We've been on the road now for one month and 8 days. Today is serving as a day of rest before embarking on the next chapter - through the desert of Baja. Promises of no water and harsh weather conditions are all the buzz in our little tribe. THREE DAYS! NO WATER! SUN! And worst of all: NO CELL PHONE RECEPTION! Oh. My. Goodness.
In my world, the most notable event that happened was an attack of what some call Montezuma's Revenge. This is the first time in my life that I have been stricken with food poisoning that I can recall. I can tell you with minimal doubt that the combination of bicycles and vomit/otherwise is no laughing matter. Thankfully the support vehicle was kind enough to transport me for a day. I basically slept for 24 hours during this period. It was less than comfortable. This has all been in contrast to the beauty of an ever changing landscape.
You can hear the semi-trucks rumbling from meters behind. As they approach A similar reaction ensues in my physiology. Teeth bruxed, breath held, hands tightened GRRUUUMMMBBBFFF! SHEEW! Another truck passes and my life is still in tact. Thank you God.
In general, traffic has been friendly and allowed us space as cyclists. There are countless incidences however, where this is not the case. I used to always think that when I depart from this world it would be at the hand of a Prius (saving the world). More lately, I'm not so sure.

Lessons Learned

1. You cannot sing Aretha or Lauryn on uphill climbs (Big Sur).
2. That which is the most spoken is probably the least present
3. Attitude is a choice. I often wake up in a sour mood. Room for improvement.
4. Nothing is as it seems.

While Las Angeles isn't my city I have found the hospitality of the last few days to be amazing. Balao, Tora, and I stayed with a couple capoeiristas (louise & marcelo). They welcomed us with open arms, and kindness and amazing water pressure.
On Friday night the five of us had dinner at Diego's family house. His two younger sisters and and cousins were a trip highlight. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as when we were all playing hide and seek in the backyard fruit trees. It might go without saying, the food was amazing. Diego's step mom even brought us second dinner of pupusas... just because we were talking about pupusas. I basically had to be rolled home. Then on Saturday night, the magic was repeated - with fresh Tilapia this time and a tres leches cake.

Do it your way. Then: lap of luxury

SANTA BARBARA! I got to spend the last couple of days with Eugene friend, Kali and Sahalie her adorable white muppet-dog. She's working for UCSB and has actually only been in town about two months herself. It was nice to have repose from the larger mob (we're still at around 20 people) - but even better to catch up with a good friend. I was fortunate to get to spend 48 hours in her adorable studio which came with many luxuries: shower, internet, bed, kitchen, the cutest dog...ability to g-chat with my love...it was amazing.
The first night was spent at prof. Chin's house - a beautiful home and family with the most welcoming hospitality. Can you imagine having two young children, and inviting some twenty homeless capoeiristas to sleep in your space?! And then cooking them an amazing dinner, and breakfast? Truly gracious.
The days previous were trying. I have this head cold that won't seem to go away (actually, now that I've slept indoors in a bed for a couple nights it feels better). On top of that, Keith and I were left behind the larger group and had to put in an 75ish mile day to catch up... the good news is that 75 miles feels great. The other news is I'm learning a good deal about myself and ability (or lack thereof) to maintain composure in difficult situations with acquaintances. Or: have you seen my "bitchy face"? I might have ended up hiding in front of a volkswagon outside one night to cry out of frustration, because yes, I am a seven year old.
In other news: I still don't like the iphone.
The area of the coast between Big Sur and La Santa Monica is totally new territory to me. It's amazing to explore by bike!

I might not be an extrovert.

