not even dark out yet! |
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| Delicious Polish dinner awaited us upon arrival. |
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