DÉTENTE DANS LE JARDIN.

This morning there was nothing major on my plate. My initial plan was to sleep in and catch up on rest. I awoke around eight with beaucoup d'énergie. The morning was spent working on TEFL assignments, and I am incredibly close to being done with the online portion of this class. After my work session this morning, all that remains is my final project. This entails three consecutive lesson plans, each lasting for a sixty minutes class period. Each day must correspond and build off the previous. I have several more days to complete this assignment, and it shall be perfected. Many cups of coffee later and some avocado toast, I rode to the nearest bike shop. 

They did some routine maintenance and ensured that everything was spick and span. It feels fantastic when the experts say that everything is functional. The guys at the shop also informed me of the most reliable routes to take for my departure from Boise. Now lunch was on my mind. I made my way across the street and secured a table outside at an upscale eatery. The chicken salad was delicious, and I used an IPA to wash it down. On my way out, an older gentleman asked about my travels. After explaining my story, he immediately reached for his wallet. I ensured him that money was no issue during this excursion. He was persistent and stated that he had no use for it. Just like that, I was twenty dollars richer. This is the third time a random stranger has given me money. I am starting to become a genuine homeless person. 

The next item on my agenda was a free acupuncture appointment. I dropped my bike off at home base, and Mark took us downtown for our Rendez-Vous. First, we dropped into an outdoorsy store nearby, and I grabbed a few odds and ends. My list included new insulated water bottles, a small backpack, a sleeping bag liner, and a water bottle holder. It was quite a happy haul. After securing the supplies, we arrived at our appointment. This acupuncture thing was a brand-new experience for me. Never before had I willingly allowed someone put needles into my body. Some of the stabs were smooth, while others were quite distressful. It was a sensation that I had never felt before. 

My targeted pain area was my back and shoulders due to my daily biking posture. I lay on my stomach, and she poked me all along my spine and several shoulder spots. The presence of the needles created a lightness in the area. When you pair that with the mellow music that they play, you are surely submitting to your slumber. After the session, I felt great, but many people claim that the effects are enhanced over time. I suppose we shall see. Mark and I returned to his house and picked up Ashalome, who had graciously prepared snacks and dinner for the evening. 

Our next stop was the Boise Botanical Garden for some live entertainment. The garden was lovely and bursting with beauty. There were flowers, sculptures, and my personal favorite, a koi pond. Unfortunately, the koi were being stubborn models this evening. We sat back and enjoyed our grub as our night's entertainment commenced. I consumed various meats and cheeses, a chicken sandwich, and several glasses of wine. It was a relaxing evening in the garden. We returned home and sat outside on the porch, and I typed up my day. These days in the big city are not too adventurous, but they are a necessary pause. Tomorrow, I return to the road.