whoa... it's difficult to put into words how i'm feeling right now. i've experienced such elation, such frustration, such stress, and such enthusiasm. one would say this is providing balance, but i'd say it's making me an absolute screwball. i notice myself talking a little too fast as a result of all of the thing that seem to be processing through my mind. usually when things are being processed in every other avenue in life, there's a conclusion, a result, a decision, a finished product... i'm in perpetual processing mode with no way of knowing when my mind will finally feel satisfied that i've reached a moment when all has been decided.
i'm having a wonderful time despite the search for a boat and transportation out to the finish line where the rowers will be crossing... of course it's about 80 quid (bucks) for a roundtrip ticket out to the island via boat. it's a two hour ride that's been described as quite unpleasant. the wind is fighting the rowers. they're so close and only able to go about 1 knot. they're delay provides me with more time to find a proper mode of transportation, but it also adds to the cost of this venture. i'm down to my final 180 pounds. i've been working at a spanish restaurant, washing dishes, which earns me about 30 pounds per night. this covers two nights at the falmouth lodge backpackers. not having a credit card is rough... "charge it!" i did receive a call today that my passport is in... i just need to see about having it sent out here. it'll be nice to be "identifiable" again.
so, allow me to diverge from the stress of finding a way to the rowers (which should never ever be met with the stress the men are facing just trying to make it into land)... i had an amazing day yesterday. i found out that charlotte, the lovely woman who runs the falmouth lodge backpackers where i'm staying, is a hash house harrier. she informed me of a run that the group was doing on sunday and i asked her to wake me up in time to meet up with them. a friend of hers picked us up and took us out to a lovely little down full of brick and rock cottages with slate fences and lush green trees. we had to take a ferry over called the king harry ferry. i thought it was kind of funny. the cars load on to the smallish ferry and about 20 vehicles are transported by way of a thick, long chain to the other side of the river a mere 200 meters away. i was absolutely mesmorized by the tunnels of trees we headed through. the colors knocked me out! after about an hour of travel, we arrived at our destination to meet up with the rest of the harriers. it had been raining, but the clouds began to break up and big, beautiful cumulous clouds formed. the bluest sky i'd ever seen shown through highlighting the golden fields of hay and the green rows of this season's crop. meeting up with the rowers was quite the experience. because i had newish shoes on, the head hasher made me give him one, poured a pint of beer into it, and made me drink it all right there... all before we even bagan to run! i understand the concept behind hazing... i felt closer to the group and immediately connected to the thousands of hash house harrier groups around the world. we began our search of the path and those who felt like it, ran ahead to find the direction to lead the rest of the group with calls of "on! on!" we ran down village roads, and through public footpaths that took us across lush farmland. there was a point when i was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the scenery that i paused my legs to take it in... i got a little emotional and began to tear up. the ocean, the sky, the trees, the fields, the feeling that i've had since i arrived in cornwall. i felt absolute elation and thought about what i'd need to do to move here. the running continued and i ran along with "edith". all of the harriers are given nicknames by their fellow runners. i'm not sure the history behind this particular one... he was quite nice, works for sharp's... not the non-alcoholic beverage company in the states, but the quality brewery here in england. he has a home near the area of our run and offered me a room with a car that i could borrow. i was overwhelmed by the offer and will probably take him up on it after the race is complete.
we stopped for a brief break of tangerines, "crisps" (aka potato chips), and milk chocolate digestive bars. someone pulled out the water and cider. i opted for the more hydrating option. this group is so wonderful. I'm looking forward to finding more of these like-minded folks around the world. after the break, we had about a mile to go and finished up back at the pub where i enjoyed a find cornish pasty. i'm quite shocked by the amount of veggie options here. we all drink a pint or two together and told stories of dogging and other crass details... i love this group! it was a sleepy ride back to falmouth, but i felt quite refreshed. i had forgotten that i had to work that night as well, so a nap was quite welcomed.
i have to head off to do laundry before someone else does it! i hope everyone's well and enjoying following my journey. please leave comments if you have the moment.
love,
erinn
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