Sunday 3 June 2012

From Barcelona to Tehran: Day 33


Day 33: Hard-working Beetles or Cannibal Grasshoppers; From Astakos to Agios Vasileious in Greece

June 1, 2012; Distance covered today: 101 Km; Total: 2366 Km

It was a very humid night. Regardless, everything else went well. 

first thing in the morning, I had 9 Km of climbing. It was very hot so it was a little challenging at the beginning, but when I saw some beetles working so hard trying to roll their food into their nest, I got encouraged. They were sort of funny too. They would roll the food using their strong hind legs.

Then, on the same road, I saw some grasshoppers, or I think they were grasshoppers, lining on the side of the road, lots of them. First, I was wondering why they like to be on the side of the road instead of in the bush where the food is. My question was answered in a few minutes when I saw them feeding on the other grasshopper’s carcasses who had been run over by cars! 
Cannibal grasshoppers

"Oh! My cousin's just run over; there it goes my breakfast".

I thought about these grasshoppers a lot, for the rest of the day. They wait on the side of the road until one of them is run over by a car so that they could eat it?! I was wondering if some of us, human beings, act somehow the same toward our fellow human beings in a rather similar situation. In a situation where we take advantage of other people’s financial demise, for example, in a short run, oblivious to the fact that WE, ourselves, might be the next person to go down. I might be wrong. I couldn’t find cases. Do you? Let me know.

I passed though some really poor areas in Greece. It was a replica of the villages in the north of Iran; narrow roads with no lining or shoulders, deserted half built houses on the side of the road, local market where farmers can sell their stuff, etc. I then reached to Rio where I had to cross a fantastic looking bridge. It was really amazing. 
Finally some Nice View
Beautiful Coastline
The View of the Bridge and the town from afar
The Bridge

After the bridge, I biked for another 20 Km to get to a campground by the beach. I checked in, had a shower, cooked dinner (Spaghetti as usual), and went to bed.

4 comments:

  1. As mush as I like your philosophical view, I am getting worried about you. You have much more interesting things to think about rather than insects. (JK)
    Have fun
    Peyman

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peymani,
      More interesting than observing the nature? Maybe I could watch American Idol or bachelor, or I might teach stuff like, your vs. you're.
      Maybe YOU could find something more interesting than reading my blog. Haha. I miss you buddy. We should do some white water rafting together again.

      Delete
  2. Mansoor khan, when you get back we make a "roches roll shit" party. let see who wins. miss you bro.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arashi,
      You know that I would never say "no" to your or
      Sohrab's party no matter what we roll, dice or shit. Count me in.
      Miss you too buddy.

      Delete