Back from a very long bicycle ride...

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   ilmdamailyposted 13 years ago

   Hey all!
   
   Not sure how many people remember me...I was a fairly frequent hubber here a few months back...but took some time out to do a lifestyle experiment: riding a bicycle from the west coast of Wales in the UK, all the way down to Spain, without maps, spending virtually no money, and with no knowledge of french or spanish. The aim was to demonstrate - to myself principally, but to anyone else who needs encouragement - that you can do anything (absolutely anything!) if you set your mind to it, regardless of what resources you have available, or where you start from in life. It was - among other things - an experiment in extreme vulnerability. I've always suspected that people are fundamentally good, and so I wanted to put myself on the line to find out... 
   
   It was a hell of an adventure, and unfortunately ended a little sooner than I wanted when I (perhaps unsurprisingly) got myself fantastically ill in Spain - hence my resurfacing here:-) 3,500 kilometres (approximately - my trip computer broke after 850km's lol), several new lifelong friendships, and one "affair to remember" later, i'm back, though in Australia now, my place of origin. I did make it the full distance though, and it was my plans to head further south into Morocco and West Africa which were hampered by illness and the onset of what looks to be a reasonably brisk winter on the continent.   
   
   But beyond all of the extraordinary sights and extraordinary people I met along the way, the thing that stood out most for me - and remains with me still - is the state of mind I slipped into once i'd disconnected from the "modern world". Unplug yourself from information, news, newspapers, television and everything else that passes for "reality" these days, and a very different reality emerges: one where humanity counts more for the quality of a man than the badges he wears, the colour of his skin or the money in his wallet. Whatever you've seen on the news, believe me when I tell you that people - without exception to the region of the world in which they live - are generally good, decent human beings.
   
   The world is *not* a scary place. Believe me.
   
   I see in the forums here that although some things have changed, alot hasn't. There's still a nauseating amount of belligerence and ignorance in many sections for the forum. To a degree, I understand it. I do not, though, accept it. My concern is that people accept this - along with the state of the world - as unchangeable "facts of life" - which we have no capacity to change or impact. Nothing could be further from the truth. You retain ultimate control over your life, and possess the capacity to create any reality you wish. It's as simple as making the decision to change your reality and working day by day towards your vision.   
   
   So, beyond religion, beyond ideology, beyond politics - and in tribute to the reality i've discovered for myself, and that you can find for yourself too - i'd like to acknowledge the value in each and every person here. Irrespective of the views we all hold, there is a common bond we all share - our humanity - which transcends opinion and belief. We're all in this together.
   
   Soap-box speeches aside, i'm back now! So hi to all the people who remember me, and "nice to meet you" to all the ones that don't ;-)
   
   Kristin.

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      Happyboomernurseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like you should have some great material for new hubs. I look forward to reading them.

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      ahostagesituationposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Best freaking post ever.  Great experiment, glad you're finished and miserably safe now ;-).  The world as a whole is a lot less evil when you visit it for real and not via media robots, no?

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   b. Malinposted 13 years ago

   What a wonderful read...what an exciting adventure!  Something some of us only dream about.  I  joined three months ago and am still finding my way in the Forums.  But you are so right, anything can be done once we get over the But...or I can't.  Life can be beautiful!

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   rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

   very nice. start hubbing about your trip. people will love to read about your adventures. I think disconnecting is very healthy. I was thinking along the same lines today when I was out walking my dog. People are basically good regardless of what we all believe.

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   Lily Roseposted 13 years ago

   Nice to meet you, Kristin.  Sounds like a fantastic journey; I hope you write about it.

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   Bizziebeeposted 13 years ago

   Hey Kristin,
   
   Great stuff, look forward to more hubs

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Welcome Back.

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   Denise Handlonposted 13 years ago

   What an adventure! I am looking forward to reading about it through your hubs.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts here. 

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