Month: March 2006

Here we are in the heart of the mountains. Serge left in a drizzle at 7H15.

As soon as we left Gumushane, the road started to climb to reach 1875 meters at the Vaukdagi pass. The ascension was marked by a rhythmical swinging of the arms, head down until the culminating point was reached at the 54^th kilometer. It was there that Serge discovered a splendid snowy panorama. Once over the pass the terrain was flat. We were on a plateau. This region is part of North east Anatolia. Serge took advantage of the flatness to quicken his pace a bit because didn’t want to finish at night: it’s his obsession.

This region appears to us to be more strongly marked by traditions: women wear the scarf more often and some are completely veiled, beer is rare, French fries too. Bulgur and bread are the basic ingredients of the cooking here.

More encounters today: tea was shared, a minibus stopped for a photo, Do you need help? We never tire of these encounters. Serge was accompanied for 2 kilometers by a big shaggy dog. He’s beaming.

The last 6 kilometers of the stage took place in pouring rain which was really melted snow. The temperature was 0 degrees C.

For the past three days, Serge has been very tired in the evening. He doesn’t have any appetite and is so weary he can only think of sleeping. What does he dream? Only God knows.

English translation by Lee Hecht