my road 9
IX.) My Road – From the Road – A Village Named Unite
Walking across my grandfather’s field into the forest was truly a wonderful place to begin this journey. I have been traveling alone for a number of days. So far I have found very suitable places to take water breaks, listen to the birds and other small forest animals, with a bit of sun shining on my face. It has been very peaceful. Being alone has given me a chance to realign all of my senses.
Living in the city with all of its activity, friends, family, and responsibilities often overwhelmed me. All of these things together acted as tiny little voices that slowly drown out the murmur of mine. As my senses realign they are tuning to the sound of my own voice. When I wandered into the thick forest without a map it required me to have my senses about me in order to survive even that very first night.
I am now not far from the first village I will encounter on this journey. I know this because I have been to this place before. It is a small village I visited almost exactly one year ago. Of all the places I have traveled to and visited before it has already gained a special place in my heart because the people who live there are so welcoming. The people who live in this village are very idealistic. They are also very self motivated and believe in taking responsibility for their own actions. They are an extraordinarily healthy group of people mainly because they ride bicycles. In fact, there are no cars, or any other way of getting around besides bicycles in this town. They are a hardy lot; riding a bike all year is no easy task especially considering the harsh winters. I’m really excited to visit this place again because I know all of these people will provide me with great encouragement when I explain to them where I am headed to next.
Although it seems like there has been so much bad news over the last few years in the world at large I have heard that this town is doing very well and is in fact growing at a rapid rate. I can’t wait to see the changes that have taken place in this small corner of the world since I was there last year.
I am also especially excited to garner my cameras and do some portraiture work of the new people I will meet. I will not be able to stay long in this place because I have some vast distances to cover before winter hits and just today I felt the first real hints of fall.
My supply levels are good and will be just right for the five days of travel I have until I reach this little village of wonderful people – a town with an equally wonderful name, a place called – Unite.