Day: March 22, 2006

The whole team was ready at 6H50 and the 3 vehicles (Madjid will accompany us now in his own vehicle) drove to the departure point, 35 kilometers from the hotel.  The newcomers: Claire, Benjamin, Jean-Marc and Mathieu were rather bleary-eyed due to the time change.

At 7H45, Serge set off in the sun, which continues to shine and about which we don’t complain.  Even the temperature is summer-like: in the middle of the afternoon ot was 30° Celsius.  We were almost hot!

Serge ran well: his face was relaxed, as opposed to yesterday, which was a long, hard day.

René and George had the task of instructing the newcomers.

The average age of the former group was 54. The new group of six people lower: 35.5.  The race Paris-Tokyo is rather like a parlor game: for players from 7 to 77 years of age.  Seriously, the youngest follower is 18 and the eldest 69.  Yes, it’s Uncle: the young man as we call him.

Claire and Mathieu are responsible for taking photos and videos, Benjamin (18 years) and his father, Jean-Marc, will be responsible for feeding Serge and for tasks related to the camp.  It’s a vast program and one where boredome never shows its face.

Approaching and leaving Tehran mountains are again in view.  On either side of the road green rice fields are a contrast to the mineral aspect of ever present rock.  Rice is the basic food in Iran: you eat it at every meal with all sorts of meat.  The country produces 90% of it’s requirement and the rest is imported from India.  It’s too bad we can’t find this Iranian rice in our supermarkets because it is extremely fine and tasty.  We don’t tire of eating it.

At 20H00 it’s time for Georges and René to leave after having been with us for 38 days.  Departures are always sad and full of emotion.  I want to thank this senior team: Joël, René and Georges, for their support, their efficiency, their devotion to Serge and just their presence.  It was a true experience of sharing and happiness!