"On the Trail"
Monday, August 6, 2001: The Generous People of New York - Catskill to Waterford, New York, USA - 70 km
Frank here…
It happened again. The first time was in 1997, the second time was today. Other than my few sour encounters with a few people on my first day in New York/New Jersey, I have met very hospitable and generous people in the state of New York.
It first started with my waking up at Dee Dee's. She had some appointments to attend so she was already gone by the time I awoke, but left me a breakfast place setting, a nice parting note and $20. Holy Cow! Stewart was still sleeping so I said goodbye to them both with a written note on the yellow sticky paper.
Later that day I was spotted by a man in a big white car who noticed my flags, including the one from Peru. He stopped right beside me and asked if I was ever in Peru and I answered, "Yes." Then he asked if I was ever in a city called Chiclayo which was his home town, and I answered "Yes" again. He was very excited and came out and shook my hand. Three minutes later he drove by again and gave me $20. Holy Cow! We never even exchanged names! I can make a living do this unsolicited donation acceptance thing.
Near the end of my ride through another dreadfully hot day, I bought a beer. I did not want to drink it until after I was finished so I put it in my water bottle holder. Not too long later, when my ride was essentially finished, I wanted to have some, but the can blew up when I just touched it. I guess a combination of the heat and the shaking on my bike must have loaded the can!
In the town of Waterford, I went behind a firestation to see if I could set my tent. A man drove up and asked if he could help me. His name was Joe he was the assistant chief (I think). When I told him what I was doing he told me that I was very welcome to set the tent behind the station. But the welcoming did not stop there. He also called the police and told them that I had permission to sleep there; he also let me have a shower (which was only used once in the last three years), and we chatted about Waterford and life for over an hour. Then, continuing on New York hospitality, his volunteer firefighting colleague, David showed up.
The conversations continued then he took me for a spin around Waterford the up to his place where I met his wife, kids, brother and neighbours. I did not have to slap any more mosquitos after using some of their repellant, and we sat around the backyard table and had refreshing drinks, cold cut sandwiches and chicken cordon bleu. At the end of the night, David helped me set up my tent by the light of his truck headlights and he gave me permission to use the firestation's bathroom all night.
This New York travelling by bike can become addictive! Thanks everyone!
- "Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things." Frank A. Clark
-Frank Pollari
PS: Happy birthday to my big brother Angelo
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