Day 14 - L'lle-Rousse, Corsica, France (Day off)

Today we rode a total distance of 0km, with elevation and descents of 0 meters: another day off our cycles and the relentless roads. L'Ille Rousse is a charming coastal town in the North of Corsica with a lovely stretch of beach and the typical carnival feel of Southern France: a spot for the game of boules, a merry-go-round, and tons of crepe-making stands, restaurants, and small shops.

This being the first of July, it is the start of school vacation in France, and hoards of people are heading to Corsica just as we are soon to depart its lovely atmosphere. A picture of the cars arriving on the ferry was the main headliner for the Corsica journal, but we still made the front page with a small photo, while a larger photo of the group accompanied a short article on page 3. It's always fun to be local stars, if only for a day or two.

We followed our leisurely breakfast on the patio with an amazing game that Roger introduced to our group. Everyone takes turns bending down and picking up a box of cereal with his or her mouth, the rule being that nothing may touch the ground but one's feet. With each round, a strip of the box is torn off so that we had to bend lower and lower to reach it with our lips. As the box grew shorter, more and more of us were eliminated, while many techniques both of bending down and of picking up the remainder of the box proved creative and exhilarating. At last, the box was stripped of all sides and was a mere flat piece on the ground, but still, six were able to scoop it up (often by getting one's face right up near it and sucking the piece to one's lips). Then the piece was placed below foot level, and John, Mike and Roger were out. In the end, Irene and Grace were runners up to the grand winner, Dave, who impressed us with his birdlike posture and flexibility.

Another highlight of the day was a wine tasting excursion, taken by half the group. We were given a private tour of the Camellu vineyards, taken into the bowels of the cellar, and shown proper etiquette for wine tasting. Those who took the "booze cruise" as Andy called it, enjoyed the many varieties of vino, sweet, dry, and dessert, on offer. Several had difficulties spitting out (rather than imbibing) the delicious wines. Other than that, it was lazing about the pool or beach, a sojourn to the lighthouse, and dinners in scattered, smaller groups, rejoining on the beach for more helpings of gelato.

Quotes of the Day
"That's my back! That's my back!"
-Rob, spotting himself on the cover of Corsica-Matin, the newspaper.

"There's not much to do in this town, and that's good."
-An'So, on getting the most (or least exertion) out of a day off.

Support of the Day: Andy
1. What was your best day so far?
The day into Sienna: the scenery at the end of the day was great, and even though it was crappy going into the city, it didn't detract from how amazing it was.

2. What was your worst day/moment?
I suppose the worst moment was when I saw Irene coming in all bloody on Day 4, in the island of Cres.

3. Why did you decide to go on the tour?
Because I helped organize it.

4. Favorite gelato flavor(s)?
Really the fruit ones, and the first couple of bites, because after that it's not so special. I do not like the liver or spinach flavors.

5. Are there any items in your CamelBak you haven't touched or used this tour?
A buffalo gun.

6. Are you collecting anything?
Magnets.

7. What was your favorite bathroom/lodging this tour?
For the bathroom, surprisingly enough, the one in Delnice. It was bright, had a nice window, it was clean. For lodging, the monastery by far.

8. If you could change anything about your bike, what would it be?
Fix the front forks because they're bent.

9. What were your favorite two or three films of the last 10 years?
Memento, Saving Private Ryan, the first Shrek.

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Created: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 21:05