Started Hiking

Last Saturday, I heard about a group of folk that has been consistently hiking for over 5 years, doing so every Saturday morning, except the last Saturday of the month, because that is when Umuganda,¹ takes place.

This caught my attention for two reasons:

1. I've always wanted to try it out.
2. I admired the discipline of these people sticking to a practice that long.

🗺️

I sometimes entertain this thought; that in another life, I would have appreciated having chosen the path of an explorer, instead of that of an engineer. This is because my first memory of a passion, was me reading a map, and interpreting the legend, and seeking out whatever was painted henceforth, and drawing my own versions. It felt noble and worthwhile back then, perhaps even now.

Like most dreams, however, it faded away, and I never lived to see myself become an explorer. But, I've always considered hiking to be a worthy compromise given the circumstances. And when I heard of this group, I immediately set a plan to show up, and ascertain what could I earn from the moment.

It didn't disappoint. I decided that I want to stick to it, and always show up, not only for the health benefits of the endeavour, but also for the promise of adventure, and a silly attempt to keep an old dream alive.

If I find the will power, and amass the discipline, I'll be logging on a weekly (every Saturday) basis. I'm uncertain because this is a challenge, especially given the brutal albeit beautiful Rwandan terrain and its fluctuating elevation levels - it's called The Land of 1000 Hills for a reason.

But come what may; I want to see how far I can take this.