ok. so Team Orange has the 9pm to 3 am shift again from outside Krakow headed toward Warsaw, Poland on a narrow, truck infested, two-lane road under construction.in heavy rain. All the elements of "Murphy's Law" in place (something like, "what can go wrong, probably will ).

Don't get me wrong, I relish facing the bully, be it human or otherwise. This was an otherwise.

i enjoyed my 10 miler with my friend, Fubio cycling beside me, harmonizing Italian opera, American showtunes, Christmas caroles and scat ( you know, Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong ), while also being accompanied by a young local Polish lad. I understood very little of what he said ,but I did get the '"RUNNING IS BEAUTIFUL" remark. Small favors mean a lot.

ok , cut to the chase.

We got to our Warsaw hotel digs at around 4:30 am. the lady at desk gives my roommate, Sunil and me two door keys. Neither worked. so I lay on hall floor while Sunil goes back for two new keys. You got it! neither worked. My Sainted Mother!! Enough is enough. After sweating out all humility we begin to froth like "who let the dog out'" from the mouth. We begin pushing mightily on the door, swiping our cards every direction to no avail. We put our back against the door, like yeah, this thing is really going to magically just open from mighty muscles of two scrawny runners, one young and me, the old fart.

well, a little lady, finally comes idling down the dark hall with key in hand, looking like she had just eaten sour grapes or drunk water from the toilet ( uh, oh )

With a turn of the key we are in . She tries our cards and, of course, you know it, the door lock opens.

Hey, Team Orange takes each step in stride, including the doors that don't open. "Miles of Trials, Trial of Miles"......Life

Thanks team- Sunil, Brynn, Sean, Ingmar ( our wonderful driver from Germany ) and support team keeping us safe.

We are truly global messengers. You, too in your own way, in your own community. Turn the key, if it doesn't work, try another, for good!

Peace and blessings..