Day 270 – ITALY: Serengo


I have spent today sitting inside using Yuri and Shirley’s internet that they have kindly let me use. I have updated the last few days of cycling through Italy, with a few decent shots of churches…

There is something that I would really like some help on however. I am trying to put together a powerpoint presentation with some of the best photos of the trip so far. I am trying to choose at the most 50 photos (preferably less) that sum up the journey so far.

Here is what I have chosen after going through the 1,300 photos I have online:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14degrees/sets/72157600094225981/

(this link will take you to a special page with small images showing the photos I have chosen so far)

There are 97 photos here. But what a hard choice. I am trying to choose photos that do the following:

  • Move the viewer. Make them feel something strong inside.
  • Show life on the road.
  • Inspire.

For me, every single photo that I have uploaded during this trip moves me. For me, every photo has a story attached. But you can’t show 1,300 photos to an audience. They’d go home bored out of their chairs…

What photos have inspired or moved you? Even a vague description like “the one with the clouds and horses” will help.

Thank you!

Rob in Piazza Del Duomo, Milano, Italy

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In other news, I was accepted by Village Camps to be a spring outdoor education camp counsellor this spring in Anzere, Switzerland. The location is near Lake Geneva. Therefore, the plan is to work with Village Camps over the spring and possibly summer, and then carry on to England once the contract at Village Camps is finished. I will still update this website once weekly with a weekly report during the camp period.

I start at Village Camps on the 29th of April. Till then, it’s all mountains! Bring on some tough climbing and fast downhills!

The Swiss Alps await…

 


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18 thoughts on “Day 270 – ITALY: Serengo

  • Lee

    You're right on day 267 – all the beautiful couples can make you feel a bit conspicious after a while :-/

    Hey, with the 'best of' – any way to number them? Or you might make the rows five or ten thumbnails long instead, for counting purposes. The ones I think would be really really most worth including are:

    4, 6, 12, 13, 15, 19, 21, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 41, 42, 45, 50, 56, 60, 62, 63, 69, 76, 77, 78, 82, 82, 83, 86, 91, 93, 94, 98.

    (I'd include the fish eye one too.)

    There. That's 36 of them. Others that get 2nd (still good parts of the 'picture') prize are:

    11, 17, 20, 26, 37, 46, 57, 61, 67, 79, 89, 90, 92.

    Ones that include you or some of your bike are important, I reckon – otherwise some of them could be just taken by anyone. Part of the point is your extraordinary method. So yeah. Also ones which show people honestly (whether thrilled, awkward, etc).

    I'm sure I could give a reason for each photo above but that'd just fill up way too much space.

  • jean

    Hi Rob,

    I like your selection, good to see you have included the beautiful waterfall, the dog in the rubbish bin, also the Rob-too-sick-to-smile pic. I liked the bread oven pics, which I don't think you have included, but that might just be me, don't know if anyone else would be interested. And the one on this page isn't bad either,

    See you

    Jean

  • Lee

    Ooh, nope – some of them are wrong. I counted across… maybe we did it different ways.

    Okay:

    3 (not 4), flat roads

    5 (not 6), naughty over tracks (my mistake)

    12, conflict evidence

    11 (not 13), cross roofs

    (okay, looks like I got half the numbers wrong. Sorry 'bout that. Thanks all the same with the 'intelligent' stuff.)

    14, map

    18, shave

    20, shot sign

    27, duragan smiling

    28, duragan lakes

    29, snowy descent

    32, to Tortum

    33, entrechat (yep, that's what they're called.)

    34, icy beard

    37, board games

    38, chilly camping

    40, T'Bilisi

    41, Rust'Avi

    45, dog

    50, Turkmenistan border

    56, officer

    60, donkey

    62, the one with the horses and the clouds

    63, Kerege-Tash pass

    69, sandy road (incl horizon)

    76, zig zags

    77, the other one with the horses and the clouds

    78, low hills

    81, horse polo

    82, vibrant orange

    83, dark skies

    86, camel train

    91, thorns

    93, oil-free

    94, feet

    98, apartment

    Whoa. Sorted now I hope. Delete this after, if you want the space.

    By the way, I totally agree with Jean about the bread. Amazing.

  • neil

    Great to hear that VC came through. I really hope you enjoy it!

