5000 km and counting

From the beginning of our hike this was always going to be a -halfway- , 3500km post.

A moment to reflect on the journey we have had, and one to look forward to what is in front of us.

I’ve discovered years ago that to me, (Mark) being on social media or spending time on your phone is a complete waste of time. And writing posts requires just that.

One of the things I love about hiking is that you only have the gear you carry and that you only need to (or can) worry about basic things as food, water and a place to sleep.

With my phone tucked away very deep in my pack (I want to keep it as a backup should Jolanda’s run out of battery) I switch the thing on as little as possible:)

This is why became a 5000km post: it took me long before I took time (wanted) to write something.

Free from distraction we have enjoyed the peace and quiet we are looking for. Meeting people, sharing stories, meals and drinks.

With my backpack on, my world is no bigger than the 30 kilometers we move in a day, and no bigger than the friendly people we meet. I think this way of life should be beneficial to all who think that, for example, Romania is a scary place (spoiler; it is not. We have met some of the most kind, openhearted people and can’t wait to return)

5000 kilometers… It was allways going to be a big milestone. Longer than any of the American thru-hikes, we are now a member of a very select group that hiked more than that in one go.

In roughly 40 days we will reach 6000; the point of no return. From there Istanbul is not a matter of if, but when.

Normal life is going to be boring. We’ll find a solution for that in due time.

For now we hike the stunning autumn forrests of Romania, looking forward to the beauty of Serbia and the language challenges that come with that.

Looking back, the hardest thing we had to do, is to actually go. To leave the safe bubble of our home, work, friends and familly. To politely ignore anyone that raised questions about safety, money and work.

We are free, we are nobody other than a pair of hikers you see in your town. We come in peace and we will leave with nothing other than memories. We are on our way to Istanbul and when we get there, both fysically and mentally, we will be as fit as we have ever been.

Take a hike. This is often said to make someone go away.

I on the other hand think it’s a kind and brilliant advice:)

From the rugged slippery track in Ireland, the boring cycle path in England, the beautifull sping blossems in the Netherland, the hills of Germany, the hospitallity of Austria, the stunning views on the SNP in Slovakia and the people of Romania; the last 7 months have been a blast and we can’t wait to see what will happen in the next 4 months!