Parted from my friends – the first days alone

We corssed the border next to Szatmárnémeti (Satu Mare). Ági, my wife and Gábor, our friend was also with me. On the other side of the border our friend Zsolti Berkeszi already waited for us. Everything was perfectly organized by Zsolti for us, we had our share in the best hospitality you can even think of. As I said, everything was perfect, but I still felt uneasy. The foreshadow of parting made me that way.

The next morning I gave an interview for the Duna TV, which got longer than expected, so we also had less time to say goodbyes. I was glad that Gábor gone with Ági, as I knew the parting will take its toll also from her, and it was better that she did not had to face it alone.
It was a really touching moment when Ági let go of my hand, and the four of us broke up to go separate ways. Zsolti also felt the heavy feelings in the air. I was glad that he was with me.

Together with Zsolti, we went in direction of Nagybánya (Baia Mare).During the whole day we had to battle with the headwind. I parted with Zsolti the next morning, on the outskirts of the city, and from this point on I was entirely on my own.
Climbing up the Gutin pass (1000m) I got into a remote but charming place in Romania. The countryside was really stunningly beautiful. I had the first week behind me, with 709km in my legs, battling with the mountains of the Eastern Carpathians. I was cycling in a heat wave when I got to the Prislop pass (1416m).

But honestly, none of this was of any issue, but the bumpy roads. I couldn’t get my speed above 15-18kmh. To top it off, this roads where covered in dust, so not only the human, but also the machine was suffering. After I left the Carpathians everything changed; the roads are flat and good, I had a bit of headwind and a bit of side wind. The countryside wasn’t entirely flat; it had hills, ups and downs, with lot of clean air, and huge fields. It is nothing like the countryside back home. I could tell, that the people in this part of Romania where living well. Although from the licence plates of the cars I could tell, the good living standards are “imported” from Western Europe.

I left the country next to Jászvásár (Iași). It was here where approximately 10 meters in front of me two cars collided frontally. I was trembling in cold sweat when I stopped. I was lucky to not to get hit by the parts of the wrecked cars. It is moments like these when I realise how much luck I will need on the following 6700km.
The best at last; before Jászvásár (Iași) I reached the first thousand kilometres of the expedition. So in the orderly fashion of jin and jang, I had good and bad news as well.

My reports from the Republic of Moldova will follow soon!