Bevan, Bon Rouleur
21 July 2005 | 2:52 AM | Singapore International Airport
I'm tired and cranky but feel I should say something on this all-important first of days. I've been traveling for 24 hours: San Francisco to Seoul to Singapore. Now I have six hours to kick back and explore the impressive orchid garden before I take off for Perth, where my around-the-world cycling journey will begin.
I was up until four last night packing my bike and gear, and hit an all-time stress high, my stress-induced eczema completely out of control. The last few months have indeed been the most stressful of my life; no doubt due to my leaving stuff off until the last minute. Like how I had my wheels built the day before I left. And getting my rabies and typhoid vaccines that day as well. Not a good habit when planning an around-the-world cycling trip!
Packing was also quite rushed; I'm sure I forgot at least 6 semi-critical items. Crap. The extra spokes and rear blinking light are in my car. And I'm pretty sure my helmet is in the bike room. Oh well. I hope Perth is reasonably large. In any case, I made the flight; the trip has finally begun.
The peculiarity of leaving home for a year of bike, tent, and stove has been dawning on me these last few weeks. I have no illusions about how "fun" this trip will be, and I wonder how soon I'll miss home and want to return. During my month-long NOLS course I learned how to classify events using the following nomenclature:
"Type 1 Fun" is to be had during a truely enjoyable event, such as a party. An event of "Type 2 Fun" is enjoyable after the fact; one remembers running a marathon as being really fun while forgetting the pain. "Type 3 Fun" is enjoyable neither during nor after the event. For example, hiking all day, setting up camp in a downpour, and going to bed in a wet sleeping bag.
I'm expecting lots of type 2, with roughly equal amounts of type 1 and 3. We'll see!
Two guys with machine guns want to make sure I have a passport and tickets so I'm gonna go.
Bevan
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