Lukas World Bike Tour: Romania

Last time we left Lukas in Czech Republic with good beer, some beautiful towns and a good workout on his bike. Today we are following his adventures in Romania, a country famous for... Vampires :mrgreen: Did he meet one? You can find the answer in his own words while you're waiting for the next Twilight or True Blog episode...

Last time we left Lukas in Czech Republic with good beer, some beautiful towns and a good workout on his bike.
Today we are following his adventures in Romania, a country famous for… Vampires
Did he meet one? You can find the answer in his own words while you’re waiting, like me, for next True Blood episode…

-Pino (@haikus)

2749 km. Suceava, Romania – Torn sandals, damaged saddle and a broken tent.
More southeast I ride, more demanding the World tour is getting: roads are worse, language barrier higher, climate warmer ad if something happen to brake down, no spare part on hand. How many of you would’ve thought, that finding a proper tent in Romania would be so difficult?

With all my gear troubles I just can’t stop thinking of Thomas Stevens, who in the late 19th century circled the globe with a penny-farthing carrying only few items with him. No tents or spare shoes, not mentioning Nokia’s mobile phone with wifi access or Ovi maps.
So in comparison with Mr. Stevens, my trip could seem as a luxurious business-class ride on which only thing I can worry about is how to push the pedals under my feet. Doesn’t it?

Well, I think that even though my gear are lots more complex, so is the present world. Meaning that in the €10 per day budget, my options for food and accommodation decreases a lot. Then there are travel restrictions in my way, with all border crossings, tourist visas and road tolls.
But above all, in my opinion, today’s world is much more informed and prejudiced than before. People from Finland or Romania have lots of knowledge about each other, that there’s only very little exotic about seeing a person from different country. Border crossings are made to keep foreign people out.

It’s also a common belief, even by locals, that visitors can be mugged, robbed or just be laughed at by their different appearance. We don’t like strangers coming in our country- may be the slogan of today’s situation.
Good example was last night, when three Romanian policemen tried to make me believe, that camping is dangerous in Romania. Later on realizing, that it wasn’t them who thought that way, but wanting to to give the dangerous Romania-idea in my head. I’ve slept all my nights in Romania peacefully, meeting very friendly people and thinking, how can this nation with hard working farmers be considered as dangerous? I may not have found a proper tent accessories here, but I surely found a great amount of sympathy.

-Lukas

Source : http://blog.ovi.com/2010/08/25/lukas-world-bike-to...