True, I have my moments of worry that my body will at some point throw the towel and say, the hell with it, I am not taking a single step more. I have learned to listen to it better though and the fear ofeing overtaken by winter does not prevent me from taking a day of to rest and recover. I am determined to make it.
Read MoreWithout the internet I would never have made it through the north of France. Without internet or money that is, because hospitality can always be bought of course. Monasteries are abandoned or destroyed, the people are distant and cheap hostels too dispersed to be of use for the traveler by foot.
Read MoreIt feels good to be out on the road again. The past five days in Lille were fine and I had a good time with the people I met at the Oz, but with this pace I will never make it. In the Netherlands we have a saying that 'fish and guests both stay fresh for three days max'.
Read MorePeople are strange, when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly, when you're alone
Women seem wicked, when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven, when you're alone
Jim Morrison knew what he was talking about.
The coffee is good. But that's the only thing that's good. For the first time since my departure the thought that I might not make it crosses my mind. I had problems finding places to stay in Belgium, but that was nothing compared to France.
Read MoreThe Low Countries, or Les Pays-Bas, there can't be a name more suitable and it must be of French origin. The moment I cross the border from Begium to France the land rises.
Read MoreIt is Monday, September 20, which means I left Leiden more than a week ago. My head is finally starting to get some understanding of the consequences of my decision to give up my job, my house and everyone I know and [..]
Read MoreI leave Breda and Marijke at 1030 in the morning. In one of my boots I find a card of St. Benoit, the pilgrim Marijke's husband named himself after when he chose to be baptized. He did this at an age at which most Christians have forgotten all about [..]
Read MoreDay two and it is raining. I hate the cold of winter, but rain and wind suck just the same. I'm an outdoor kind of guy, but only when the sun is shining. What the hell was I thinking when I decided to leave during autumn?
Read MoreOuch, that is how my first day of twalking begins. I am expected at the Zijlpoort at twelve o'clock for a photo shoot with the Leidsch Dagblad, the local Leiden newspaper.
Read MoreI've done it before, lots of times: getting on stage at my own party so I hardly speak to anybody. Of course, hosting a party in general means you are too busy organising to actually entertain your guests in conversation.
Read MoreMajesty, On September 11th, I am going on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Rome and Jerusalem. I will start in Leiden in the Netherlands and I am set on walking every metre. I am writing to you because your Christmas speech last year was the motivation for this undertaking.
Read MoreIt’s funny how songwriting can change with circumstances and decisions. I like all kinds of subjects, but I guess my main concern has always been the heartaches that looking for that special someone brought about.
Read MoreTwo weeks ago I got a phone call from National Geographic telling me I was one in five contestants to reach the finals of their Adventurers Wanted competition [..]
Read MoreThere are some songs you write that gain new meaning as time goes by. This is one of them. It was actually written by the guitarist of the Matt Jacobs Band, Thijs Jacobs, who also came up with the title, but I wrote the lyrics. The title of course, speaks for itself.
Read MoreI am the little voice inside your head that goes “What if…?”, or even better “What if I…?”. No, I’m not THE actual voice inside your head, but if I am to be anything to you, I should be at least one answer to that question.
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