Summer Of Yes

7月 - 12月 2023

This all started as "maybe I'll ride a bike for a few days"... and the magic of "Yes"
My (1st) Round The World adventure. もっと詳しく

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カテゴリ

文化、自己発見、観光、と一人旅

38.5千マイル旅行

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飛行21.6千キロ
航海724キロ
バス444キロ
車284キロ
屋形船173キロ
モーターボート140キロ
渡船140キロ
列車98キロ
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最新のものから

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旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日10
- 2023年7月20日木曜日 20:00
- ☁️ 72 °F
- 海抜: 89 フィート
- フランス Hendaye Railway Station 43.353333, -1.78166743°21’12” N 1°46’54” W
Et Voila
2023年7月20日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
I am in France, on the correct local train, on my way to where I want to be.

I have been in the country for about five minutes and the three people with whom I have spoken have failed utterly to conform to the stereotype that the French are intolerant of Americans.

Well, except for the ticket machine. It was downright ornery. It allowed me to select English and proceeded to give every prompt in French. Merde!

Amusingly, my phone coverage has yet to catch up with the international evolution of my journey.... Which makes it <très impossible> to pay with my phone.... And my credit card was deep in my pack. More excitement! Fortunately for me, I have more than 50 days practice with unpacking/packing : <aucun problème>

The train is rolling now... I had 7 minutes to spare and will go ahead and add a mental ✅ to the win column.

I really like that my international border crossing consisted of leaving a Spanish metro station in Hendaia, walking 50 meters, entering a French train station in Hendaye. Delightful. The two pics are taken in the same place, incidentally.もっと詳しく
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旅行者After 3 trains, 1 metro, and 1 bus (along with a few miles of walking) I think I may need to set some boundaries on when flying is a better choice.... Doing good is good. I'm committed. I value my sanity. Balance will be found.
2023/07/20返信する翻訳する
旅行者I think you might be right…
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者Remind me of this as I plan next legs. Train thru Bulgaria? *Seems* fun, right now.
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者Totalllllly!
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
1いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日10
- 2023年7月20日木曜日 21:19
- ⛅ 70 °F
- 海抜: 98 フィート
- フランス Port des Pêcheurs 43.481667, -1.56543°28’54” N 1°33’54” W
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2
Love my AirBNb
2023年7月20日, フランス ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
Renting a room is always a gamble.

I hit the jackpot.

Love it!
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旅行者 Does the dog come with the room?
2023/07/20返信する翻訳する
旅行者It's his house, I'm just a guest. :)
2023/07/20返信する翻訳する
旅行者 That’s so cool looking!
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者Like a movie set
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
4いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日11
- 2023年7月21日金曜日 20:05
- ☀️ 70 °F
- 海抜: 82 フィート
- フランス Pointe de Biarritz 43.483333, -1.56666743°28’60” N 1°34’0” W
1 2 3
Ah, Biarritz
2023年7月21日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Someone once told me that his favorite place in Europe is Biarritz so I was predisposed to like this seaside town with several beaches, surf, great food, diving, great food, narrow streets, great food, basque charm, great food and beautiful people on parade. Oh, the weather was pefectly delightful as well.

While I was only there two brief nights I had the best chocolate sorbet I have tried (and I try them all. Pamplona was a close 2nd, fwiw), fresh delicious seafood, a delightful morning yoga session/swim, a beautiful sunny afternoon swim and stroll watching wavelets and happy people on the beach, and an evening swim workout.... All on separate beaches within a short stroll from the best AirBnb experience I've had.

I reviewed an incredible seafood market, fell in love a thousand times (ok, maybe lust?), vicariously geared up for scuba, window shopped boutiques, appreciated art, savored a cold beverage or two, and watched some Brazilian fellow jump over a flag. Incredibly patient people tolerated my butchery of their language; among the most notable were A) my airbnb's dog who cared not one lick for how I mispronounced commands: he accepted scritches in 3 languages; and B) the very happily drunk young man at the bus stop at 7:30 AM who was delighted to muddle through a combination of French, Spanish, English to learn a little about where I am from, where I am going, and to heartily recommend that I visit Ustaritz. He is from there and I suspect he is biased... But certainly enthusiastic.

