12 February 2018

Today it's exactly a year ago that I left my hometown to cycle around the world. A lot of things happened, I've seen a lot beautiful places, I've met a lot amazing people and I've also learned a lot.

A few hightlights:

When I was in Leuven, Belgium I didn't quite understand the couchsurfingsystem yet and I didn't have a place to sleep, but didn't want to sleep on the streets somewhere. So I searched and found all the courage in my body and asked a nice looking woman if I could stay at her place for one night. Dominique was very nice, we had great conversations and she even let me stay another night, so I could rest and explore the city. That was very nice.

The last day cycling on the Camino de Santiago in Spain was also a memorable event. I tell the story about that often. That day I started with two other cyclists, Alberto (ES) and Sheldon (US), in Liñares. We had met the day before and stayed at the same albergue. Alberto wanted to cycle the 'real' camino, what's actually a hiking path and not that nice with a bicycle. After a tough hill we took the 'normal' road and then it became easier and we made more progress. But Alberto was not really happy with that, so after we lunched he decided to leave us and Sheldon and I continued our way on the asphalted roads. We talked about a lot of things and suddenly he told me he wanted to cycle with the stars once. At first I didn't believe him, because I was thinking about that a couple of days before! So we took a 'pilgrims menu' at an albergue and went on. There were a lot of hills, but we took our time and saw a lot of stars. At 5 AM we arrived at Santiago de Compostella after 169,5 km. The furthest I ever had and will cycle without sleeping inbetween. When the albergue opened, we took a shower and slept for hours.

Marocco was also a nice experience. I found out a lot about the culture there. Like that you get a lot of looks if you're cycling as a woman alone and that people there are not used to that. But I also had nice experiences, like surfing with Stephan in Taghazout. But the most wonderful thing was the visit with Daan to the Sahara and when we woke up in the middle of the night, we could see the Milky Way with our naked eyes.

When I think back about Switzerland I have to remember my time in the International Scout Centre at Kandersteg. A beautiful surrounding, great activities, people from all over the world and a very good friendship with a crazy girl who lives on the other side of the world. We worked together on the Campsite and had a lot of fun during, but also after work. I hope to see you again, Kristy!

At Taranto, in the very south of Italy, I experienced again something extraordinary. I didn't have a place to sleep yet for that night, but when I was cycling on the boulevard, a couple approaced me. They asked the same questions I was getting used to, but also if I had already a place to sleep. They are a part of the Warmshower community but on their last holiday day and invited me to stay at their appartment. So nice! But on top of the good conversations, nice bed, they also invited me to go to some friends for some real Italian hospitality. It was a very warm welcome during a few days I felt alone.

But the most wonderful thing of all happened when I crossed the border back to the Netherlands. I was cycling over a small cyclingpath through the countryside, what meant that there was no sign saying 'Welcome to the Netherlands'. I was used to always read the street names and trying to decipher their meaning. So I read this one again and again and then I realised I could read and understand it right away. I saw Dutch license plates, and not just one or two, but everywhere! And the conversations on the street, I could understand them!

After I arrived back home in Leiden, I was still busy. So now I'm having my own flat, I started teaching again and I'm probably going to start on an education programme to make costumes at Septembre this year.

See you at the next adventure!