The Idiot spent the first week of spring on the wintry snow-struck East Coast recruiting candidates for his upcoming MedTrek around Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Although the project tempted many potential participants, the only sure bets are a statue in Massachusetts, a one-year old boy in Maine, a cow in Vermont and Liz Chapin, who MedTrekked with the Idiot through Turkey to the Syria border.
Here are some people who almost certainly won’t join The Idiot in Cyprus between April 16 and June 8.
In Virginia, his 102-year-old friend Elliott Thompson (left) wasn’t sure he could still walk twenty miles a day and his Stanford classmate Bil Barber (seated) claimed he still had a day job. (Photo: Karen Chambers)
In Boston, The Idiot’s daughter Sonia and her boyfriend Jean, who live in London, contended that “it’s too hot in Cyprus for us. We like snow!” (Photo: Liz Chapin)
In Gloucester, Massachusetts, two salty dogs (Bill Chapin and Ron Gilson) won’t come to the Mediterranean because they’re used to “the Atlantic, a REAL ocean.” (Photo: Liz Chapin)
In South Berwick, Maine, 9-year-old Seamus Henry said he didn’t own a suitcase but gave The Idiot a necklace “so I’ll feel like I’m with you.” (Photo: Liz Chapin)
In Burlington, Vermont, Monica McClure (second from right) said she couldn’t miss her college graduation.
The Idiot took these rejections in stride and is glad to welcome the following strong and sturdy souls on his MedTrek around Cyprus.
In Salem, Massachusetts, statuesque Roger Conant, who founded the bewitched city in the early 1600s, told The Idiot that “the sooner I get to Cyprus the better. I can’t stand these long winters any more.” (Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)
In South Berwick, Maine, Declan Henry, who celebrated his first birthday on March 20, made The Idiot’s week by telling him that “I’ll put my new car on autopilot and leave for Cyprus on April Idiot’s Day.”
At Shelburne Farms, south of Burlington, Vermont, this Brown Swiss cow told The Idiot that “I’m tired of giving milk to make cheddar cheese — get me out of here!” (Photo: Sonia Stratte-McClure)
In Vermont, veteran MedTrekker Liz Chapin bids farewell to spring lambs and prepares to head to Cyprus.
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