"There can be no hope without fear, and no fear without hope". ~Spinoza
I must say that my travelling mood changed from the high
spirits to some kind of uncertainty, undoubtedly due to my recent health
problems. Going through difficulties like this in seclusion means to cope with
it by yourself and to decide where your priorities lie. This event might have
also caused a little deeper introspection because I was questioning myself
whether it is right what I am doing. One would say that my behavior is utterly stubborn;
the other one could praise me as tenacious and decisive. Be it as it may, I
would not continue if doctors had clearly told me not to. Besides, I do not
think that there are neither good, nor bad human traits, provided that we do
not talk about extremities. It is all just the point of view and it depends
much on the situation for which one particular trait might prove right and thus
become a virtue, or be condemned as wrong, thus characterized as a foible. It
is like talking about a freedom fighter and a terrorist – both are basically
the same, yet these two words have totally different connotations depending on
the situation and your point of view. For the situation I am right now in, I
found very helpful ideas and thoughts of C. S. Lewis, an older protestant
teologist, and by the way, the author of the famous Narnia series. Many would
wonder how I can, as a Catholic, find inspiration in Protestant readings, but quite
honestly, there is not much difference between religions when morality and
proper behavior is concerned. The morality of Aristotle, Spinoza, ideas of C.
S. Lewis, the Catholic morality, the atheist morality and even the morality of
other religions share a vast amount of similar features as I have a chance to
compare during my sporty-philosophical biking. Well, back to the point, C. S.
Lewis suggests that urges, instincts and human characteristics on the whole are
like notes on musical instrument. They are no right or wrong tones, each of
them can be either right or wrong in a particular situation or context and it
is completely up to you whether you create with the chords you have an artistic
piece of music or a total cacophony. Therefore, I sincerely hope that the tunes
of my character that I am applying right now will prove to make some good
melody for the next days to come.
...
Now watching the grass tormented by strong wind by the
river shore, I am thinking about myself. It does not matter how much the wind
blows, the grass simply bends when needed and stands up again and again, unless
someone comes and cut it. I will be like the grass. If I am lucky, I will see
this trip to the end, but if the situation got worse, I would have to be
reasonable and to abandon my plans. Right now, I will just persist, take all
precautions needed to arrive in Santiago in full health and we shall see what
the future holds for me.
Regarding the road from Orleans to Nantes, it is a
marked difference from the pseudotrails that led from the Canal de Bourgogne o
Orleans. The road is now mostly well paved, but most importantly wide, flat,
with no holes and with a plenty of benches for taking a rest. This part of the
road is called Route de la Loire and
there are also more cyclists here – a good sign that the road should be fine,
at least for a while. The atmosphere is different, too. Now I am riding along
the river Loire which is much more interesting than a narrow canal. There are
also many nice villages and towns on the way, but I do not feel like doing
sightseeing right now.
The only nuisance on the road for me is very strong
wind that slows me down significantly. On the other hand, today it is cloudy
and only 25 degrees Celsius. That would be ideal if there were not this stupid
wind. But of course, you cannot have everything perfect. Once the road is terrible,
the other time it is too hot, sunny, the road is unpaved, there are great many
cyclists, cars etc. – there is always something that can bother you, as well as
things that cheer you up.
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