Day: January 28, 2006

3000 km: N41 18.448 E19 50.367 (altitude 200m)

41 days 3 hours 34 minutes

The 3000 km were celebrated leaving Tirana just after 15H30. Our sign board was almost ready. Serge was dusty from head to toe and the western suburbs of Tirana were not the most welcoming, thanks to noise and pollution.  The center of the city was crossed quickly (3 km).  We passed the opera, where la Traviata is playing, then along a large avenue which leads to a pyramid of modern architecture, before taking the only road which will lead us to Elbasan tomorrow.  Serge left Tirana by the East, which is more pleasant.  We quickly set up the generator and the computer to celebrate the 3000 km mark. Eliane and René made an artistic display with the sign board and shoes for the photo.  After a 20 minute pause Serge took off again to finish his day, in spite of a suggestion by his followers that the stage end there.  Nothing could stop our runner.  It makes you think he is fitted with permanently charged batteries.  He is definitely made of flesh and bone like everyone and he eats like you and I.

Serge is happy in spite of the marks of fatigue that show on him, as well as on the whole team at dinner this evening.  Sleep crept up on him before he could say a word.