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Journal, Ritsem-Narvik 2023.
Massive train delay. Arrived in Ritsem 5 hours later than planned. Late start. But, that's life, right? You plan, you dream, and then reality shows you something else. Bought myself the required fishing license for my Swedish escapade at Ritsem mountain lodge. The pack feels heavy on my shoulders, but that's nothing new. The first few days of any journey are always like carrying a load of bricks. It's a burden, but it's a familiar one.

The initial plan was to make camp at 9 pm. I was close to calling it a day when rain, accompanied by wild rumble of thunder paid me a visit, but pushed onwards for another hour. When finally settling for a spot, I realized the location was way too wind-exposed. I could see the tension it put on the tent. So, the only logical thing was to take it down and walk further. Came to a mountainstream which was more suitable. Now I'm here, food in the making. The wind comes and goes. The calmness I felt earlier now mixed with some sense of anxiety about what the heck I'm doing out here. Another long-distance hike. Something I swore to myself last year I wouldn't do again. But here I am. Lured by the call of the wild. Excitement, angst swirl within me. I tell myself these are good feelings. The ones that make you feel alive.

Thrown off , but as I gaze at the mountain massif of Akkha, remembering the story about the Chinese farmer. About not knowing the outcomes. Pushing the daily boulder up the mountain. persevering and sharpening that mental sword. That's my mantra.