Last week I had my test run, or let’s say test ‘hiking’ (as I didn’t run but I hiked) to have a look (better, to have the feeling) if I am fit enough to climb the 3829 meter (12562 feet) Mt Chirripó.
So I laced my hiking boots at 5 am and stomped higher and higher and much more higher. After 8 kilometers (5 miles) and 1269 meters (4163 feet) elevation gain I reached my destination: the middle station where Estevan, my family’s sun in law (ups, he – of course – could be the sUn, but likelier he is the sOn in law…) works.
I consult my watch: I needed exactly three hours. Estevan nods: “great time!”
8 kilometer and 1269 meter elevation gain in 3 hours – I am content
The quails and I allow ourselves two bananas before I walk down. Pretty cold up here! Please note: next time bring warm clothing!
I need 2 hours and 10 minutes to get back – nice!
Barefoot Bob comes to San Gerardo de Rivas
And then Barefoot Bob, the interesting individualist I met in Manuel Antonio, announced his arrival in San Gerardo de Rivas!
Company, hooray!
Once arrived, he told me a lot about his life and I learned, that bfb (= barefoot bob) is more than only a musical vagabond…
…In the age of 21 he celebrated his MBA. Afterwards he spent two years in a hick town in Fiji to support the people in being self sustainable, and following two (or even three?) Ph.D.’s he decided to concentrate himself to this purpose with all of his heart.
Barefoot Bob at his ‘work’ (I think he’d call it ‘pleasure’) in Uganda.
So he got around the world – you know, there a few countries with food insecurity and areas with natural hazards who are in need of a sustainable way of life.
Most of all I have been mesmerized, not by his, indeed, interesting story of his life but his attitude to life. To enrich oneself with the beauty of life – not with possesions. To be who you are and not what others would think would be right.
I am exactly at this point. I wanna say good bye to a world in which I (rather inefficient) have tried to adapt myself and walk into my life.
So many people describe me as multifaceted with so many talents.
Only, to live a multifaceted life means it is difficult to focus to just one thing and have your other talents waiting in line. I’m getting bored very easily if only one part of my interests is challenged in my job. I really tried hard the last years, to focus on being a vet, but I wasn’t very happy.
I do a have a life plan. Not a five-year plan.
I don’t know where exactly my journey will lead me – but since leaving Austria my heart is moving. It’s beats are firmer and more loving and ideas begin to move in me…
I don’t know where exactly my journey will lead me – but don’t we say: the journey is the destination? And this journey is my life. And I want to enjoy it every day, savour every minute. I don’t want to twist my mind to find a five-year plan. I have a life plan – and that means to live in harmony with myself. And my destination, that lies in the infinity…
I don’t know where exactly my journey will lead me – but I am moving, I LIVE… I look faithfully into my future. I look forward to people who understand me. And with the others, I want to laugh about our diversity…
In Barefoot Bob I’ve found a wonderful interlocutor. And he also converts his inner voice to music. So he wrote this terrific song:
But we did not only chat, we also made music. At least until 7:30 pm – as then the (imaginary) sidewalks were rolled up and we kindly asked to postpone any further melodies…
We hiked in Cloudbridge. But everything and every angle! Seven hours – does that count as a training session…?
We relaxed our muscels in Agua Termales, the hot springs in San Gerardo. But: the blue tiled pool reminds more of a swimming pool and maaaybe is not worth the seven dollars entrance…
The farewell took place in the booming Karaoke-Bar – afterwards the globetrotter moved on.
Via Nicaragua – Honduras – Guatemala to Mexiko.
And I did my reservation for the Mt. Chirripó:
Tomorrow at 4 am I will start my way up! Wish me luck, energy and staying power 🙂
