8/13 Start of Chapter "Mountains"

The hotel faces the open space with a church. Seemingly, there are many cheap hotels around here.
Marseilles has many hills. The thin alley goes down toward the sea. Signs that stone-made houses are located in a line appropriate for Europe in both the side are tasteful. I can see many people of colored races including Arabians, Africans, but no East Asians except me. Many shops are owned by Africans. Yes, there are many African French in France National team of football.

I look for a wrench at some miscellaneous-goods store the morning. But I can not find the one although there are the driver, the saw, and the soldering iron. It is nonsense, but it often becomes so when we look for something.
10:00, a bicycle shop opens and I can buy one there.

Today's train leaves 14:10, arrives about 18:00. as a result, Today's train which arrives before dark may be better than yesterday's. I pack about 40kg of total property and carry them into the train. So the train will take me to foot of Alps.

When the train passes over Gap, a mountain and a lake is attractive view from the train window. It was difficult to acquire the sightseeing information around here from Japan, but it seems nice place. A sailboat runs to the lakeside and a mountain is also beautiful. Skiing will be able to be done if winter comes.

I arrived at Guilstre station in the evening. I carry my heavy baggage, and assembled my bicycle. Yes, I am in mountain air. Cooler than seaside, and sky is so blue. Today's bed seems no problem, since there are a lot of campsite around here. The first campsite I found is 4 stars class. It may be expensive. The second one is 3 stars class. So I stays there. Lady of the reception understands English well, and have a good atmosphere.

Now I have my camping stove! I went shopping on a supermarket, and cook salad, bread, pasta, all things are made seasoning by white cream set. And I am drinking plenty of wine. Now I can cook by myself. A big obstacle is disappearing.

(2004 8/13)