Putting our new MBAs to waste: Eastern Europe by bike

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We graduated.

We sold our house.

We said goodbye to our friends.

We felt a little sad, so... before we head back to California to work, we decided to go on a little trip through Eastern Europe on bikes. AND we're dragging you with us... from Turkey to Austria via this blog (your escape route is the unsubscribe link). For those who don't really want to work at work....keep posted for our adventures.

Stay tuned for...

-number of miles ridden in a day
-number of times we're asked to buy a carpet, toga, Sound of Music memorabilia, etc
-number of catcalls
-number of Yodels
-number of times we're chased out of town after an "ugly American oopsie"
-number of NON-BIKERS we see wearing bike shorts in Europe
-various "Mentos/Freshmaker" moments
-amount of cabbage eaten in a day
-number of pounds lost

-Camping in Macedonia?
-Flat Tires in Slovakia?
-Hitchhiking in Austria?
-Bar-hopping in Albania?
-Laundry in Bulgaria?

-Forest getting sunburned in countries without sun
-Anne overdosing on Turkish Delight
-Forest lugging 40 lbs of gear over the Alps
-Anne drafting off him
-Forest wearing lederhosen
-Anne "discovering the hooka" and retiring on

the Caspian sea

...2000+ miles of fun to share!


First though, a few shout-outs before we leave...

To the Class of 2007 Duke MBAs... Congratulations on Graduating!
To Paul and Sterling... Thanks for letting us stay in your mansion before we left (we don't think we broke anything)
To Jason, Becca, Joanna, Andy, Matt and Allison... Thanks for helping us almost break stuff at Paul and Sterlings- and for giving us a good sendoff.

To Julia Baubkus- Schoene Gewunschen zu ihre Hochzeit. Ich werde bei dir in Gedaenke sein!!! 7-7-07
To Alex and Joany Ellsworth- Best wishes on your wedding. I'm sorry we'll miss it 7-21-07
To Preeti, Darren, Jim, Mike, and crew- Have fun at the altar!!
To Hyun, Linh, Chris and my cousins! Jill&Eric.... If you insist on having your babies before we get back, please send us a photo so we can see/(perhaps promote?) your baby
To Heather, Janel, Greg, etc- Congratulations on Graduating (without becoming a money-grubbing MBA)
To Dawn, Kate, Amber, and William- Congrats on the job/school news. We're glad someone will be able to feed us when get fired from the "real world".

To whoever else we forgot...we'll catch you next time!

More from Turkey...

A and F

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Comments

[Sara Whitaker]

things to look for...
Annie and Forest, Congrats on Graduation. You both did it! Be mindful of men carrying loaves of bread on Austrian buses and always carry with you the ability to speak jibberish on the spot. Say hello to the alps and stay away from the white witch. Love to you both. God bless.

[Fedr]

go for it!
hey guys, well done ... I look forward to reading your blog ... and sure hoping you'll make it through Slovenia (and that is not Slovakia, as a certain Texan thinks!)! Gregor

[Robin]

sounds fun
Wow guys here you go again huh! I would be jealous except that we're gonna have so much fun this weekend in Tahoe and you're gonna miss it :)

[warnerkallus]

on second thought
Can we skip the Leiderhausen photos? Its just that some things can't be unseen.

[Nancy Kallus]

Hi
Thanks for quick blog. Cute pics except of me. I'll email photos to you soon. Enjoy Turkey. I'm drooling.

[Lorelei O'Hagan]

Woa!!!
Awesome. This is so exciting. Very happy to hear from you guys and congrats... Yes, I'll be following your crazy asses around on bikes and then will really look forward to hearing what you are doing next year in SF. I'm in NY - gradschool

[Laura]

Pedal faster!
Hi guys - Scott and I will be eagerly reading your blog updates, living vicariously through our favorite bikers! Can't wait to hear about all your adventures! Good luck, be safe, and let the fun begin!

[Niki]

have fun!
Congrats on graduating! Can't believe that much time has passed since your first little biking adventure. Check out Google maps http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl for directions from Durham to Athens. Unfortunately, there is no advice on how to transport those bikes.... Have fun! Niki (from NYC)

[JB]

Good Luck
Love the title! Good luck on the trip. Sounds exciting and exhausting at the same time. The few places I've been in Eastern Europe (Prague and Budapest) were amazing. Cabbage and Forest in lederhossen sound scary but worth posting. I head to Asia tomorrow for 3 months of backpacking ending in Australia. Take care and be safe guys. -John

[Kate]

girl shoes
Wow Annie! Are you wearing girl shoes in the graduation photo?

[Vitaly & Jen]

We'll Race you
Hey, guys! By our calculations you should have started your trip by now. How is everything going in the sunny Turkey? Thank you for letting us get a head start, we are just about to complete NY state part of our trip. I feel in much better shape now and am ready to race :) Synchronize your watches, adjust for time zone, altitude, local alcohol consumption customs, etc. get set, go!! See you at the cyber finish line. Vitaly

[Sapan]

Belly Dancing, Turkish Delights, Hooka...
I suppose after enjoying an evening of Belly Dancing, Turkish Delights, Hooka,...(and things best not written), you guys will need a lot of motivation to get out and bike. We are cheering on for you guys from here. While you are out there biking, Aadit is keeping up with u guys and putting on all those miles on his trike here in Durham.

[Sarah]

Jealous
Still in Durham...still moving things around 3 different states...and jealous! I am cheering for you both and hoping that you get through Turkey better than I did in 1997 (can't write the story here)! Thanks for being such great friends...I will stay tuned and look forward to a reunion in Durham or CA (and, of course, you are both always welcome in Cincinnati!).

[Noi]

Hey guys!
Hey you two! I had no idea about this site til I saw a link on another blog titled "Two Idiots on Bikes". I was intrigued, clicked the link, and here you are ANNE AND FOREST! :) Anyway, wasting time at work til I can safely leave. :) I got a job at Microsoft in Charlotte. It's going ok, but it's well...it's just work. :-P Also, in other news, this summer I got married, turned 30.. Lots of milestones. Anyhow, hope you are doing well. I'm going to link to you guys from my own blog. I'm at http://noiliang.wordpress.com Have a great time and I'll check your guys' posts to see what you're up to! Noi