09.12.: Mineiros / Goiás
Imechapishwa: 09.12.2018
Jiandikishe kwa Jarida
09.12.:
I have crossed the border to another state again. And not only that, I am now only 3 hours away from Central European Winter Time.
And once again, all guardian angels were watching over me.
It is a beautiful route. It takes me through orchards, small meadows with trees, manageable fields that are manually cultivated, small simple houses with chickens and vegetable gardens.
The sky is doing its best to make up for the hardships of two days ago. Sometimes sunny, sometimes cloudy. And a vast sky stretches over the wide land.
Not strip mining, but naturally grown
We are steadily climbing uphill, and soon the inclines will become serious and two-lane. The higher we go, the more pleasant the breeze becomes. Once the sun is gone, it is already pleasantly cool.
The road conditions have improved compared to the day before yesterday. But will it stay that way?
Now we are driving on a plateau, and there is even a possibility to leave the road for a photo because there is a large space to pull over. Otherwise, it is usually quite difficult because the hard shoulder has a drop of at least 5 cm that needs to be overcome when merging back onto the main lane. I have to approach it almost at a 90-degree angle so that the front wheel does not scrape along it. So better not take any risks and do without photos.
Several trucks have already fallen victim to this treacherous drop. The 364 is not wide in any case. Truck drivers have to drive attentively and stay in their lane. Otherwise, they come into contact with the side mirrors of oncoming trucks. Or, even worse, they end up on the hard shoulder and the trailer tips over.
Only one more hour before Mineiros and my companions are needed. They are still on board. One - a Christmas angel - is in the logbook and looks very worn out. The other, in the form of a stone found on the Danish beach, is connected to the hinge of the rear seat.
The road conditions have become very treacherous since we entered Goiás. There are kilometers-long stretches that are not dangerous. I drive faster and admire the landscape.
Then suddenly, without warning, the ruts and bumps are there, and there are really deep potholes. They are not discreetly located at the edge of the road, but simply everywhere.
I have been warned for several kilometers and no longer have eyes for the landscape. And yet it happens: I hit a pothole with such depth that I feel the edge of the front wheel rim. It's over now! The front tire cannot be saved anymore. I slow down and realize that the handling has not changed. Everything is fine!!!
I drive until I find a 'soft' spot where I can safely stop. And then I see that the two companions have really had their work cut out for them. Due to the impact, the glove compartment flew open. Smartie and wallet were just about to fall onto the road. Nothing could have saved them because the oncoming traffic would have run them over without hesitation. Smartie gone, one credit card gone, and money gone.
But no. They both sent me the inspiration to stop NOW.
Mineiros has 50,000 residents and is 760 m above sea level. Due to the huge vegetable plantations that stretch for kilometers in width to the horizon, it can be assumed that the city earns its money with agricultural products. I see plows that are probably 50 to 100 meters wide.
When entering the outskirts of the city, I am reminded that it is the weekend. The stereo systems are going all out again, as are the tuned motorcycles that race through the suburban settlements with a loud noise.
My hotel is on the main street of the town. But my room is far away from it, and the air conditioning only makes a faint hum. Peace surrounds me.
Firm resolution for tomorrow: Eyes open in traffic!
Jiandikishe kwa Jarida
Jibu
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