As usual in (form me) stressful situations I woke up early. But as I had said that I wanted to set off at 9, also Hasmik and her parents started earlier in the day. They helped me carrying down all my stuff and preparing the bike and we said a first good-bye.
I wanted to be earlier at the airport and so we said we would meet there again to say good-bye to Hasmik who went back to China. Normally, the way to an International Airport is an easy thing along big streets and accompanied by clear signs. With Garmin/komoot it turns out to be an expedition.
At the airport, I fixed some small problems at the bike while waiting for the family. When they arrived, we made it short. The parents will see Hasmik in half a year and so will I, when I come to Shenzhen.
And then, after 10 days of family life in Yerevan, I was on the street. It was early afternoon and a bit hot, but the first 70km should be flat. Garmin made again a strange route, meant as a shortcut to the main road M2.
and suddenly I was in front of many stairs, too many to carry the bike when you want to do 105km. But a man came to help me to find a better way. On the way, he started an intense conversation and 2min later invited me to his home. I couldn’t say no, although my time was short. He offered me everything, from food to shower and we talked – of course – about Armenian political situation but also about other things as he is a studied historian but now a soldier and had been 2x in Afghanistan in the peacekeeping mission. Btw, I ask for his salary. While Germans get some 4000€, Armenians get 1200€ for being in the same situation and doing the same things. When I finally left, we connected at facebook and he gave me a bottle with frozen water which was delicious for my “whole hour break” at 3, 4 and 5.
First, I had to say the final good-bye to Yerevan, although I want to come back again (and again)
The route came quite near to the border to Turkey and there should be Mount Ararat. But as in 2015 I could see clouds, fog, haze and mist.
If you look long enough and know what you want to see, you will the mountain. (I just wonder why a mountain that, evertime you want to see, is invisble, can be so important. Ok, I dont wonder, I know better…)
On the road, I felt again like in the beginning in Austria and after the Burgas+ferry break. After the flat 70km, I started in the mountains but also my knee had begun to talk to me, so I looked for a place for the night and stopped. After a few minutes I could feel that this was the right decisions as also the cramps came back spectacularly. Sometimes I didn’t know how to relax as sometimes simultaneous cramps need conflicting treatment. But at least I know that things get better the next day. ?
Before that, I wanted to buy a small honey (or sugar?) melon, but when you are riding a bike and want only small or few things, it is hard to pay. I got not only this melon for free, but was invited for a big piece of watermelon, too.
I ate the whole melon, maybe 1kg, to the very skin, and still I was thirsty, but there was some hope to get water soon the next day (true, see day 045, when written and uploaded)
Tomorrow maybe I only finish the today part to get to a hostel in Chivas, because otherwise I would have an extra long and hard way to Goris or a second night outside. But all 3 options are available from todays point of view.