Travelling is a strange phenomenon (Contd)

Out of a total of 16 days that I was away from home I managed to do my regular 10 km run on 13 of those days. Not bad when you consider that business was hectic, about 3000 kms by car starting from the north of Italy and finishing in Roma in the south. I lost 2 days due to a back sprain, thanks to my overzealous back stretching. I normally put on about 3 kgs on my travel to Europe as I just love the food there. But this time the scale smiled back the same weight as when I left.

Running on the roads in Europe is a pure pleasure. People have so much respect for you that you never are in any real danger. The weather is just fantastic considering that I was going from the sweltering heat of Cochin where humidity is usually in the high 80s. In my opinion it takes about 30% less effort to do the same workout as in Cochin as the weather is so friendly. I could sprint, yes sprint, about 500 metres at the end of my run and still manage to jog to my hotel.

I was lucky to be based in Verona for a few days. The city is an absolute delight. I ran by the banks of the Adige river every morning. The waters come down from the dolomite mountains and hence a bit turbid. But really, one cannot ask for a better setting for a morning run. Sometimes people who have so much do not really appreciate it. We who are used to such shabby treatment of our natural resources are left to wonder what would have been. I am sure the periyar river in Aluva once used to be similar to the Adige. My heart breaks when I see the way we treat our rivers.

The funniest run I had was in Rome. The place is swarming with people and it is practically impossible to find an isolated area to run. I ended up doing my routine around 3 blocks in the midst of people busy catching buses to tourist spots. But run, I did. And that's what matters. The scariest run would have to be in Madrid when I lost my way or in Milan where I had to run in the woods near Malpensa. The run in the woods was exhilirating. What would strike us immediately is the lack of people on the roads. I can guarantee that it can be quite unsettling to Asians who are used to seeing a lot of people on the roads.

This trip would probably have to go down as one of my best. I was determined from the start to somehow manage my morning workouts. I am glad I managed it because it helped me enjoy the trip better and I felt completely at home. Of course, I missed my family but when you are in peak fitness (peak, of course, being a relative term here!) it gives a whole new meaning to your trip. People who have done it would vouch for that, I am sure.

Well the trip did another thing for me. I was previously a white wine enthusiast but Red blew my over. There is a little known winery near Verona called Fasoli Gino. They have splendid Reds with beautiful aroma and flavour. I absolutely fell in love with their Amarone 'Alteo'. I am already a big fan of their 'Calle'. If you want to know more about them head straight to http://www.fasoligino.com

The owner is a close friend of my friend and we were honoured to be at his vineyard for a charity dinner. It was a delightful evening and of course plenty of wine flowed.