“I have
shagged the boss and now I need to find a new job...I am looking for
something more extraordinary” Bridget Jones famous words echo through my amused mind as I sit on Chizumula Island, Lake Malawi,
Africa waiting for the second replacement set of gear cables from the
infamous not so reliable world wide shipping malorky from SJS Cycles
in the UK, a story for another post. Now back to the various leg
wraps.......
(Please
enjoy these photos that have nothing whatsoever to do with the words
in this blog post...However, FYI, I have been having loads of fun
with the new Canon Powershot G12 camera, thanks Dad for sending the packages out to me, you are a great Dad)
With another
birthday approaching this month, and my singleton status firmly
embedded into my “hard on all types of relationships” lifestyle
of contantly rolling on for the love of travel and quest of cycling a
line that rounds the world, a grand debate has taken hold of my
fearful horny old maid almost 40 year old mind. Is it better to wrap
your legs around a boy or a magic bicycle? Why the hell DO I choose
to cycle tour solo? Something that has been heavy on my mind due to
my upcoming interview for the BBC solo women in sports news hour.
I will be
the first to admit that getting chased down the street by some mind
baffling lunatic in Ethiopia who clearly did not understand that he
could not have a visit in my pants, left me digging deep for an
alternative solution to the attention from a couple of local perves.
Finally, after all other passive wise cracks and humorous hand
gestures, I resorted to threatening the last of the willy wielding skeevey perves with a coke bottle. Which sent him running off, at
least then the correct individual was the one running,
I reasoned to myself as I pedaled Pandemic The Magic Bicycle south
through East Africa with an injured sense of humor and Willy my x-L
knife at the top of my panniers but otherwise unscathed.
After
getting robbed of laptop, camera, gear etc inTanzania,
halting my writing and the WOW (womenonwheels) wall, it was time to
retreat from the road, time to find something else to do with my
time. I had to wait for replacement gear cables and packages to
replace my gear twice this past 7 weeks anyway. So find something
else to do I did. I tucked away at the Wakwenda Retreat on Chizumulu
Island, Malawi to volunteer at the lodge, swim everyday, gain some
needed weight, see a dentist, dry out the tear ducts, cook for
guests, carry some rocks for a new chalet, offer unasked for
managerial advice, oh la la with the boss, and repeat. What can I
say here, I could never stay away from the boys and what is the point
of retreating unless ALL hedonist pleasures of thoroughly covered.
After having
pedaled 30,000 km ( at best guess) in the last 3 ½ years, it is not
my legs that I have been resting, it is my sense of humor and questioning whether or not to continue this adventurous some times
lonesome life on the road. Is 3 ½ years of continuous solo touring
too long? Was this world line not supposed to be covered over my
entire lifetime? And,
not about taking my first ever punch in the face in Ethiopia and
cycling through the strong “rob me now” vibes of Tanzania.
Almost, grateful to finally be robbed on the African continent and
end the suspense. Practically offering people money to NOT hit me
with a rock, machete or hold a gun to me and to just take what they
want and leave me standing with a smile. Which, I am truly grateful
that they did.
Do I
recommend East Africa by bicycle Cairo to Capetown, you will have to
ask me later. But, will I carry on to Capetown with a repaired sense
of humor new gear cables, gear shifter, camera, laptop, fresh gear
etc? YES, after celebrating a moldy 40 on Chizumula Island, I will
head out choosing to wrap my legs around my beloved bicycle once
again heading into the rain season from Malawi across Zambia, Namibia
and then South to Capetown with a fresh gregarious giggle pondering
the many pros and cons of riding boys and bicycles.
13 comments:
I read your post. Would love to have an opportunity to meet someone like you and travel together. Sounds impossible?
Happy birthday! Glad to hear you're recovering.
It's been a while since you posted, I was starting to worry about you. Keep it up and happy birthday!
Hey you nutty duck!!! Miss yer sweet self. Happy B-Day. Was it the 18th? Cannot remember. Anyways my oldest turns 11 on the 20th!! Crazy eh? Take Care. Leave the boys be!!!! Let me know when yer T.V. debut is.
Loved thats... Enjoy the rides and have lots of (safe fun) x
Happy 40th oh crazy Loretta x
Lordy, Lordy Loretta's 40! (in 2 days that is). You continue to amaze me. Stop getting hit in the face. Yikes. Did that really happen? Be safe and keep livin' your life!
Nice to have you back. Missed your posts. Sorry to hear its been such a tough patch, but let's hope it's behind you now. Ride safe,
almost grateful to finaly be robbed and end the suspence hahahahahah i wet myself!....
Good Luck, I think small camera is better than big one. Expecially - Canon! Your father has a good taste in digital camera. See a happy people on your road!
Happy Birthday Loretta and nice to see you back with that great spirit of yours...
Relieved to see a post (that you are okay) - and that you have been taking some time to recharge and regroup.
Karla
You go girl!
Happy Birthday <3
Color me amazed, Loretta. You are truly an inspiration.
Happy belated Birthday. -bridie
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