What an Entrance!!!

Viva Italia!! We started our ascent out of France as we looked ahead to some killer switchbacks unlike we have seen on our journey. They snaked uphill into the Italian Alps about 800m and we counted about 4 to 5 minutes as we observed the one truck reach the summit of the hill. Whoa... so we started the climb in granny gear as we took our time. Kevin is much better at climbing hills as he weighs about 65 lbs less than me (25 kilos for our Euro readers), but I kept up with him the whole way. He was taking pictures from time to time... hehe.

The last 10m to the top... PACCCHHIIINNGG!!! oh shit! My chain goes flying off my bike. Luckily I had purchased a new cog and chain before I left Canada... phew. So I learned to ensure my gears were working properly before I hit anymore hills especially the Alps... yikes. We stopped at the Italian border for a birra and lunch before we hit the killer downhill. At the border town we saw a 5kg jar of Nutella... one of Italia's best known junk food products larger than life in front of us, haha.

We continued on to Sestriere (2035m or 6,676ft) above sea level where the Alpine events are for the next Olympics in Torino 2006. We climbed another 600m up putting our total elevation to 1400m for the day. We figured out that we climbed about 14 Hamilton escarpments in one day... whoa, our poor quads. It was damn cold as there was still much snow on the mountain, the temperature was sitting at 5° and was dropping fast as night fall was quickly approaching. We couldn't find cheap accomodations or camping which was out of the question. We headed down to a small village called Frais to camp which was about 15 Km away. We covered that in about 15/20 minutes on the bike as we descended at blurring speeds of 80kms/hr, what a ride. We wiped the tears from our eyes as the temperature went up about 10°, phew!

The next part of the ride was a breeze, we descended down to Pinerolo for about 40 kms and then onward to meet up with a great organization in Bra Italy. An organization that is changing the world starting from our bellies, "Slow Food" is an international association that promotes food and wine culture, but also defends food and agricultural biodiversity worldwide. This is very important as corporations and GMO production (called OGM in Europe) is threatening our food security for guess what... yup PROFIT. There site can be found at www.slowfood.com check it out, they are doing some extraordinary . We met up with two gracious members from Slow Food who took us out for lunch at The University of the Science of Gastronomy. The University was also initiated by the Slow food movement and is a very unique setting for the institution. We had some amazing food and we had a tour of the facility. The Slow Food initiative is one very close to our hearts and our objective of this trip.

After the visit with Slow food we were set up with some future contacts in Italy. We were literally stunned with Italy and the Agriturismo promotion that was recommended to us by Slow Food. There is a collection of farms here in Italy that offer education about food production and argriculture. We stayed at 3 agriturismo farms meeting some truly gracious hosts that will not be forgotten. We also met another local bee farmer and were taken in for a couple of days with their family as well. We met a gentleman outside of Vincenza who also took us in for the night. We have been blessed with some gracious hosts here in Italy. It has been wonderful as the Italian hospitality has been truly outstanding. It brings a tear to my eye thinking about our travels across this country.

The bike culture is alive and well here in Italia as we have been passing through the cities and countryside. The one day we caught up to a pack of cyclist that passed us by thinking they could leave us in their dust... haha whatever! Kevin and I could tell they were the weekend warrior variety and quickly crept up into their slipstream. Kevin was playing the harmonica as they struggled to lose us... too funny. We rode out about 10kms hitting about 35km/hr while Kevin was playing the harp. They didn't know how fit we are regardless of how much wieght we were carrying, I was cracking up as we were enjoying their slipstream. They finally turned another direction. We have been loving Italy for all the great cycling and food culture as well as activism here.

All they have to do is work on their goverment and get their troops out of Iraq. Everyone we have met has been strongly opposed to the Oil war and Italy's role... sigh, stupid governments...

Otherwise Viva Italia!!!

Steve

The long life

I have arrived...

I think I have found something truly special and amazing. Approxiametly 30 years ago a community was formed here in France, perched in the Alps, I will get back to this in a minute but excuse me while I go on a small rant.

Begin Rant:

read at your own discretion or continue reading at end rant below

In the past before globalization occurred people used to live in communities where they lived to support each other and survive on a local scale which worked fairly well for the last 1000 years. Now we have globalization and a large scale community which is good for the world right? The media tells us so, and we all know that corporate media is never wrong, they are looking out for human interest right???

Before I get into a huge rant about my thoughts of the corporate world and globalization, I've learned a lot in the past few years because my eyes have been opened to the atrocites (on many levels) of globalization and corporate interests. Bless the internet and indy media, it's probably one of the few sources I can get somewhat unbiased information. Has anyone seen Clock Work Orange where they open the main character's eyes really wide to see atrocites of human behaviour.... that's me unfortunately. I am truly frightened because I can see what possibilities the future has to offer. If we continue down this path we have a dark future, it is happening now. Ok no more rants before people stop reading about our journey heh. For those who know what I'm talking about sorry about reiterating what you already know... for others who don't know, go back to sleep, it was all just a bad dream and everything is going to be ok, just buy... just buy.

End rant

So we stumbled upon a community in France that was started up in the seventies. They are into organic farming, sustainable practices and spreading humanity to people in need through activism. People wanted to get back to our roots and to live life where certain values are held high. Food, shelter and love, what else do we really need in life, think about it. The process began and grew into about 9 communities in Europe and one oustide of Europe in Central America. It offered a place where these 3 values flourished and offered a place where people can find refuge from the growing world of "isms" that are unsustainable for our egocentric species and many other species. Many people from all walks of life are here farmers, mechanics, carpenters, builders and some people that had no prior skills but are willing to learn and grow. I think I have found a place that is very unique and unlike anything I have ever seen before. It is still a microcasm of the world because we are all human but it is something that is near my heart, compassion and the good side of humanity. Something I feel is lost in todays modern society. I really can't say enough good things about the community, I am blown away.

I'm finding in this journey that Kevin and I are caught in temporary"ism" as we travel from space to space. I was seriously considering ending my trip here, but I will continue on with my brother in this adventure. I have found a place I plan to return to. I knew that there would be places that would tempt me to end the journey but we have a goal. Until we are in VietNam I will continue forward as I find myself growing in ways that are not possible in school or corporations.

We took our first week off to stay in this community to assist in organic farming. I was able to assist in the production of 80 loaves of bread for the community. I'm learning skills that will help me to live sustainably in the future and I will surely leave a smaller environamental foot print in the world. Many possibilities and so much to learn. We had a great interview with a British fellow named Nick that will definitely appear in our doucmentary. Thanks to everyone in the commmunity that shared this experience with us!

We are currently in the beautiful French Alps in the highest town in Europe... where did the oygen go... heh. We are close to the Swiss border and heading into Italy to talk with some organic farmers in the next few days.

Over and Out!

Steve