DAY 15
Sunday MAY 15 2005
The morning started with me eating the two tangerines Marjet had given me in Haarlem. Thank you Marjet. The birds were singing when I woke up in the tent. That is always a good camp feeling for me. I broke camp and was out of there by 11 am. By the way, I got to Noordwijk just on those two tangerines.
I walked from one end of this town to the other because I didn't trust the traffic or the bike trail.
My view along the way.
I would have like to have seen this.
I would have liked to have taken the time to see the Space Expo but I was eaten with anxiety to find a place to sleep for the night, first. Which meant I never came back. Sorry Jeff, maybe we can go see it together sometime.
The coast of Holland.
An ocean on the other side of the world.
Sorry about the finger. When strangers take pictures that is what happens.
In the above picture I am standing on the other side of the world off the cost of Holland. I got there by bicycle. What will I remember years from now, do you think? The salt sea smell of the air? the miles of sandy beach behind me? The people packed like sardines walking the promenade? Their many dogs that were with them? No. I think I will remember the overwhelming smell of b.o. wafting off of me from a hard days walk and ride.
Those aren't kites, they are windsurfers. Oh, how I wish I could be with them!
Do you notice the windsurfers in the above picture. I wish I could have taken the time to try it, but I feel the pressure of the day slipping by. My whole time is taken up by biking and I am exhausted. Time is of the essence. I must find a place to sleep tonight and the hotels along the coast were 200 euro a night.
Beach hotels.
If I can get into the town, Leiden, by 5 then I have an hour to look for a place, then I shower, eat, try to find internet cafe which will allow laptop internet connectivity, then it is time for bed. I just do the bare minimum, get to the next crash pad, and repeat above steps again the next day. I am exhausted, but what views!
I am finding that I am loosing so much time getting lost that I have no time for tourist activities at all. The maps I really needed I do not have. If I can find an ANWB (like triple A, but with a spin towards cycling maps) I will be set.
I read this off another web site and it is so true.
- We have cycle paths to connect villages to the nearest city. But trying to ride from city to city can be a real challenge, as some vital piece might be missing necessitating a large detour without the help of signposts,
- We have cycle paths for tourist which don't go anywhere useful.
This was the best cycle path since leaving Haarlem and look at the view!
On the way to Leiden.
Tomorrow I train to Arnhem.
Least favorite moment of the Day: Other people have made this whole ride in a day from Haarlem. It has taken me four nights. This is a combination of logistical problems, sightseeing, slowness. It is costing me money to travel this slow. I will have to train to Arnhem tomorrow. That's a headache in its own self. I technically should have been there by now. No internet for four days running. I haven't slept well for two night running and I didn't get to bed till 3 am tonight.
Favorite Moment of the Day: I made it to Leiden! Not only that, I found the most wonderful B&B called "Top Floor". Just down the street from the train station. I walked into my room with my mouth open, it was an island oasis in a sea of anxiety. Full of light, color, peace and most of all a good shower head!