17 Nov. Traffic.

 Riding through/with/in (it's all the same) Istanbul traffic is either the bravest or the stupidest thing I've done. Either way it was fun. The first hour or so. It keeps one truly in the moment, eyes fixed in the meter square space in front of my bike for space invaders- a foot, a bumper, a car tyre, a piece of sidewalk. Rarely do I see another bike. In 2.5 hours today saw maybe six bikes. I thought of what I read on Lonely Planet's Istanbul section regarding cycling as a mode of transit. It read simply: Don't even try it. I need to write them. That's a bullshit answer. There's plenty if good to be seen via two wheels. Their answer is lazy. It's a disservice to those seeking information.

My neck hurts from the tension but now I can say I swam in the belly of the whale. The choking smog us the worst part. I had no destination. I was celebrating my success at sleeping past the internal 03:00 wake up call, right into 11:30. Nine hours sleep. I caught some daylight hours. I rode to the not-touristy side, across the bridges. 

I think I will be glad to leave the city and head down the coast. I've pinned my next stop. It's 20 miles ride, catch a ferry, ten miles ride. A hotel along a coast with private beach access. $40 for three nights. Hell yeah.

Got a new roommate. Danish gal backpacking with her friend. I looked at her pile of stuff compared to the size of my pile of stuff. About the same only she carries it on her back and I have two-wheeled Loretta. Inspire me, camper, I thought when I saw her bedroll. If I can't find cheap lodging like less than $18/nt then Austerity measures force me to camp. I bought this highly rated bikepackers number one tent (Hubba Hubba NX) in May back when I was wealthy. I haven't even opened it.  Who knows I'll probably love camping. I am afraid of going completely feral if I love camping. My Danish roommate spat: Europe doesn't exist for me, all their covid shit.

Me too- America. Not just covid, everything.

"Oh, America...ya"

Indeed.

I can see where we both sound like spoilt children, ungrateful for what our mother country's have given us - enough resources to be able to leave then complain about the mother ship. Fair play. 

I really don't care at this point. Watching people yell about which is better than that is, what's a lie, what's the truth.....

I'd rather ride my bike ( built in Taiwan).