One year ago

A year ago, I took a flight to Los Angeles and then a train to San Diego on an endless first day of travel. Getting on a train. Taking a flight. Starting to walk.

I was stressed. I didn't why I was doing it, except that I needed to do it.

A year ago, I was afraid of breaking my foot, twisting my ankle, and having to turn back after barely twenty kilometres.

A year ago, I didn't know that I would meet exceptional people, even before starting to walk.

A year ago, I didn't know how happy one can be every day, from the moment he wakes up to the moment he get into his sleeping quilt, and that one can be happy even when sore, dirty, and underfed.

A year ago, I didn't know how sublime the wild, almost untouched nature can be.

Last night I dreamt that I was preparing instant "Idaho baby red" instant mashed potatoes, a meal that I ate almost every day for five months. In my dream, I was thinking I should celebrate this anniversary.

I still think about the trail all the time. I still feel like I've been kicked out of heaven.

Yet, the feeling that dominates now, today, is gratitude. I’m not sure why i had to walk that much. I don’t know still everything that i found up there.

Still it was a beautiful journey.