The end of the beginning: Santiago de Compostela
This Sunday I walked into Santiago de Compostela. Almost half a year after my departure from Leiden in the Netherlands on September 11. The first goal of my journey is complete. For now, noblog with experiences, reflections or thoughts. I just want to thank everyone who has helped me get this far.
Firstly, I want to thank all the people who have been so kind and trusting to open up their house to me and offer me a place to sleep and a seat at their diner table. Secondly, all the people that have supported me by donating money to my cause. Although I spend most of my nights as a guest in somebody's house I do have expenses, and without your generous donations I would not have been able to continue as I have. The continued support of my sponsors is invaluable. Thirdly, all the people that have supported me with heartwarming messages, retweets and likes on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Couchsurfing, LinkedIn and by email. Some of you have been friends for a long time, others I have yet to meet, but the support is in all cases very welcome. They lighten the weight of my backpack and bring light in the more clouded moments of my journey. Of course also the social media themselves, because without the tools, the job cannot be done. Further, the people from the press that help me by informing the world of my project.
A special thanks goes out to my webdesigner Thirdwave for their tireless work on this website and to the Navigauteurs and Web Moshi Moshi, who translate my words in all the languages of the countries I traveled and will be traveling through. A special thanks also for BAS energie, Avery Dennison and Jos Krijnen for some of the equipment without which my twalk would not be possible, and Ingrid Tappin for advice on the social media inns and outs. And last, but definitely not least, my family: my brothers and my sisters in law, my step parents, my nephew and my nieces. And above all my parents: you have helped me with a bit of everything of the above: mental support, financial aid and advice. I know you sometimes rather had me near, and I miss you too, but I am happy and grateful that you have always given me the trust and freedom to make my own decisions. Your love and support give me the strength to push on, always!
Oh, and of course I should not forget Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. She put me up to this, so in a way, without her, I would not have the pleasure of thanking you all in the first place. Disagreement has never been so fruitful. Thank you!