Once I left as a child, without route or plan
On a journey my whole life, what good is that
On a journey no questions of how far still or why
On a journey you're a gypsy, traveling forth an no looking back
On a journey you're a gypsy, traveling forth an no looking back
Loosely adapted and translated: Onderweg - Willem Vermandere
Trondheim. Sunday afternoon around two o'clock I cycled - no, wheeled - into Trondheim. It was still cloudy in the morning, but as I rolled in to Trondheim, the sun was shining bright. The last hills were conquered and was on my way down hill for four kilometers as tears started rolling down my cheeks as I got moved by the site of Nidarosdomen. The large imposing cathedral where the holy Olav is buried. The tears from a mixture of pride, gratitude and happiness, Got mixed up with the water of the Olav spring near the church.
Whoops...
Over the whole route between Oslo and Trondheim are a couple of Olav springs. They're thought to have healing properties. I drank some of it at a few of them and hope it won't kill my cycle-virus...
The final destination is reached. Eventhough there's no religious motivation for me, this way of traveling have many similarities: because of the slow pace the world gets very big and impressive. Everything you see on the horizon comes nearer very slowly. You feel small and insignificant and you a see the world in a different light, from what you otherwise get going through the stress-full motions to get anywhere, but going nowhere. Nature is always close at hand. You feel the warmth of the sun, the wetness of the raindrops, the wind blowing over your cheeks. You smel flower, hear insects buzzing and frighten a bird flying away ("Sorry!", is what you'd say...).
You get a complete history lesson which makes more of an impression than in the times on school.
You get to know the culture of a country from within. You come inside peoples homes, have conversations on your way and withness or participate in traditional gatherings and local festivities.
Your very into the here and now with the only care being a place to sleep, eventhough you soon learn it always turns out okay. This will be confirmed by any fellow traveler.
Crossing borders on two wheels. That's it.
Note that my journey isn't over yet. I still have a ride back to the car of three to four days en I have a couple of appointments before I can hop on the boat in Oslo. It looks like I'll be home in ten days.
Today I had a very inspiring conversation with Hans Morten Løvrød, manager of the Norwegian part of the Pilgrim route and Heidi Brimi, the Manager of the other Pilgrim route between Swedish eastcoast to Torndheim. With Mattias Jansson I got to work through the whole route again. Mattias is a cyclist as well and it was a pleasant experiance to go over the ins and outs once more with him.
Heidi, Hans and Mattias: tusen takk!!
