Am I the only one doing this?

After I had pushed myself to my limits yesterday only to get saved by the bakery woman and her friend. Today, I decided was going to be a good day.

Leaving town with a sandwich and some cookies, I was looking forward to my coffee after a gentle 15km through the sleepy mornings. Green and quiet, the cycling lane in front of me. It smells of acacia, a few “Bonjour’s” to some dog walkers and a lonely cyclist.

Peaceful landscapes and sometimes I wonder: “Am I the only one on these roads that isn’t retired yet?”

As I stop in a very cute town the sun peaks through the heavy clouds, just as I place my coffee cup on my lips to take the first sip. I sit I write, I think tempted by the cookies sugar rush to speed into “the next town” I resist to take a walk around “this town” instead.

Between marvellous parks, beautiful buildings and strangers that all seem to smile at me today I find the one thing I was secretly wishing for.

Clean toilets, equipped even with toilet paper. At that stage I am truly amazed. But it gets even better, as I wash my hands, the soap dispenser has actual soap in it and there are paper towels to dry my hands. Luxury.

That toilet made me so happy, I decided to share my happiness with my bike, clean it from the traces of yesterdays storm and oil the chain.

Then I walk through another park cross a few more friendly strangers and make my way to a Kebab place.

Can you imagine how many endless seeming kilometres in the rain I was dreaming about just this, a Kebab?

I cycle just a little bit further into the centre of the town. In mind I have, to eat this kebab, maybe on a bench in front of the church. What I find instead is a very romantic, hidden garden. An Ivy overgrown gate leads me into a different time. Roses and a view.

Now with a contently filled stomach I make my way to somewhere I don’t know yet.

What else will the day bring to me?

For a little while I cycle through green hills, when I start to laugh, and say hello to all the cows I cross just because they are all beautiful and my only option when it comes to conversation partners. I sing and suddenly I wonder; “Was it really that easy?” “Was this day turning out that wonderful, just because I decided so in the morning? Just because, while I pedalled out of town, with a sandwich and some cookies in my pocket, chose to enjoy this day? Is it just because I take the time to smell the flowers on my way, instead of rushing past them?”

Just the random toilet, the kebab and my peaceful coffee that morning would have made my day. But we weren’t anywhere near it’s end yet.

I don’t dare to ask more of this day than I already had. Still I have one thing missing. Even though I do enjoy to talk to all the retired french couples I meet on the cycling lanes, and have some rather one sided exchanges with the grazing cows. I was longing to meet some people, that like myself just choose a retired lifestyle without actually being in their sixties. Some people anywhere between 20 and 40 that is. Just randomly cycling around choosing an expedition over 9 to 5 lifestyle.

Or am I the only one doing this?

I am not.

In the afternoon I stop in time to have another coffee, take time to write at a marvellous shelter offered by the town hall for passing cyclists.

When they all walk through the door. Just like that, in this exact right moment. We meet there by complete accident, coming from different directions heading towards unclear destinations. Four of us, long hours of talking. The conversations I was missing. Between 20 and 40, choosing to embark on an expedition instead of following a life preordered.

“Since how long are you on this trip?” I get asked. A bit perplex and surprised myself I notice I have no idea. Time is completely lost. So much happens in just one day, even yesterday feels like weeks ago. And this one was no exception, just one more day, filled with a weeks worth of value.

Did I just get everything I could have possibly needed from that day, again? Or is that just how life is bound to turn out if you take the time to smell the flowers, instead of rushing past them?

Thank you all for passing by and enjoy your week!

All photos and words are owned by ©kesityu taken and written by myself.