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DAY 34: Yenişakran – Aliağa (Turkey)

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On Day 34, I woke up at 5:30 AM. It looks like a strong tailwind from the north will be blowing again today. I plan to reach Menemen, though I haven’t settled on a place to stay yet. There are a few small towns along the way, but lodging options are limited. Embracing the unexpected is one of the true joys of travel. Whatever path I choose, I’ll trust that it will turn out for the best. May the world be at peace today… Breakfast at 7:00 AM. At 7:40 AM, I set off just as the sun rose, heading south on the D550. Another clear, sunny day. The wind is cold, but the sunlight feels warm. Living, running, traveling… I’m truly living the best life! Aliağa itself is a resort town along the Aegean Sea, with a fair number of shops and places to stay. f Once past the city center, the atmosphere shifts completely. With cement factories and quarries nearby, dust swirls in the wind. The road shoulder is covered in sand, which causes my tires to sink and makes the handlebars hard to control. Finding a...
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DAY 33: Bergama – Yenişakran (Turkey)

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On Day 33, I woke up at 5:30 AM. It was the coldest morning of the entire trip so far. I suppose the clear skies are causing the temperature to drop due to radiative cooling. I’m grateful that it hasn’t rained for a while. Time to bundle up and get moving. Today’s destination is Yenişakran, about 30 kilometers away. Since I generally only run during daylight hours, shorter days mean I can’t cover as much distance. At exactly 8:00 AM, I thanked Ayhan and his mother, and set off once again. Thank you for hosting me for the past three days! And a big thank you to Kaori-san for connecting us! Another wonderful memory to add to the collection. I descended a steep, cobblestone slope, crossed a bridge, and headed into the town center. It’s cold, but the sky is perfectly clear—a refreshing morning! Time to run! After transitioning from the D240 to the D550 highway and running for about 10 kilometers, I was joined by a cyclist from Poland named Maciej. He left Poland two and a half months ago, ...
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DAY 32: Bergama 2 (Turkey)

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My second day off in Bergama. I plan to head south tomorrow. Woke up at 6:00 AM. When I take a day off, I tend to disrupt my rhythm—eating or drinking too much, or staying up too late. I wish I could still adapt as flexibly as I did when I was younger, but that’s not so easy these days. Trying to force things only leads to stress. It’s best not to push too hard. Today, I’m planning to visit a bicycle shop in Bergama for some maintenance on my bike (my "buggy"). There are chickens in the garden, and I can harvest various fruits—grapes, lemons, tangerines, and more—right from the home garden. Had a late breakfast at a café in town. It came with a boiled egg. Visited a bicycle shop and bought some spare spokes. At another bike repair shop, I had my spokes adjusted (trued). The man handling the job is clearly a seasoned veteran; every step of his work is almost like art. This place feels like a dedicated shop for bicycle and motorcycle repairs. I imagine this shop has supported t...
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DAY 31: Bergama (Turkey)

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Day 31 began with a 5:30 AM wake-up call. I had gone to bed a little past 11:00 PM the night before. I am currently in a quiet settlement in Bergama, with the town’s Acropolis looming just behind it. The only sound to be heard is the rain. Since Ayhan-san had some personal business to attend to this morning, I spent the first half of the day with Mustafa-san from a local FM radio station, who kindly looked after me. I set off before 8:00 AM and arrived at "BEST FM BERGAM" by 8:30 AM. I had breakfast with Mustafa-san on the patio, and we spent the morning chatting. The head of the Bergama Sports Association even stopped by to say hello. It was reassuring to find that he understood just how dangerous it is to continue traveling along the national highway on foot. And, once again, I enjoyed a waffle. It was topped with strawberries, bananas, pistachio cream, and chocolate sauce. A "waffle bowl," perhaps? I’m definitely leaning toward an excess of sugar today. People we...
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DAY 30: Dikili – Bergama (Turkey)]

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DAY 30, woke up at 4:30 AM. It’s a warm morning, but rain seems unavoidable today. It appears that low-lying areas here are prone to flooding. Turkey is a country with many people who are fond of Japan; it’s heartening to see how quickly people’s faces light up with a smile when I reveal that I’m Japanese. I would be happy if I could contribute to a mission of sorts—sharing what Japan is like today with the people of Turkey, and sharing what Turkey is like today with the people of Japan. While I claim to be indifferent to food and sightseeing, the truth is that if I were to try every delicious dish or visit every tourist spot along this journey, I wouldn’t have time for anything else. Since I am enjoying the very process of traveling over an extended period, my goal is more about getting a sense of what life is like for the people who live in these places. Before dawn, I take a moment to reset my mindset as I prepare to set off. Amidst a mix of anxiety and anticipation, I strive to cle...
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DAY 29: Küçükköy – Dikili (Turkey)

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DAY 29, 5:00 AM. I can hear the sound of rain outside my window. Thankfully, many people follow my journey online every single day. I’ve been receiving messages of support and comments—something that wouldn’t have been possible back in the analog era of the Showa period. Today’s route takes me from Küçükköy to Dikili, a distance of about 30 kilometers. This area is a summer beach resort, but it’s quite quiet during the off-season. Rain gear is a must again today. According to my schedule, a month from today I should be finishing my journey in Antalya and heading back to Istanbul by plane. I’m set to fly back to Osaka on a late-night flight on December 3rd. Whether I end up laughing or crying, there’s only one month left. I’d be happy if I could keep smiling every single day! Started at 7:45 AM. Shortly after, Mustafa—whom I was supposed to meet yesterday—came by my accommodation this morning. I’m being interviewed for a radio program. After leaving the D550 highway near Altınova, I’m h...
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