Freeconomy Blog
Sun
03 Feb
Learning on the job - about myself and the world...
| 19 comments |
The last few days has made me realise the magnitude of what it feels like to be homeless. In some ways its easier - I've chosen this path and have lots of support from family and friends. In other ways harder, I can't take money or a bus ride or non-vegan food. And I think you can't really understand what it feels like to be homeless until you have been, just like you can't begin to talk about war until you've seen it.
And so a lot of feelings have come up in the last week that I thought I had completely sorted. Intellectualising your faith in humanity and actually having it are two different things. To be honest, the gap between both has never been less than now, but I must admit to feeling the lack of security in not knowing where the next meal will come from or where your next roof will be. So its work in progress but it is building and building and my faith in my brothers and sisters has never been so strong - I would love to tell you about all the amazing people I met over the last few days but I'd be here all night!
Yesterday started well but declned rapidly on a physical level. It started when a guy offered to meet me in a café up the road for some food. Shortly after that though one of my sandals collapsed meaning I had to wear my hiking boots for the next 40km. And trust me they are meant for hills, not flat land. But whilst trying to fix my sandal with some string, the fastener on my only water bottle that had any water in it broke, and the bottle fell off with me knowing. And given my path that day had no pubs en route, it ws going to be a long day. As did the gloves a lovely woman gave me a few days earlier.
Then, after powering it for 30km trying to get to Bournemouth before dark, a nice police officer asked me to take a different route which added an extra 7km onto my already long journey, meaning that not only could I not get there before dark, I couldn't actually physically get there. Given the fact I hadn't slept the night before, I was feeling a bit rough to say the least. But, eh, as I say myself, it's only a shell, a vehicle for the soul. Nice when it works though.
So I find myself a football pitch in suburban Bournemouth and crawl ino my tent. Having already broken the world record for the worlds biggest blister, I noticed my foot was up like a balloon, which is probably the reason why it was hurting. So I got straight into the sleeping bag, fully clothed, hoping that sleep would take me.
But it didn't. The tight Bournemouth breeze rode through the city last night and so it was a matter of keeping warm again. Sleep is overrated anyway.
I woke up this morning and looked at my dwindling food reserves. Should I have the apple for breakfast or save it for lunch? That's the decisions I make these days. But my trust in humanity said to have it for breakfast. I asked Gandhiji to supply me with what I needed today to keep going and the good man delivered. Oh and how!
I ended up taking the day off walking, having two dinners and some catch up time to you guys, and in a few minutes, a nice warm bed!
Tomorrow I'm off for Southampton and may catch up with a few freeconomists there, lets see. It's a wonderful adventure, I just need to keep practicing that the swollen feet are just as important to ppreciate as the amazing connections with people I make.
Just one thing by the way - if you want to do one thing for me its this - if you see a homeless person on the street, give that person a floor or bed for the night or even just a few pound for a room. Its not OK to have people sleep on the streets while we all have so much, even if we don't realise how much sometimes.
Comment on this Post:
Mishca comments ...
I am so sad that we didnt get to meet you Mark I had a bed all ready for you in Bournemouth last night it would be great to know where you are
eso we could at least come and say hello in the morrning..
I check my computer as soon as i get up around 7.. i also took some pics to go on the site but as we didnt ge tto see you I dont have a password
love and hugz Mishca
what size sandles do you need??
Gareth comments ...
man, yr sandals arrived about 3 hours after you left....and yr walking too fast for us to meet up with you! slow down you bugger!
Yanik comments ...
Hello Saoirse,
I am blown away by your faith in the Universe and I admire you for following your heart and your convictions. I thank you warmly for sharing your story with the world. You are inspiring me to take the first step on my own, very different, journey.
You have no idea what a wonderful coincidence it was for me to find your site...I saw the Ghandi film about 2 weeks ago and it awakened something inside me. Seeing how one man was able to move mountains as he did made me realize that one person CAN make a difference in the world.
Secretly, I wished I could hear of others who are following their hearts and a few days later, I stumbled onto this site... Simply amazing...
May your heart be filled with peace and may human angels ensure you are safe, every step of the way. I’m sending bright beams of positive thoughts and energy to you and to all.
