Emerging Consequences

This time we chose a walk that took us through a scenic route along the Oude Maas, click here for a look. Instead of starting at end point and walking towards home where we ensure a quick meal and immediate collapse in front of the TV for a good film, we walked from home to destination and the tram back.

The aches were intense and I was starting to suspect the appearance of blisters (luckily upon arrival at home my feet were blister free). I also underestimated the shining sun and warm appearance as a result, my partners shoes broke and I was uncomfortably cold towards the end of the walk. If you ever do find yourself on a long walk, it helps have a blister kit, muesli bars, water etc. Check the weather before you head out.

In South Sudan, conflict tends to occur during the dry season. Sometime around end of November and up until end of February-beginning of March. Click here for an idea of South Sudanese climate. When the rains come, most roads become impassable and therefore difficult to transport goods as well as the movement of people. This is however a two edged sword for although conflict declines, the current rains are causing much more difficulty.

Although one of the least pleasant walks we did, getting home brought back pleasant news for I received my confirmation of a place on the Four Day March event!! Very exciting, coupled with the lack of accidents, all appears to be in order and I impatiently await the next walk, this time its 40 km.

Training: 6th of April 2014 - 30km by the Rotte River

Third training week. This day we walked 30 km along the Rotte. Please click here to view.

A route took us along the river, through interesting trails and fields. A rich splash of bright colors and multiple scents. Springs signature arrival. It wasn't a smooth walk and half way through our muscles put up a continuous protest.



Of particular interest was our walk through the Green Heart Netherlands, a sight definitely worth seeing, characterized by its rural nature even though its right in the city. That's one thing about the Netherlands, your really never quite far away from the farms.

First Encounter

Last year, Rob Visser and I went to see the arrivals of the Four Day Marches, an event that takes place in Nijmegen, The Netherlands every year. Originally from military training marches, it is a walk spanning four days at a distance of 50 Kilometers a day. 200 Kilometers in all.

There were bands performing, DJ cars blasting the latest tunes. There was also a fascinating array of costumes, reaffirming the fact that Dutch people dress up when the slightest opportunity presents itself.

There were also military personnel from various countries as well as company representatives; Albert Heijn, a Dutch supermarket chain, was there with their banners, the ING bank, the National post office and many others.

People of all ages and all walks of life were present. I couldn't help but think of a similar ordeal somewhere much farther away under more enduring circumstances.

From the mid fifties, Southern Sudanese have been at war, a very long and bloody war that left millions of its people killed, displaced and forced to seek greener pastures. In a land with zero infrastructure, many walked for days, weeks, months under dire circumstances. They walked to Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Central African Republic, Congo and Sudan. Many pershed in the war, some were born on the way at the mercy of the elements.

My father was in the army at the time. He walked from Upper Nile through the swamps of the Sudd and into Congo, trading ivory for arms, arms that can be used to fight this war of independence that we were finally able to achieve in 2011!

I want to walk for all who were forced to to walk as a result of this war. I train and when I walk, I want to remember them and the determination within them to find a better place for them and their loved ones.

I did not walk like my people did, I was lucky enough to have been spared this ordeal, but as I walk and think of them including those forced to walk again in this recent conflict, I will be blogging my journey. The sights and scenes, random in their occurrence, beautifully in their appearance nourish my vision every step of the way, to share with you.