Frustration: meaning - Webster’s Dictionary: ‘feelings from not being able to attain a goal or fulfill a desire’: Synonym: discouragement; disappointment.

If my goal was to walk 100km a week, for the past year, I’ve failed. Part of me is frustrated at the lack of progress, especially when friends and family say, ‘your still in Central Asia?’

Conversely, I’ve been in one of the most dangerous areas of the planet, living with the most amazing life; living with tribal natives and warlords and their families; making friends of people who would bomb the USA in a heartbeat if given half-a-chance.
I hope that our friendship has in some small way, given them a way to view American people in a different light; separating us from out government. (The USA government is still sending drones bombs into their neighborhoods, killing their friends and family members; in a non-specific way to route out the enemy; Taliban terrorist)

As a Westerner, I’ve gotten to experience family life so very different from my own family experiences, yet on an emotional level, very similar.

Although this year finds me at an age that I can’t relate to, 62-years old: my health is great; heart, lungs, blood pressure and other vitals are in top condition. No sign of arthritis in the joints. No blisters on my feet. My last Malaria attack was in 2003.

I’ve had two health related incidences this past year, one a dog bit resulting in a series of painful (and expensive) rabies shots, and hepatitis. The site of the dog bite, where it’d penetrated the bone, still aches sometimes. I should be completely cured from the Hepatitis, but a lingering tiredness and overwhelming fatigue still plagues me. I am easily exhausted when I walk for days at a time, it’s quite bothersome. My walking days are shorter, my rest days longer.

It’s been suggested I should go home to rest and recover. I can rest here just as well. I don’t need high-tech medical intervention. Therefore, I’m resting between each stage of my walk.

I keep reminding myself that ‘it’s not a race, that its experiences are what I desire, not mileage.’

It’s inconceivable to image what I’d be doing with my life if I were not on this journey. I believe I am exactly where I should be.

My family seems to have adjusted to their new life styles, my son to his 2-year marriage late in his life is designing and building their dream house and my father’s re-marriage after the death of my mother, even later in his life, and my daughter is coping with a teenage son. I regret I am not there to get to know their mates and see my grandson grow into manhood.

I walk alone, but I could not do this WALKABOUT JOURNEY alone, without my support group, who selflessly work behind the scenes.

Thank-You:
First to my father, whose generosity has provided me with a new digital camera, a Canon G9, a new backpack and boots; and whose financial support has gotten me through this trying year.

Danny Oorburg, who has been a great help updating my website since 2001, even through the sleepless night phases of his new fatherhood. Danny and Alex will soon be celebrating their daughters first birthday.

Patrick Barmentlo, creator of www.CyberWizards.nl, has generously hosted my large website since 2002. Patrick has made good use of his time; he has married and has a lovely daughter.

In addition, thank-you to all my sponsors (see the sponsor page).