Longest Walk Of My Life

 Victory! Yesterday was victory day! It was the last day of my competition with my friends. I cannot believe it’s been already a week since I started going on these crazy long walks all over Warsaw.

Since it was the last day of my competition I’ve decided to go on my biggest walk yet! A few weeks ago I was wandering on a map of Warsaw and I found a place called Balaton — which is a lake in Hungary. I wanted to go there before, and it would’ve been a little bit more convenient to go there before my monthly public transportation pass expired. But since I was in a race, and had to walk anyway I figured I should walk there now. So, I did.

When I set of yesterday morning I had some ideas which way to get to Balaton, I knew first I had to get to the Vistula River. I walked towards Nowy Swat street — unconsciously almost walked to the University again — then I turned South which is exactly the opposite way the river flows. I walked on the riverbank for a while, it was calm and quite, there were minutes when I didn’t see anybody — haha yeah, in a big city you have to be grateful for every minute alone. Then I reached the last bridge in foreseeable distance, so I started my river crossing. It was basically a two story bridge, on the upper level there were cars, and trucks, and trams I believe, on the second floor there were cyclists and pedestrians. I’ve chosen the Northern side of the pedestrian floor — which turned out to be an only bicycle part, so please be smarter than me and don’t walk on cycling lanes. I’ve chosen that part because from there I could see the birth of a new bridge. I think I’m safe to say I was never afraid to cross a river, however this was my scariest river crossing ever. It was terrible in every way. I was on a part of the bridge I shouldn’t have been, so I had to walk close to the edge, the water was rushing under me, cars were flying by above me… It was a trouser changer experience. I was relieved when I got off the bridge. From there it was just a 45 minutes walk to get to the place. I was walking thru what looked like a completely different city. There were beautiful small houses with gardens on the way. For a few minutes it felt like I was walking thru a gorgeous beautiful town. Eventually I’ve ended up between apartment blocks again, and between those apartment buildings I’ve found a small stream, that small stream fed the tiny lake called Staw Goclawski, and next to it was the park Balaton(?!) and a café called Balaton. It was a really cute lake with an very interesting surroundings. I walked around the lake grabbed the door handle of the bar to have a warm beer, when I received a message from Sari ‘lunch is ready.’ Because I knew she had to go to a class in the afternoon and couldn’t wait for me for ever I decided to rush home — I was home in about two hours haha. On my way home I had to cross the river once again, however this time I’ve opted for another bridge, which was a much more pleasant experience.

Staw Goclawski lake, with Cafe Balaton




When I got home I stopped my ‘walking workout’ and it said I’ve walked 20.34 km. By night I got close to 27 km, so I figured what if I reached 30 km? I went out and started walking all over the city. I walked around the Palace of Culture and Sciences a few times before I headed home. When I got to our apartment I had already walked 35.7 km. I thought that was a decent number, had my dinner, took a shower, and while I was having my shower I thought why wouldn’t I reach 36 km?! I had to do only 300 m! So I put on some clothes, and walked up and down the stairs in the building till I reached 36 km at 2358. Oh yess. I can’t find words to describe how happy I was! That’s the most kilometers I’ve walked on one day — so far!

I hope you went to bed half as happy as I did yesterday!

Almos

—   Take care — 

Location: Balaton, 03-982 Warszawa, Poland

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