change of pace

i found that as i was bouncing from city to city in typical "backpackers" fashion, that i was unsatisfied. I frequently found myself drawn to the parks within the cities to spend hours sitting by a river or chilling in the shade of a tall tree. So when I got to Cologne, Germany, i met up with my good buddy from the appalachian trail, Cheeseburger, and found out that he had 2 weeks of holliday in just a couple of days, we started plans to hike across switzerland. our plans got derailed a few days as he found out about the death and funeral of his college friend. we waited. then started hiking at lake konstanse (on the German side). the first couple of days were hot and kind of shakey as we both were still trying to look tough and cary on a seasoned thru hiker's pace. after a few days i felt the tendons in my knees and ankles tightening, the muscles starting to tighten and grow as the old habbits started to kick in. I remembered fairly qickly just when my body needs water to be strong. After a few days of hiking, the Hunger kicked in. The Hunger is more than your average hunger. One evening i consumed an entire loaf of bread (that was supposed to be 2 or 3 meals), half a jar of nutella, then (because the other people at the hostel had pitty on me) 2 large helpings of some pasta dish that was fantastic, a healthy serving of homemade apple sauce, and 2 more slices of bread. I dont know how many calories it was nor do I care. What I know is that after that I was no longer hungry. It is amaying how strong you can hike the day after a strong dinner! Every day i feel stronger. Every day i feel more at home in a country in which i have a lot of difficulty communicating. Every day, despite the heat, the blisters, the hunger, the fetigue, i am rewarded with a body that respinds almost automatically to the slightest change in the trail or environment, scenery that never ceases to amaze, and chance encounters with some of the most fantastic people God has put on the earth. Hike on my friends.

Cinque Terre

This is a must see location in Italy. There are some absolutely breathtaking views that pictures dont come close to doing justice. Cinque Terre is translated to be "The Five Lands". It is a series of small towns located on the Medeteranian Sea that are connected by a trail, 1 rail line, and 1 road. Cars are not allowed into the towns themselves to preserve the serenity.

The first day we got there, Dave and I didnt have a reservation anywhere because the hostel wasnt posting their rates online. We got there and they were closed for a 2 hour siesta of sorts so we went for lunch ourselves. We met some locals and they offered to show us a sweet hike. We took them up on it.

They were not mistaken, the view back down the steep hill was quite fantastic. It definitely made the buckets of sweat we dropped getting up there worth it. The next day was clowdy.

It sprinkled off and on, but that didnt stop me and Dave from walking south to the next 2 towns. We slipped, tripped, and charged down the single-track footpath(you know, the kind i like). Once again pausing regularly to take pictures (and catch our breath). When we got to town, we got lunch (yes this included gelatto) and hiked to where we could see the town from a better vantage point. Again, worth it. The next two days it rained and rained and rained. We went out anyways and it was fabulous, but it sure cleared up on our way out of town!

Rome (reposted with pictures)

Sorry to everyone that requested updates, I was trying to make some edits with a cell phone yesterday. My flight from Greensboro was short and uneventful (although i was exhausted). In Philly I caught a train into the city, took some pictures, ate a cheesesteak, and met up with Chuck and a friend of his. While i was waiting for Chuck to get there I sat with a few friendly people. I told Frank and Sebrina from New Jersey that I would include them in my blog. Mission accomplished.

The flight from Philadelphia to Rome had some peaks and valleys. I was super tired after getting hours of sleep the night before and then walking all over Philadelphia. I didn’t smell too nice after being in the hot sun and i felt pretty dirty. I took some sleeping pills, but slept poorly, waking several times very very angry. The last time I woke up was as the plane was beginning to descend and the excitement killed the fatigue and anger. I got off the airplane in Rome. Dave met me at the airport. We followed the pictures for the bus and got downtown and found a map. We got to the hostel and checked in then began exploring. We meandered down cobbled roads, up and down hills, down narrow alleys, past savory bakeries and "Bars". Dave and i were talking about how cool the coliseum was and right then we came around a bend in the road and there it was; in all of its rustic beauty.

We saw some other stuff. I think the most impressive thing for me was the amount of time invested into all the art. I particularly like sculptures and the old architecture. I will post some pictures soon