It helped a great deal that good friends who I have known for nearly 20 years in Costa Rica live part-time in Biarritz and kept me company for the day. Many thanks to you, Jean Marc and Rhonda. I look forward to the next time that our paths cross.もっと詳しく
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旅行者 It looks like it’s made of sand
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者 This was way cooler than I expected while reading the update. Haha.
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者Gotta keep y'all engaged
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
3以上のコメント
3いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日12
- 2023年7月22日土曜日 8:15
- ☀️ 61 °F
- 海抜: 75 フィート
- フランス Nive 43.496667, -1.4743°29’48” N 1°28’12” W
Return To Go, Where's my $200?
2023年7月22日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Fate and Flixbus bring me here today.... Gare de Bayonne.

Right back where I was my first day in France, and my first day on The Camino. (https://findpenguins.com/1ooyf9lg96j6p/footprin… )

It feels.... Poignant. I'm surprised at how familiar it is after nearly two months of seeing and being in new places. I've slept in close to 50 beds (lost count), visited at least 100 cafes (lost count) sought innumerable yellow arrows (never even tried to count), smiled 10,000+ times, and seen more people, places, and things than one could shake a stick at (I had 2 sticks, *that* I can count).

I've been to three countries, uncountable towns and villages, and taken over a million steps (literally). I've lightened my load and added new things to it. I've (surprisingly) lost nothing, and gained.... Everything.

I suppose that the emotion is there regardless of the glimmer that triggers it... Today I found myself disembarking from a snazzy electric bus from Biarritz to see the Gare (train station) and .... The tears just sorta squoze out a little. Happy tears. Tears of recognition that.... ¡Carajo! I really did something special and I am not the same guy who walked into that station in late May. Perhaps the same guy, just a very different version.

I don't know that I'm any smarter nor wiser, but I am certainly healthier, more open-hearted, calmer, and less .... Depressed.

I hate to use that word as I feel like there are many other people who are suffering more acutely than I can even imagine. In light of my own emotional struggles with the loss of my brother (among some other things): if you are struggling, please seek help. Even if you don't "need" it. Talk to someone, a professional. There are resources out there. I was prone to tell people that "I have coping mechanisms, I'll be fine" which was utter bullshit. From the bottom of my hole I could barely keep my nose above water and deeply regret the time I wasted there. It took hitting my own version of bottom to convince me to make changes and the journey back to me has been so beautiful that I wish a similar path unto anyone currently in the dark. You can do it.

And on that happier note, I'm enjoying a (believe it or not) pain au chocolat and a tasty (enormous!) cup of coffee as I get a dose of ocular sunshine ( https://youtu.be/yBjUR16AiBM ) prior to starting my bus journey across the south of France.

It's a beautiful day. I am happy, healthy, and excited about... Adventure.

...much better than the $200 that monopoly promised.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Full circle!
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
Good for you Steve. It takes a lot of courage to face your own reality but once you do it you let the new journey towards the light start and you let new things to happen. Trust the process and enjoy the ride bro. ❤️ [Eva Cendon]
2023/07/24返信する翻訳する
旅行者Gracias, Eviña. Un abrazo fuerte.
2023/07/24返信する翻訳する
1いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日12
- 2023年7月22日土曜日 14:32
- ☀️ 81 °F
- 海抜: 472 フィート
- フランス Musée des Augustins 43.601667, 1.44666743°36’6” N 1°26’48” E
2
Toulouse, brièvement
2023年7月22日, フランス ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
A reminder to myself to speak up.
(If you know me, this statement probably surprises you)

I am now guilty of speaking timidly because I am not confident in my French. As a result, my waiter could not *hear* me.... I can't otherwise explain how "un vin blanc" was converted to "un bière blond". But I received the latter (which is not a problem but is not what I wanted).

