Half Time

The beginning of March marks the half way point in my preparations, as I still plan on leaving in May. I have to say, things are looking pretty good. Travel preparations got quite overwhelming, and after many days in the library researching routes, accommodations, and a whole host of other things, I finally decided there was just too much information to take in, especially with such an open itinerary. Not knowing what to do, I decided to let more things come naturally. Some people have recommended that I make no plans at all, and just go with the flow. That's not quite my style, but I have to agree that perhaps it's best to plan a few things and let the rest fall into place.

Wanting to be well informed and be in good contact, I broke down and bought a tablet computer. This actually was a tough decision as I didn't want the expense, risk, responsibility, or carry weight of having a computer. I feel this is something I will have to look after and lug around with me. However, it will come in handy for things along the way, such as researching, reading travel eBooks, also with things like translation, transferring pictures from my camera, and mapping. The tablet interfaces with the GPS I mounted to my handle bars, and can pre-program bike routes for the next day. I have mixed feelings on this too, as I feel like getting lost is part of the adventure, and having a GPS deadens the experience. The practical part of me knows there will be windy, rainy days where huge road atlases are not useful. I plan on using the GPS sparingly, or perhaps as an aid rather then a rule.

The bike is nearly complete, but constant sub-zero temperatures keep me mostly inside. Fortunately my apartment complex has a mini gym with an exercise bike that I've been using regularly. I've also been running and lifting more, with some bike specific routines. This will be a major lifestyle change for me; from sitting in an office all day, to being quite active, or at least on my feet all day, and I hope to be as prepared as I can.

Other equipment is also falling into place. I've had to scale back some of the expectations of what I can realistically carry, and how far from civilization I can go. There is a lot of information here, and I will make another post about equipment soon.

Other preparations are underway. I opened a new bank account with free international ATM use, got my taxes done early, renewed my passport, and have scheduled appointment for all necessary vaccinations, including Rabies (I hear they like chasing lone bicyclists.) I've also joined sites like Couch Surfing and others that may help me see the real culture, and maybe stretch a buck (or Euro). There is still a to-do list, but it seems more manageable now that I have access to information along the way.

I have also been keenly following the developments in Ukraine, Syria, and Turkey, as these are areas I had planned to be in or near around a year from now. Even Russia, which I was hoping to visit Moscow, seems questionable despite a successful and safe Olympics. We'll see how things develop. I tend to think the news generally overhypes events for ratings. Then again, maybe not.

Lastly, the reality of the trip is starting to set in. It has been a fun research project, but somehow it does not feel real, as if I'm planning for someone else, or just for the heck of it. I guess I've been disappointed enough in the past to not get my hopes up, and part of me resists getting excited about the trip. Once I resign from my job, sell my car, and packing up my apartment, I think reality sets in and I'll hit the "am I really doing this?" wall. Further, there are things I was looking forward to this summer that I will have to miss. Trips like this are exciting, but you have to consider the sacrifices and tradeoffs, and expenses involved.

What's different now is a degree of optimism. Where I was previously worried what may happen, or more importantly, what I would become or where I would end up, much of that fear as subsided. This may have to do with a dead end job where staying and doing nothing is the worst decision I could make. Perhaps my recent graduation? Maybe just springtime optimism?

I saw this on an Apple commercial, but had to look up the rest.

　

O Me! O Life!

By Walt Whitman 1819–1892 Walt Whitman

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,

Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,

Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

                                       Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity,

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.