Training-40km

Enjoying the view.

 This time was a big one although I must say the walk was in fact 38.5 kilometres. It was the farthest I have been and as we approached the end, my feet could not carry me anymore. The route we took can be seen here and the sights and scenes were delightful as always taking us through the Vlietlanden 

I delayed in posting this new endeavor, events in South Sudan had taken a turn from bad to worse and a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. Death is a common occurrence and massacres are taking place within United Nations compounds where civilians sought refuge. See: BBC News on South Sudan and Al Jazeera. 

The excitement, hope and patriotism that I felt when I dipped my finger in the inkpot and placed it on the ''seperation'' option when voting for our independence seems so far away. This new Nation that was starting to grow with endless possibilities is now reduced to rubble, homes abandoned and livelihoods destroyed. So painful and yet more reason to push on and keep blogging my journey and sharing it all with you.


One thing I find very fascinating are Dutch cattle of which the Frisian cows seen here as well as a rather unusual breed called the Highland Cattle were seen. The latter of which resemble a regular cow but with thick furry hides. Mostly brown in color. I asked my partner at the time if these Highland Cattle were part of the Dutch diet, they were not.


Dutch Wildlife

There was a sign that warned visitors to stay at least 25 meters away, this little fellow practically strode past our bench. He seemed quite relaxed on his way to rendezvous with a fellow Highland cow, even the mooing sounded different to what I am accustomed to.

Cows at home

Cattle in South Sudan are very different to their European cousins. This one to the right was taken in Aweil in Northern Bahr El Ghazal. Cattle are very important to some ethnic groups in South Sudan. A source of pride, it also is a source of pain suffering and death when cattle raiding is underway. Personally I say commercialize cattle, it certainly would be a substantive source of income as well as an economic booster to the region.


Frisian cows 

Pulling the ferry back from the other bank.

 Further into the day we had to crossed a canal using a manned ferry. I have to say I had never done this before and my excitement to turn the wheel was dampened by an older man who would not let go of the wheel. It is hard work though. Every time I encounter such technology I cannot help but think of how my country could do with something like this. It brought to mind the incident in Malakal where civilains in their panic to get away from the conflict crowded into the boat ferry and upending it resulting in handreds of deaths, some of which were my extended family, you can read the story here.

Towards the end of the walk, at that time when your mind is zoned out and your feet are on autopilot, we witnessed an accident less that 30 meters in front of us. Some pedestrian walkways also allow bicycles as well as scooters. A lady was jogging and was approached by a scooter from behind, it was one of those moments when a last minute swerve results in both parties heading the same direction. The scooter honked, they swerved and crashed. It was a bit surreal and unexpected so we rushed over and called the ambulance.  I was amazed at how quickly the response was, around 15 minutes or so. The police arrived first, followed by a photographer and then the ambulance. I found the arrival of the photographer to be quite rude. I guess its normal for one to be at the scene here in the Netherlands but I just felt it wasn't right. The lady was lying on the ground covered in her own blood and it was a lot of blood and here' s this guy that walks over and starts snapping away. Perhaps it would have been better if he walked over and asked the lady if she doesn't mind him being there taking photos of her.

Unfortunately our Police response service in South Sudan is very different. We lack the technology and infrastructure. We also lack the expertise, that is understandable in a country as young as South Sudan. There is a lot to learn and change.

An interesting twisted bridge.

Fears

It's 21:00 and we are all gathered in the living room. Rosalinda is about to commence. A Mexican drama series dubbed in Arabic which the whole family used to watch each evening sometimes for months at end. Usually after dinner.

Although a rarity, the scene involves a shootout. The clitter clatter of gunshots, machine guns and flying bullets are overwhelming, a scene and sound that slowly fades to that of a different clatter. A clatter whose sound brings upon me a sense of utter refreshment, cleansing and newness. A sound so familiar and longed for as that of mother natures release, of rain resonating off the zinc roof above my bed, slight whispers of earth smelling cool breeze through the mosquito net. 

I smile only to be jolted back by the stark beep of my alarm summoning a new day, a bright morning and with it the unknown of a new training route.

Sometimes I worry about all this walking. I worry that my feet will not be able to carry me all the way to the finish line on the fourth day. I worry about the post I will make saying I had an injury or so.

Ive never walked these distances before and I fantasize and daydream of running for my life, how it would have panned out. How long would I last under dire straights? But I will never know. These walking shoes shelter from the heat. The snacks in my bag nourish and quench. A blister kit always at hand, and many more but most importantly, the knowledge that there's always a tram, bus, tube or train near.

All the more to think and remember those who didn't and are still on the road. As shared here in http://www.visualnews.com/2014/02/05/long-walk-photographer-documents-sudanese-refugee-crisis-hundreds-shoes/

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.