thoughts of today

besides my long posts, there are some random thoughts that I need to get out today.

First, I was recently posed the question: destination or journey? I think I said journey, which is the obvious answer. However, on a daily basis I am confronted with the decision of where to stop, and how that decision will mark my trip. I have come to realize that for me, this journey is a destination. I came to travel, so while I´m journeying, I´m actually fulfilling the purpose of my trip. Vice versa, when I arrive at a destination for the night, I begin a journey of exploring the city. Destination and journey are the same.

Second, my body has settled into a good diet. Lots of bread, fruit, and chocolate during the day, maybe in four or five installments that come before, after, and at several points on the day´s ride. Then a big dinner, usually with the €10 prix fixe menus that include pasta or salad as a first, and some sort of meat with fries as a second. Wine and desert included :) Also, I´m guzzling about 150 oz of water daily, 100 of which are during the ride at a rate of about 1oz per km.

Finally, budget. I´m managing on about €20, depending on eating and sleeping options. This will likely go up a bit when I´m out of the pilgrim´s hostel network. Regardless, though, this is substantially less than I had expected. I´m happy to know that I can survive on very little.