Opportunity Bike Trip
We never thought our passion for biking would take us across Western Europe. However, as Young Ambassadors for Opportunity, we are currently biking from Sweden to Portugal in an effort to raise over $5000 to open a bank in Tanzania through Opportunity International, with help from some great European friends! Opportunity International is a nonproft organization dedicated to reaching the poor through the power of microfinance. My involvement with Opportunity International began with an Insight Trip to Nicaragua, where I experienced firsthand, the impact of microfinance. The trip changed my life and I am now devoted to using my skills to serve the poor. Please help us raise $5000 for Opportunity International, and help others pursue their own dreams: a better life.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
WE MADE IT!!!!!
WE MADE IT TO LISBON! For all those of you who thought we could not do it... ha! For all those of you that believed in us... you are amazing.
I am now back in the United States; the journey is not over for the Kristoffers, they must make it to Faro, another 500km or so, and I wish them well along their journey. I am sure they are enjoying having a tent with one less guy in it!
Thank you everyone for your contributions thus far, but do not think for a second that it is over if you wish to contribute a little something to Opportunity! There are still a few days left.
I will upload a ton more pictures on the blog from the entire trip, as well as a full review of our daily journal entry when it is done - Kris has been taking a great record of daily events.
Thank you all,
Scott
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Congratulations Marte!!!!!!!! Congratulations... Salamanca!
Salamanca... we are here! Do you know what that means? There is a possibility we will reach Portugal tomorrow!
Hot, Hot, Hot, Hot! Some like it Hot, Not I Says the Bicylist
1) We have biked at least 100 kilometers a day in 35 degree heat (95 F)
2) Spain is so dry that our throats feel like they have infections by the end of the day
3) We have eaten more bugs than food in Spain. Why? Simple answer, there is NOTHING to eat in Spain before 9:00 at night, and there are more bugs here than stars in the sky.
4) I (Scott) have a pulled groin - needless to say it hurts.
5) We slept under a shack roof last night, where we had little sleep and woke up realizing an ant farm was nestled between my head and Curlylox´s - we literally did have ants in our pants for our journey today.
6) The water you get from tap (which is gross) or even mineral water becomes bathwater in lets say 15 minutes? Nothing like sweating yourself to death and cooling yourself off after with a nice warm bottle of water.. mmmmmmmmm
7) Roads -Let´s just say that Spain does not have a copious amount of roads to choose from; we took the highway for a while which was scary enough, until the police told us to take another road, which in turn led us into the middle of nowhere, death valley California anyone?
Friday, August 14, 2009
PYRA - KANEES!
We crossed the mountains! We are now writing from a hostel in Vitoria Gasteiz, where the hot dry arid climate of spain is beginning to be quite palpable to us.
Yeah, in case you are wondering, the mountains were great fun! Up, Up, Up, ... and Up... and... wait... is it over? Nope... Up some more... yay.
We are on our way to Burgos, and then valladolid, and puis Salamanca, and then Portugal!!!!!
It´s a Spanish keyboard this time, so i´d like to take time out of this blog posting to do this: ¿ Ñ Ç ¬ ª º ... yeah, I think thats about all the cool things you can do on this keyboard.
Pictures of the mountains and the absolutely beautiful coast of Southern France and Spain are on their way, just as soon as we can get to a computer where cameras are allowed.
Thats all for now, we will continue to ride on into the desert, until sundown, singing ¨can you feel the love tonight¨until our voices are lost and are love has sweated itself dry.
Love to you all, amigos