People are people

Where did we get the idea to bicycle in South East Asia?

…on a late night’s walk home from Waterstreet after drinking large mochas, I say to Steve, “You know, I haven’t been this nervous before about a trip. I am worried about biking all that way. I mean, really, we have no arrangements made or hotel reservations. Can I even ride my bicycle all that way? What if the people don’t like Americans?”

“We must remember,” Steve replies calmly, “People are people all over the world and most of them are good.”

During the cold dreary months of Michigan winter, we toss dreams back and forth. “I want to cycle across Spain. We can practice our Spanish!” Steve suggests.

“Yeah, and then we can cycle from Spain to Portugal or then head south into Morocco and touch Africa!” I add.

I read the book, “Miles to Nowhere,” about a couple from California who cycle across the world in two years, only using airplane when necessary to cross the ocean.

“Let’s do it! Let’s cycle across the world!” I exclaim.

“Let’s not!” Steve replies.

After school, I begin researching bicycle tours around the world. I read journals from people that had bicycled through Spain, India, Australia, and Thailand. Spain doesn’t seem exotic enough. We want something adventurous. How about Thailand? Guidebooks lured me with descriptions of dreamy beaches, exotic fruits and large cultural markets. Then we add on a few more countries: Vietnam and Cambodia. With one click using the computer mouse, we are committed. Steve types in the digits on his credit card and clicks the mouse just one more time. Just like that, the airline tickets are purchased and just like that we really are going to start our first bicycle tour!