This phenomenon is something I have often experienced with non-native speakers of both English and Spanish in various places. Having now been on the giving side, I get it. It's hard to project when you feel.... Inept.

Which leads me to think about one of the very good things related to travel: it can offer some opportunities for humility and empathy. The former, well, see above! I am reminded with great frequency of the myriad facts, locations, and languages of which I am wholly ignorant. The latter is related: just because I cannot express myself does not mean that I am without thoughts and desires. As a society we seem to diminish people who communicate poorly. I think after being the 'fool' I'd like to remember this feeling in future interactions with others and afford them the same gentle treatment that I have occasionally (usually) received.

I succeeded in getting gazpacho, salmon tartar, and coffee. All in (imperfect) French. Gotta give myself credit, where due, to be fair.

Also: here are some pictures from Toulouse.

My favorite part of the city was seeing a bunch of fun-looking riverboats moored alongside the road on the way out of town. Seems like a nifty space in which to live.もっと詳しく
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旅行者 Looks yummy
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
旅行者Oui, délicieux. Yes, delicious.
2023/07/22返信する翻訳する
1いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日14
- 2023年7月24日月曜日 12:13
- ☁️ 84 °F
- 海抜: 128 フィート
- フランス Anse de Malmousque 43.283333, 5.35666743°16’60” N 5°21’24” E
2
Marseille in 42 hours
2023年7月24日, フランス ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Parting is such sweet sorrow.

I added Marseille to my itinerary rather last-minute as I had forgotten that I have people there.

About 8 years ago, I lived with an awesome French roommate in SF. We have sorta stayed in touch, but not nearly enough to feel comfy inviting myself for more than a quick visit. What a mistake! Marseille merits at least a week. There's a lot to see and I barely scratched the surface.

I did enjoy a gorgeous day sunbathing* by the sea, yummy food, a late-night (early morning) DJ fueled night out, a bike ride along the water, a sunrise swim workout, sunset drinks with a view, a lot of people watching, rooftop Rose with three beautiful women, pain au chocolat, a fantastic home-cooked dinner, and some fine meanders through the streets and alleys of Marseille. All that in about 42 hours ain't bad at all!

The best part was spending time with Perrine and Romain, and I genuinely look forward to my next visit (and theirs to me).

One of the troubles- I often reflect- with travel is that the more places I go and people I meet... The less content I am to stagnate in a single place. It's also tricky sometimes to stay close while far away. That may be the biggest redeeming feature of social media.

*Which includes my 1st swim in the Mediterranean Sea!もっと詳しく
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You're welcome whenever you want ! [Perrine Maquinghen]
2023/07/24返信する翻訳する
旅行者Grazie! ( devi praticare l'italiano, ora )
2023/07/24返信する翻訳する
1いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日15
- 2023年7月25日火曜日 8:24
- ☁️ 70 °F
- 海抜: 203 フィート
- イタリア Mercato "La Piazzola di Bologna"44.501398, 11.34434244°30’5” N 11°20’40” E
1
Sprimutti is orange juice
2023年7月25日, イタリア ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
So far Bologna has taught me:

Fresh OJ here is "sprimutti" which delights me.
Pasta Bolognese is actually better in Bologna.
Italians serve a shot of fizzy water w/coffee, and this is the way it should be.
I looked at 2 places for chocolate croissants and .... So far that isn't Italia's strong point.
Italian is easier for me than French, so far.

I arrived late: RyanAir is cheap and priced appropriately. But the flight was otherwise not much notable.

My hostel has a bullshit policy of charging an extra 10€ for check-in after 7pm. Lame. That's a 15% penalty for a pretty normal arrival of 8pm. And... If you run a lodging business, you probably shouldn't plan to work 'normal business hours.'

