I must admit the last time I was updating this blog, I was pretty sure I would be home before the end of March. But thankfully after a lot of physio and a lot of rest, the neck has relaxed a lot and so tomorrow I plan to leave Istanbul and continue east. It is a great city, but at this stage I cant wait top get moving. Tomorrow I cross over into Asia and begin stage 2; Istanbul to the Chinese border. If the neck remains strong for the first 2 weeks, then chances are it will remain strong for the trip. I cant wait to 'smoke outta town like dust with boots on'. In fact I probably would have headed home, if it wasn't for Vincent from France.Vincent and his girlfriend, Flore, sold pretty much everything, closed up their physiotherapy business and bought 2 bicycles and all the kit necessary for a cycle around the world. Their plan of no physio for 15 months was abruptly ended when they checked into the same dorm as me in the super Mavi Hostel www.maviguesthouse.com in Istanbul. Thankfully Vincent has offered to help fix my neck and apart from a few beers and some food, he won't accept payment. The photo above shows Vincent, his girlfriend ,Flore and her sister, Clare. So fingers crossed we will continue east. The sun is beaming down today. When I first arrived in Istanbul, the hostels were much quieter and the weather was colder. Now there are coach loads of tourists everywhere. I'm so keen to leave town and start up this adventure again. Its 1,827kms to the Iranian border and I hope to get there fast. We've got a lot of time to make up. The visas are only valid for so long., and I need to get through the desert and into the mountains in Uzbekistan before mid-June. Watch this space.......
3 comments:
Great to hear you're back on course Mark - we were very sorry to hear about the neck and dodgy-non-solicited-neck-massagers. Good luck with the next leg of the journey! Clare and Recep
Hey Father D
Great to hear that you're back on the road :-)
I was furious when I read your post about that idiot who cricked your neck (remember what he looks like and we'll go and find him some day - give him a proper shoeing).
Anyway, I reckon it's fate that 2 cycling physios happen to cross your path - just when you need them.
Father - it sounds like your trip has been blessed :-)
Best of luck with the next stretch... and I still hope to catch up with you at some point on your journey...
Take care my friend...
Cheers
Ted
I hope the first days in Asia are exciting. I think about you the first night you leave in the rain. I continue to practice my english with lots of guets in the Mavi, the rooftop bedorm is full now. I got a very far sight of Obama but "calm" comes back fast. I begin to want leave Istanbul and take the ferry to Asia. I hope all is ok for you. See you. Vincent
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