Tarka has just entered Malawi and unfortunately has not been able to find internet access as yet to put up a new post. This morning however, I read on one of our friends (Alastair Humphreys) website, an excerpt that gives a brilliant incite into what people fill their days with when cycling alone and therefore can offer some vague similarities into what Tarka will be thinking about as he and Herbert make their way South.
Aged 24, Alastair left England to cycle round the world. His journey along the length of the Earth’s three great landmasses (Africa, the Americas, Eurasia) took more than 4 years to complete, covering 60 countries, 5 continents and 46,000 miles. Alastair has written two fantastic books of his epic adventure, ‘Moods of Future Joys’ and ‘Thunder & Sunshine’, which have received excellent reviews.
Taken from: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com
People often ask me what I thought about all day when I was out riding, alone:
what do i do all day? well, many things really. in addition to the obvious, i also have a habit of thinking of a particular family member or friend and dwelling on my experiences with them. sometimes i even talk to them. i also constantly analyze and re-analyze my life and find ways, and there are many, to try to improve my general disposition and future direction. many times, i sing. i wonder why my pointer finger toe is longer than my thumb toe. i often search the side of the road for anything salvageable (the states, owing to its opulence and too often non-pedestrian lifestyle, was a venerable treasure chest – money, food, license plates, more food…). i eat. i read. i stop to scribble down ideas. i pee. i apply sunscreen. i, depending, remove or add layers of clothing. i chat with curious drivers. i repair flat tires or change out broken spokes. i listen to music. i take pictures. i write letters. i make to do lists (an unshakeable habit). i choose career paths and then quit. i re-live days of my youth, both the good and bad. i explain things to people that aren´t there and they finally understand. i think of things i should have said but didn´t. i, depending, laugh, cry, or am neutral in regards to certain memories. i try to remember where i slept seventeen nights ago. i look at the picture of my family that i have in a clear piece of plastic on top of my handlebar bag and am thankful. i look at maps and decide. i exchange fleeting pleasantries with people. i think about the future. i dwell on the past. i am surprised at the present. i remember things i´ve forgotten to do and add them to those to do lists. i grow my beard. i miss people. and, i watch the amazing scenery unfold. all in all, it makes for quite a full day.
