A Respite from Cycling

Above is a photo from the balcony of my room in Bucharest. I arrived in Bucharest yesterday via Uber to see a doctor about GI issues that had been bothering me since entering Romania back on Monday August 3. Initially, I had been able to manage the symptoms with medicine I had brought with me. However, the situation deteriorated last Friday night. On Saturday, I did not cycle but took the support van to Sibiu. Sunday was a rest day. As I had not improved over the weekend, yesterday I decided to temporarily leave the tour and seek medical attention in Bucharest. I was able to be seen yesterday afternoon by a gastroenterologist, and I am now on antibiotics. I am in communication with the doctor via WhatsApp, as we wait to see how my body reacts to the antibiotics and for various lab results to ensure that these antibiotics should work for my situation. My doctor expects that I should be doing much better by tomorrow evening, but is actively checking that I do not have something more unusual that would require a different treatment plan. I frequently hear criticism in the USA about the health care in other countries. My experience as a traveler has been that I have consistently been able to get prompt, appropriate, and effective care when needed at a fraction of the price I would have paid in the US.

While I largely rested in my room during my rest day in Sibiu, I did spend about an hour and a half to exploring the old town. I love how so many European towns and cities have dedicated car free areas for people to wander, shop, dine, and hang out. I wish more US cities would do the same.

I loved the look of this couple as they relaxed and enjoyed their coffees.

Walking along, I passed this side street which happened to empty exactly as I was getting ready to photograph it. I feel like this should be the set for a scene in a movie. With small changes, it feels as if it could be set anytime in the past 150 years.

Here is another scene from within the old town district.

In the central plaza, there was a performance going on with traditional music and dancing on a main stage.

My cycling group arrives in Bucharest on Thursday afternoon. We have a rest day on Friday. Assuming that the antibiotics work as expected, I will head out with them on Saturday as we cycle into Bulgaria. I am quite sad to miss this section of Romania. Yesterday’s ride was the Queen stage of the trip highlighted by this exceptional climb to Balea Lake where the group spent last night. While checking to see how I was doing, one of my fellow riders, Mick, sent me this photo he had taken from yesterday’s ride.

Besides the stunning landscape views, there was also wildlife to pay attention to. Another of the riders posted to our group chat this photo she had snapped with her cell phone. At least a couple of riders used vehicles as shields as they cycled around bears close to the road.

Hopefully, I will be feeling better soon and will feel up to exploring Bucharest. Most importantly, I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be fully recovered by Saturday and eager to be jumping back on my bike for the last 8 days of riding to get to Istanbul.