I finally made it! Just over 21km in one day…yahoo!! New Farm to the Underwood Marketplace shops…that was a hard walk. I’d started later in the morning, so I was walking during the day when the sun was most hot. It really zapped my energy! The backpack I had was too small to contain all my gear for two weeks. The cap I wore allowed the sun to burn the back of my neck and ears. As I passed the BFC (Boating, Camping, Fishing) store at Greenslopes, I decided to purchase a bigger and more comfortable backpack and hat. They made a massive difference to my walking.
Only two people turned up to see me off on this epic journey this morning, Amelia and Kirsty. They cooked a yummy nourishing breakfast; a great start for my travels that day. Amelia has been at the forefront of doing the admin for the Oasis Foundation and behind the scenes fundraising efforts for the upcoming Bangladesh trip in February 2016. Kirsty and her husband are the Bangladesh translators that are helping me with the preparations for the trip. It would have been more exciting to have more people there. I guess people were either catching more zzzzz (it was 6am after all), or had forgotten about it. I’ll keep reminding everyone about the journey through my many posts and daily blogs on social media and the website.
After a couple of hours, I stopped at my friends, Peter and Bev’s place. After a shower and a light snack, I curled up for a sleep. I slept for a couple of hours, then woke quite refreshed. After some hugs, I headed off again.
I was determined to get to my destination before nightfall. And I succeeded just as the light was dwindling. I briefly met with my dear sweet friend, Audy and she took my heavy bag with her back to her place where I’d be staying for the night. I kept my phone and cards with me. I forgot to take my white cane though. Now I really did need to get to Underwood while still light, as my vision drops to about 1metre in front of me in the dark, even with streetlights. I took a taxi back to Audy’s.
Then we went out for dinner at a Thai restaurant at Tarragindi and had a delicious meal. You see Audy works there and is very respected and well liked by her peers. She explained to them in Thai about the work we’re both doing with the children overseas. As well as the fundraising walk I’m doing. They were quite impressed and congratulated us both on the efforts we’re putting forth.
This was my Day One. I impressed myself with my efforts. I’ll sleep very well this night.
https://chuffed.org/project/blind-walk-for-the-children-in-bangladesh