But I got a shower and headed out for a meander and dinner. Bologna is/was a quick layover between plane and bus, not so much a destination for me (I'm here 12 hours overnight) but I am glad I did stop. It's fun to have some mental images of the place and I had a nice meal (albeit tourist-priced, for sure).
I also had a delcious aperol spritz with a noodle for a straw. This is a good biodegradable solution, I prefer it vs. paper straws.

I did find the city oddly.... Dark. The buildings just aren't illuminated like many other cities and the construction is more massive/close than some, lending a not too inviting feeling overall. I woke to overcast and the threat of rain (drops are falling now) which does little to dispell the sensation that for me, this just isn't as happy a place to visit as some ofhers have been. I guess that's normal - after a string of "I freaking love Santiago/Vigo/Oporto/Salamanca/Marseille" I was bound to be somewhere that just doesn't click as well for me. It's probably not even Bologna's fault... Just a difference of personality.もっと詳しく
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旅行者Edit: if sprimutti isn't OJ, by all means educate me. The nice fella behind the counter told me that but.... Some things get lost in translation
2023/07/25返信する翻訳する
旅行者 Looks delicious!
2023/07/25返信する翻訳する
2いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日15
- 2023年7月25日火曜日 11:05
- ☀️ 72 °F
- 海抜: 59 フィート
- イタリア Padova railway station 45.417586, 11.88028945°25’3” N 11°52’49” E
Switcharoo
2023年7月25日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Rain and new information have me making a last second change of plans.... jumping off a bus before my destination.... And finding a train.

I love a good dollop of chaos in my travels, apparently. And thank google for real time travel info! I am now queueing for a train in Padova instead of going to Venice. I'll see friends in Vicenza today and tour Venice tomorrow- more time there and less luggage (and less rain) are good things.

Fun, this travel stuff. If it were more plausible, this is how I would prefer to travel: grabbing trains at whim. But.... Tickets sell out and while I have a lot of time, I don't want to spend all my time in transit.もっと詳しく
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3いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日15
- 2023年7月25日火曜日 22:34
- 🌧 70 °F
- 海抜: 167 フィート
- イタリア Piazza dei Signori 45.547289, 11.54632245°32’50” N 11°32’47” E
Vicenza Sunshine and Lightning
2023年7月25日, イタリア ⋅ 🌧 70 °F
I'm so happy that I chose to add a visit to Italy, and to Vicenza in particular.

Francesca was the exchange student who stayed with 'my' Spanish family two years prior to my stay and she returned for a brief visit while I was there.

So we have stayed in distant touch for the last 30 years and I've enjoyed watching her life via social media and common connections.

When I was in Vigo, I was inevitably reminded of her by location and family ties so I reached out to see if she and her husband are available for a quick visit 'on my way' to Croatia.

"Of course!"

And here I am! Enjoying two nights in their lovely home just barely outside the city of Vicenza. Reconnecting after so much time has been easy and nourishing. We have been speaking Italian, Spanish, and English and sometimes all three. I love it!もっと詳しく
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2いいね
旅行者 Summer Of Yes
- 旅行を表示する
- 死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストに追加死ぬまでにやっておきたいことリストから削除
- 共有
- 日16
- 2023年7月26日水曜日 8:57
- ☀️ 70 °F
- 海抜: 52 フィート
- イタリア Ronchi di Campanile 45.462531, 11.77296945°27’45” N 11°46’23” E
I like Trains
2023年7月26日, イタリア ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
The ticket guy was mystified.

"One ticket to Venice" I said in something like Italian.

"Ok"

"What time does it depart?"

"9:03"

"There is one at 8:33, no?"

"Yes. It stops at all stations."

"Both trains arrive Venice at the same time?"

"Si"

"The slow train, please."

[He looks at me over his glasses] "okaaaaay" (you crazy foreigner)

I figure I might as well enjoy the views vs. sitting at the station. And it saved me 20€.
And they arrive within 5 minutes of each other.もっと詳しく
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2いいね

もっと詳しく