On the move (into Winter)

First session at the physical therapy center today.

Located in a small street basement, the place has nothing to do with a clinic, even less with a hospital. It's a very social facility where people of all age and shape join different stations and perform various exercises in a relaxing atmosphere. Contact with the therapists there is absolutely casual and we chat friendly while downtempo tunes by Bonobo and the likes are played in the background. It made such a nice impression on me that I look forward to the next session, where I will receive further treatment to facilitate the recovery of my shoulder.

Mornings and evenings are getting chilly, even here in sweet South. Winter is crawling on us; I chose to run into it.

The Nice-Cannes Marathon is in less than three weeks now, and I have had great sensations throughout the increasing mileage and intensity over the last ten days. Among which a 32k logged with three running friends, mapping the last part of the course and building mental fitness for race day. I will continue to work on this part, with a 28k from Nice already scheduled tomorrow, at 7.45 am. It will probably be my last long run before the marathon, as the important period of taper approaches.

There will be just enough time to enjoy a shower and some food for my buddy Hugo and I are taking a little road trip to Italy over the next couple of days. We will head to the marvellous cliff-hanging villages of Cinque Terre in his newly bought old edition Austin Mini, which should make the trip even more fun.

Now down to some news I have been itching to share for a while, but I wanted to wait till it became a sure thing. It looks a lot like it now.

There's a plane ticket on my desk, dated January 6th, that will take me from Stockholm to Katmandu. After spending Christmas with my family and new year in Sweden with Frida, I will fly to Nepal and work there as a photojournalist, dealing with various assignments from newspapers and magazines. I am really excited because I know this will be an entirely new dimension of experience, a far cry from everything I have done so far.

Of course, I have already spotted some gnarly trails to explore there, and the mighty Himalaya rank on top of the list. But before I leave, a meeting with renowned photographer and Nepal expert Eric Valli seems like a wise move. Take some time to observe his truly fantastic work.

Now off to a cinnamon oatmeal and some good sleep!

If you're looking forward to the post on Italy, read this and that from my first visit to Cinque Terre, last fall. And stick around.