It was like peeling onions. If there was to be one day that was really challenging for me, this one was it. Layer upon layer was peeled away. Just when you thought you were reaching the very core of your being and your tolerance, it was time to depart the water stop and set out on another 20kms. Another onion layer peeled away...until you starting crying.
And what triggered it for me was a song that came on my ipod (as I was climbing a nasty hill, when I thought they were over!) that had been played at my dad's funeral only 8 weeks before. I have not had time to grieve his passing yet. I have packaged the whole shocking loss up into a little closed box, until "after I had moved house" and then "after Christmas was over" and now, here I am in Thailand. Challenged physically and a small opening of my box caused a flood of tears as I arrived exhausted and hungry at the next water stop.
All I needed was food. What I got was a lot of love and comfort and no judgement from my fellow riders. It did not last for long - it was more a release, a processing of emotion and exertion.
As Chris says at the end of the ride, we start the ride as his customers, we ride like friends and we finish like family. It is so true.
Our leader today was 15 year old Sashenka. She had already inspired us with her amazing story of discovery, which was why she was chosen to lead us out today. We even sewed on epaulettes!
Sasha lives in Wellington, NZ, but was born in a Russian orphanage where she lived until age 4 when she was adopted by Annette, who is also on the ride. Sasha was very moved by meeting the HIV orphans from Home Hug yesterday. The experience of their joy at seeing their dedicated mother, Mae Thiew arriving on the bike, made Sasha realise how grateful she was to have been given another opportunity in life.
Every child deserves an opportunity.
The roads were starting to look monotonous. It was not that the rubber and palm oil plantations are not beautiful but when legs are weary, you need to concentrate more on the pot-holed road than the enjoyment of the present moment. Sometimes we rode behind garbage trucks, school buses and over bridges. And everyone along the way greeted us and or ran out in curiosity to see this lycra-clad cycling oddity.
Slowly the scenery started to change to resemble an Avatar film set. A Jurassic dinosaur would not have looked out of place as we rode into Khao Sok National Park. We were headed for our jungle resort for the night, and the biggest pool party ever!
The pain of the day faded away with a couple of cold Changs and a lot of laughing!
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