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Now we’re headed back to the Pacific coast. The first time since Chile. The first day we bike to a suburb of Ica called Santiago where we stay at a kids’ soccer camp. The ride to get there was 130 km with some climbs early in the day and headwinds that slowly turned right in the afternoon. I feel like I’m in Brazil again for some reason. It’s all the stands on the side of the road and the tropical weather and attitude. I find in the mountains people are more conservative. I stop at a stand on the side of the ride to get some soda and chips and the family there wants to take a picture with me, which I love. They also want me to take some pics with their kids.
At camp, when each rider comes in the kids insist on helping you set up your tent, though they don't really know how to and prove to be more of a hindrance. They are really good at soccer. We watch them play a little at night. I also walk into the town at night. Get some ice cream, fried chicken and use some Internet. The town is really festive and I sit out and read my book On the Road.
Now I am back up to the present day’s ride which was to the town of Paracas back to the coast! Its short - only 90 km - and i get here before 11 am. Lunch places aren’t even open yet. They are giving us some rest from the mountain stages and it’s clear people are enjoying it. We are staying at a nice hotel with an outdoor pool and restaurant. It’s like a vacation from traveling. A funny concept but with the traveling we are doing you sometimes need it. I go on a boat tour that takes us out to see sea lions and other marine life. Awesome tour. At the end, the tour guide says that things have gotten a lot worse for the animals with the rise in sea temperatures. Climate change is a serious problem that will slowly start to interfere in more aspects of our lives and with greater severity.
Let's come together and make an impact on this cause.
Bryan Mahoney -