A few parallels lie between my friend John and I. We are both leaving the stability of a home behind and embarking on a life of travel. We both are being brave or stupid, neither of us is sure yet. We share a love of rocks and making them shine to see the true beauty within.
But there are differences too. John is British; I am an American. John fought in the Gulf War alongside Americans, and I raised kids and worked at a University. John began his journey a couple months ago; mine begins in 25 days. I will be traveling in a truck pulling a 5th wheel trailer, John is alone and his mode of travel is…
Yep, he is biking through Europe. John had sprung the surprise on me this past weekend on our rock forum when he started a contest where he arrived at the home of our mutual rock friend, Adrian, who lives in Bucharest, Romania, and we have to guess how many days and how many miles it took for him to ride there from Calais, France. John is quite the character and a deep thinker and we’ve had many enlightening conversations. But this journey for him has brought him to a deeper meaning of life and the ability to feel totally fulfilled. This wasn’t an easy road to get to this point. He describes it this way:
“As strange as it may seem, and I guess sound – I’ve spoken with the dead, and they too have spoken with me. Given me the inspiration to carry on, to beat the odds, to just get on and do it.
I’ve sat at the roadside and cried. Tears of frustration, fear, exultation and pride. I’ve worried, fretted and panicked.
I am tired, very very tired. Mentally exhausted, physically exhausted – worn out,. broken and repaired. Emotionally I am also exhausted. I have experienced every single emotion in life. In one day I have been through every emotion there is. Just pick one, and I’ll be able to tell you all about it.
I have learned alot about myself. Things even I never knew about myself. Things I have amazed myself with, and things I have disappointed myself with.
I’ve spoken to many people that have looked at me as if I have two heads (hey, maybe I have.) They too have spoken to me. I have heard, listened, but never understood what was being said.
Advise has been given, sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes taken and sometimes ignored.
I’ve shared my food with total strangers. Given food and drink to a lonely tramp. He could neither thank me nor help me, but from my eyes it looked as if his needs were greater than mine. There were other people around that just looked at me with contempt. Frowned at me because I was giving away good food and drink (only water).
I have received, likewise, some of the greatest kindness, hospitality, friendship, and care, that I have so far experienced in my meager lifetime.
There is still more for me to learn. More for me to see, more for me to suffer. I care not for the suffering. Nothing can hurt me apart from myself. Any mistakes made will be mine. I can blame no one for my errors or mistakes. I have the choice. I might make the wrong one occasionally, but that is for me to reflect on.
The world is a great place. It is friendly, caring, and humble. I, most of all am the humblest being on earth. My past life is now far far behind me.”
Really makes me wonder what lies on the road ahead for us…
Here are John and Adrian, in Adrian’s home in Bucharest.
Safe journeys John. Keep in touch.