    If you can wangle your way into the camp at Leysin, I reckon that is where the fun is… it was our home from home for many years, and still is to a degree.

    I was standing in front of the Station in Milano just a couple of years ago, and now I see you there. I flew via London from Tokyo… and you pedalled you blow me away mate.

    Keep on postin!

    Frosts here. Enjoy the Spring!

  • Luka

    As groups of pictures, most inspiring for me are those from winter wonderlands and tents pitched on waterfronts. Also, the one with kilos of dirt on your fron wheel brings that "seen this before, yikes" feeling back :))

  • Simple Nature

    KNowing which photo's to eliminate from the presentation is easier from a 50,000 foot level… meaning "follow the artistic emotion" from the thumbnails… if some dwell to long on a common theme… crop the sequence a little… and if an image is simply out of place… it too needs snipping. Since this is put in cronological order, that makes it that much easier. But yes, you have to detach yourself from the individual photo that you're about to snip.

    I would also highly recommend a second presentation dedicated to "The People" along the journey.

    Peace ; out

  • Jo

    Hi Rob,

    Great to hear you made it into the camp. I hope you can have some adventures of another kind there! Good luck with the rest of the journey.

  • Alison

    Hi Rob

    I have been offline for what seems like a VERY long time. Still,it's amazing how far you have moved on since I last had an internet connection! Turkey was the last time I was able to catch up,will have a proper read this week as I am of work for 8 days and have time to catch up whilst also planning a trip myself up to the Scottish Islands,you have inspired me to go off and do a lone trip! Take care,Alison B,Liverpool UK

  • Daniel L.

    Hi Alison, I wish you a great trip! Enjoy cycling!

    Do you know "Cycle Touring" from Monty Python? If not so, then go to youtube.com and search for "cycling tour monty python" – it's a great trilogy!

  • Emma

    Rob

    Congrates with the spring/summer job in Switzerland. I am soo jealous, i love switzerland. Go skydiving and glazing treking for me!!

    Love the photos and take care

  • carl w.

    There's stacks of pictures which I think are nice did you add image tags while uploading them? might help you in working on finding the right ones. As for the photography I think others are right to comment it's coming along pretty good now! As for here nothing much has happened just work, so I'm still having a look at your site while pretending to do work on project… so don't tell the boss!

    Sleeping in fields is in my humble opinion much better than grave yards! But what do I really know.

    All the best keep yourself out of the jam. Oh!!! and since you've shaved you look like regular tourist!!!! not some fearless explorer!

  • Scott

    Hey, Rob: I specifically recall one photo (may have already been suggested) from the remote Asian part of your ride. It was a panorama with a dirt road, the bike, and just freakin' wide-open barren hills. I remember the awesome feeling of remoteness and solitude that the wide-angle nature of the shot really emphasized. Gotta have that one!

    Ride on, brother.

    Scott

  • satoshi

    Roberto

    glad to hear that the camping leader position you were seeking is not something I thought it would be. they pay you and you pay no fees for training that's cool. once you get enough experiences in handling teens and get references you can work anywhere doing similar stuff.

    my bike is almost there just a few critical parts missing. Managed to convert a folding bike into a decent recumbent without welding. It also packs in a large suitcase like Bikefriday SatRDay!!! (need to unscrew bits though I will one day make them all quick-releaseable).

    I also regustered myself with couchsurfing. Looking for a sofa-bed for my guests.

    My short visit to Europe is still there but I may not go to Belgium as my mates are quite busy and also I got contact in Paris so I might catch the Eurostar from London to Paris instead of Brussles/Leuven. From Paris I should be able to find a way to get to Germany then to Eastern Europe. I am increasingly culture thirsty and Paris would be a good start. Are you also visiting the country run by the French (sounds like a miracle eh? actually they are choosing who should run the country now omg)?

  • Mum

    Have just caught up on your exploits. We have had not Internet for a few days but all is sorted now. Dad says that your staying in Switzerland brings back memories of his time there in St Gallen with the Youth Skills Olympics in 1997. I still wear his "official" uniform jacket when it's not too cold but I need to stop the wind going thru me! I was thinking re that fabulous church what it would be like to attend a service there. I can't imagine a Lincoln Baptist-like service going on there – can you?