Friday, September 18th
Bistrita, Romania
I’ve heard stories about crazy things that world racers do and I have had various reactions to these stories. The reactions generally go something like this:
1. That is a great story
2. Is that really necessary
3. I hope that doesn’t happen to me
Today, it happened to me. All of us woke up with some sort of stomach issue. The line to the outhouse was long. The faces in the line were full of distraught and arms were wrapped around the belly region with hopes of alleviating some of the pain. The discussion went back and forth from what could be causing this to begging the person who was lucky enough to be in the outhouse to hurry!
We have moved from the outhouse line to the pub. We came into town today to check funds for the shower installation. And it is quite comical to watch the typing, the quick look of discomfort, and the even quicker sprint to the bathroom. There are 6 of us at one pub and 3 of us have been proclaiming our disgust at ever eating again. I am assuming this might be a common story this year.
And how we got to the pub, well … we hitch hiked. I feel weird even writing that. And believe me, I went into it with much opposition. I was reassured by the H squad that this is normal transportation all over the world. People don’t have cars because they hitch hike. I have to admit that when the car pulled over to pick us up, I got a little nervous because there was a 50/50 shot that we would make it to our destination. The other option would be less than desirable. Whatever our fate, we piled in the car. The car had 3 adults and one child, probably 2 years old, and we were attempting to include 3 more adults and our bookbags, which might as well be small children. Robin and I sat in the back seat next to the woman, and the child sat in her lap. And Matt, well, he laid in the hatch with our bookbags.
Obviously, we survived. Not sure I want to make this a normal mode of transportation, but I might not have a choice. Perhaps now, I should change my reactions to:
1. that is a great story
2. It isn’t necessary – we could have waited the hour for the bus
3. I hope I make it through the things that I am getting myself into – like hitch hiking and undesired bathroom episodes
Welcome to the World Race.