So far we've had nothing but great weather and tailwinds.  It's pretty incredible to be in a bike gang rolling about 20 deep - including four capoeira mestres (three of said wearing flags as capes). Surreal? Maybe.
A difficulty with a mob this size is - well - basically everything, actually. Herding cats. Cats who happen to be riding mechanically complex (at least somewhat) machines that can malfunction. But a good time in the process.
Yesterday I had to turn back to pick up my traveling companion, Misha, who had fallen back at the grocery store. I left the group, rode back, and wouldn't you know it, something on my bike gives out. Not a big deal - a screw in the front crank came out - but actually locked my pedals - which made the situation seem dire. Cell phone reception? No. Panic? No - rapid field diagnostics and repair. Ladywood.
During rehearsals in Santa Cruz this afternoon for the first music video Mestre balked at me for not dancing enough with my hands while dancing and singing. "But wait a minute-" you might be thinking, "I though you were on a bike tour, not making music videos?"And by you, I mean me. And by 'wait a minute' I mean I had this flash of what the what?! So yeah, I may or may not be in a capoeira music video background singing and dancing. Hopefully if this happens I will have an opportunity to shower beforehand and not be wearing chamois. Not holding my breath.
Every day is long, short, hilarious, frustrating, hot, cold, tiring, magic. Every food is astounding. Sleep? The most delicious indulgence of all. I feel like I've won the lottery.

La Roda: a Wednesday Night Manefesto

"How are you feeling?" has been the recurring question of the day. Week. Month...

How am I feeling? Well, let me tell you a story.

Two days ago I was at a resale clothing store purging the last of my clothes when I saw a woman pluck up a dress from a nearby rack. Favoring it, she tucked it under her arm and went about her way. This scene made me well up with tears. Wait, what? Yes. The very thought that she will go on with her normal day, and probably drive her normal car to her normal house where she has her own closet full of nice little things (and probably a husband to boot! Probably even children!) led me to feel deep pangs of envy toward the innocent bystander.
Predictable. Comfortable. These are the choice adjectives I assigned to her hypothetical life which led to the tears of (useless) self pity.

I have been waking up with cramps in my stomach, and falling asleep in the looming shadows of crap scattered everywhere. Unfinished projects, parcels to be mailed, accounts to be closed. To do lists. Stacks. Piles. Passwords. Licenses, taxes, insurance. "Are you nervous about decapitation in Mexico?" Oh, and did I mention I fell in love three months ago? Time: what did I ever do to you?!

Consistently later than preferable, I sleep in a full size bed surrounded by "to do" items, gear, and tools. Yes, I had a scandalous affair with a spoke wrench last night. It was less than comfortable. I can do nothing but sigh when the doxycycline maraca chuckles next to me. Thank you Safeway pharmacy. I half sleep walk into the kitchen and eat a spoon full of my roommate's Java Heath ice cream (sorry em). I wish I could claim this to be an isolated incident. Tomorrow I walk away from an office I love and patients I adore, that is a sweet short ride through happy neighborhoods to a house full of the best roommates/family a person could ask for.

The circle that capoeiristas gather to play is called a Roda. It's seen as metaphor for life: struggles, chaos, trickery, challenge, laughter and fear. There are few human situations that shake me more than being watched and/or evaluated by my peers while doing something I struggle with - so - naturally when it comes to the acrobatic, fast moving, high impact art of capoeira it's a challenge (on a good day) to jump in. All the sudden I'm a terrified, broken nine year old again. Please don't watch me. And these people? They don't want you around. Side note: if you're fortunate enough to be a parent, I beg you to never poison your children with this sort of message.
I stand on the fringe. I watch. I wait. I observe and calculate. I make plans. And then, all of the sudden and at the same time after two hours, fear wins. You'll never be good enough. I freeze and choke.

So friends, this is how I feel.

This is why endured the sweat and strain of Benevolent Fist twice a week for years.
This is why I play capoeira.
This is why I'm mounting a bike this Sunday and pedaling.

It's time to grow.

Big Thoughts

I want to make something clear about this whole blog situation. I will write strictly to enlighten each of you of the major epiphanies and sociological breakthroughs I encounter and create. Every word I say is important; please carefully study them to reference at future dinner parties/lectures. When I'm not riding my bike I drive a Prius, its bumper sticker reads, "my other car is a bike"...and since you asked, no - this fine 'mobile don't pause at stop signs or use blinkers. You're welcome.

Alright, alright - but seriously, I have been told by enough friends and family (who I love) that mass electronic contact would be appreciated. I leave Berkeley in 16 days on this rebuilt 1983 steel frame Bianchi touring bike en route to Brazil (lo' willing an' the creek don't rise!) on the Mestre Accordeon + B2B trail: http://b2bjogacapoeira.com/

A hora é essa, VAMOS!