In the
morning I woke up rather early so I stretched in my sleeping back for a while,
and fell asleep. Not good because I woke up quite late for the second time, but
still just in time to arrive in the designated place punctually. I quickly
packed my things and left from the best spot that I could possibly find: a
wider area in the bushes next to the road with flat terrain and no high grass.
From there it was downhill and I biked to an abandoned gas station where I was
supposed to meet with my ride-share driver. I even managed to come earlier and
used the spare time for my last wild breakfast.
My
ride-share, Vlado, was nice and straightforward guy. I realized that in the
moment when he suggested that I could take a shower in the next petrol
station. I quickly deduced that I must
have stunk quite badly, and had a small upper-body shower in the next toilets.
For this purpose I had another clean T-shirt and I quickly put it on. With
other clothes it was rather complicated because according to Vlado, even my
jacket had an unbearable putrid smell and I was instructed rather not to put it
on later in the evening.
It was very
interesting to sit in a car after a long time. We drove through many cities
that I previously visited and I felt like I am having my story rewound quickly
backwards. I also held high hopes that on the way we could have a chance to
pull over at one of big Casino supermarkets where I intended to buy my favorite
chocolate spread and true croissant that can be hardly found in Slovakia. This
plan unfortunately fell through because there was simply not enough time for
that. I was actually supposed to be happy that Vlado agreed with a 40 km longer
roundabout way to Swiss borders where I needed to swap my bike with Krzysztof.
He was by the way also incredibly helpful that he brought the bike halfway to
make it easier for us. It was a great nostalgic moment to see him again after
having successfully finished my summer adventure. He even brought me some
cookies and water for refreshment, so thoughtful of him! I was sorry that I
kept him awake until the midnight and that he had to drive in nasty weather to
arrange the bike swap, but on the other hand I was immensely thankful to him.
Like a miracle, all worked out just perfectly, it is still hard for me to
believe.
Later on
the way we have experienced several stressful moments when we were desperately
running out of gas an there was no gas station around. By a stroke of luck we
managed two times to get to the gas station with 0 km in the tank. We also
realized one little misunderstanding: When I was planning my bike-share, I only
wrote that I need to go to Slovakia, but did not specifically mentioned that I
need to go to Bratislava because I naturally supposed that it will be on the
way. However, not for Vlado because his route was to go through the Czech
Republic and later to Norhern Slovakia. I did not see that coming and said that
I would find my way home somehow, but in the end, Vlado did not leave me high
and dry, and took me home. I wanted to reward him with some extra money, but he
refused. May his good treat come back to him when he also needs it ;)
Arriving
home was a very strange feeling. It felt like as if I were gone only for few
days, yet on the way I felt that I have been away for several months. It is now
beyond the words to describe the whole gamut of emotions I experienced when I
came back home, had my favorite dish, enjoyed all the forgotten luxury and let
my mum spoil me with all delicious meals I hankered after all the way long.
Despite all difficulties, it was a great journey, worth of every penny! For the
money I spent on the way, I might have gone to a luxurious 5-star resort for 2
weeks, but vacation this harder way was much more rewarding. Now when I have
seen so much I can finally appreciate sweet home again! The whole trip was a
good lesson and I guess that I will use the energy from it for a very long time
to come.