Yanik
Quebec, Canada
tiinku(Dubai,U.A.E) comments ...
last night till 10 pm in our local time i was looking at the map to know abt u and today now it’s 7am,im seeing u one the map.it’s a wonderful feelings..while reading yr story my tears came out.i really don’t know how to express.the more u r facing trouble the more u r thinking abt homeless person.it’s is unthinkable.u r above all of us,a true hero,a true human being.may god gives u all strength that u need.
Matt Cardy comments ...
Hi Saoirse. Been watching your progress with much interest and admiration. I work for a press agency and would very much like to meet up and photograph you on your pilgrimage before you leave the UK. I shall be in Bournemouth/Southampton area today (Monday) so if you get this message and can post your approx location or borrow a phone I am on 07769 654194. I’ll ahve a look in the garage and see if I can find any camping water bottles for you!!
Cheers and best regards
Matt Cardy
David comments ...
Hi, I really love what you’re doing, it’s a great inspiration!
It’d be great if you could let us know if you’ll be passing through Brighton and when, I’d really like to wish you well and give anything I can to help.
Bibi van der Zee comments ...
Hi Mark, am so impressed by your walk. I’m a journalist, and I live in Brighton, where I imagine you’ll be arriving soon. Would you like a bed for the night there? I’d really like to talk to you about what you’re doing, and perhaps write about it, if you think that would be okay. My email address is bibizee@yahoo.co.uk, my tel no 07747 635 750.
bibi
- the offer of the room still stands even if you’re not interested in talking to journalists!
Gary comments ...
Hi Mark, I live between southampton and portsmouth and would be honoured to walk a way with you, in return i’ll give you a lift over portsmouth harbour in my boat or a bed, it should save you around 30 kilometres.
yours aye
gary
Gary comments ...
Hi again, sorry forgot the important part sumpysaz@yahoo.co.uk and 07887524401
gary
Azam comments ...
Well done! Don’t know your route, but if you pass anywhere near London; you can have a bed, food, sandals, clothes!
Joe comments ...
Found the blog!! Knew it was lurking somewhere ’under my nose’.
Regretting over-sleeping and not making it down to see you off from the harbour last week (seems extra pathetic now having read about your recent sleep deprivation!)
Hope you’re still keeping well, in the face of high winds & broken sandals!
Will do what I can to spread the freeconomy in Brizle. The timing feels ripe. I suspect a lot will have changed by the time you make it back.
Be well,
Joe.
Rachel Fox comments ...
There was a picture of you in one of local papers today (Dundee Courier). Great to read all the friendly and generous comments too.
Rachel Fox
Montrose
carlyan2 comments ...
Well Done Saoirse - I am so proud to read your blog and feel a part of your amazing journey and the meaning behind it! You are an inspiration to so many - I am looking forward to following you on your journey and will be with you in thought and willing you on. Sunshine and Smiles x
Coinneach Odhar comments ...
I think you are a greedy hippocrite. You willing take things from others who have worked hard for these things. You will also expect tax payers to help when you get into difficulties which you surely will. If you do not believe in worldy goods how come ypou use a computer or is that also \"borrowed\". The worlkd is better off without public stunts like this.
Brother John comments ...
Hey good brother. Glad to see you’re on the trail your heart has instructed you to follow. Your pilgrimage is inspiring.
I’ve been living out of a bag in North America for a year and a half now, and I must say, the hardest part of the journey is the part that you’re on now. Your feet, however will toughen. Your faith in humanity and the Universe will multiply. You will be given the opportunity to be in the company of people you would have never otherwise been blessed to meet, and your heart will break as you see the harshness many people endure.
You’re on a beautiful journey brother, wishing you the absolute best in your travels. May you find what you seek.
Love and Light
Brother John
fellow pilgrim comments ...
Dear Mark, I wish to express my hope that you will not do this walk alone. I am also aware of Satish Kumar’s amazing walk for peace: and that he walked with another Gandhian.
Please, let us all find a way to accompany your noble mission.
Nikunj comments ...
Hi MARK,
I agree with you and i am doing the same.
"WE ALL HAVE TO CHANGE THIS WORLD, WE ALL HAVE TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BIG FAMILY".
EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE CAN CHANGE THIS WORLD.
Go ahead my friend my brother "Where there is a will there is a way".
Thanks,
Nikunj
Petra comments ...
Dear kind man,
we need in each of us more of that what you are doing.
I do not know what youre route is, but if your way leeds you to Croatia...Zagreb...or any other city in my beloved country, please, just say it :)
It would be nice to meet you.
And to help you on your journey.
With love...
