August 13: Memorable Moments: Community
Traveling through three continents and making dozens of sometimes complex border crossings made this summer’s adventure more logistically challenging than previous ones. A large part of this journey’s success can be attributed to the invaluable advice I received from other bikers beforehand as well as the encouragement I received from fellow travelers along the way.
Before leaving home this June, I gleaned numerous practical tips from seasoned bikers around the world, many of whom I’ve thanked in various blogs throughout my adventure. I’d like to take the opportunity now to mention some of the kind and encouraging people I happened to cross paths with during my trip who added an unexpected yet priceless richness to my overall experience.
Exhausted yet exhilarated from my travels through Morocco, I arrived at the Tanger Med Ferry terminal on July second a little uncertain about the check in and boarding process. After clearing the x-ray machine and making my way to the front of the rather chaotic line, I was pleased when another biker joined me not long afterwards.
Aziz, a resident of France with business in Morroco was a regular traveler between the two countries and familiar with the ferry line and its procedures. We developed an instant rapport over tales of Moroccan highlights and mishaps and agreed to connect once on board. Over the course of our three days at sea we shared tea, traveling tips, and resources. After disembarking at the same time, we waved good-bye and each went our separate ways, richer for the time we spent together.
After traveling solo through most of the Balkans, I was delighted when I stopped at MotoCamp Bulgaria to thank camp hosts Polly Marinova and Doug Wothke for their helpful input over the years and discovered myself surrounded by fellow bikers from all corners of the planet, eager to tell their own stories.
Over a communal dinner and breakfast coffee, we engaged in animated conversations regarding border crossings, luggage, mechanics, popular roads and destinations, previous setbacks, and hopes for the future. Although we came from many countries and spoke several different languages, we bonded over our love of motorcycles, each contributing our own bits of travel wisdom.
A few days later after completing most of the Transalpina Pass in Romania, I pulled my bike off the road to take a picture at a road sign and was approached by several bikers from Poland, wanting to know how I had gotten my bike overseas.
When I mentioned that I had traveled through their country the summer before, their faces lit up and they asked to see my map and go over the route I had taken. After a truly pleasant conversation they enthusiastically requested a selfie together.
I think we were all excited about having traveled on such a beautiful mountain pass earlier in the day and eager to talk about our experiences that afternoon and in general. As they headed west and I rode north, I marveled at what a bright spot in my journey the encounter had been.
Several days later in Slovenia, I met up with a local tour guide and three other travelers for a twelve-hour hiking and rafting tour in the area. The other guests, all young men on their own adventures, were fluent English speakers with diverse backgrounds.
As we battled rapids, plunged into freezing waters, clambered up steep inclines, ducked behind waterfalls, skirted lakes, traipsed across rickety bridges, and wove our way up and over the switchbacks of the Julian Pass, Amit, Sean, Matt, Timothy and I imparted traveling tips, offered a lending hand, related humorous anecdotes, and texted each other group pictures.
With all the different transitions we made that day as well as some of the communication challenges we faced with the rafting company, it was comforting to have the support and companionship of these new friends.
Sitting in my grandmother’s nursing home in Switzerland, writing while she sleeps, I am reflecting on what a blessing it has been to cross paths with so many unique and kind individuals this summer and how remarkable it is that even chance brief encounters with fellow travelers can make lasting positive memories.
