Hooked On A Feeling

Which of these paths will you choose?

A new day begins. A new sun rises. The air is fresh and I am ready to breathe it in! I feel like a fighter loose and anxious, confident and ready for the bell; trembling! I understand that not everyone knows what I’m talking about. For me it’s that feeling I have at the trail head. I’ve stepped away from the road. The air feels sharp and invades every pore of my skin; the air feels clean. The acrid smell of the morning sun warming the pine needles flares my nostrils. I fill my lungs. My mind races through what’s ahead of me. I pour through how I’ve prepared. I become aware of myself inside. I feel like I’m standing at the gate that separates me from everything else. Then it fades away as the sheer power of the world presses on all my senses. The flood gates open drowning me in real ‘here and now’ life. A voice that is all too familiar but at the same time all too foreign comes boiling the surface and in a calm and clear voice says, “Alright — let’s go.”

And then we go.

I’ve spent the last two months preparing for this month. The mission has been set. Home base has been built. Now it is time to venture out in to the real ‘here and now’ world and raise some money. I am a goal orientated person and as such my goal for this month of November is to have $1000 raised for Action Against Hunger/ Action Contre la Faim (ACF). So now I need to tell my family, and my friends, and ask them to tell their family and their friends. I need to blow the dust off some old friendships and ask for help. I need to go knocking on the doors of neighbors and businesses alike and spread the word.

All too often I think people (myself included) focus their energy on how difficult it will be to complete this task or that. The truth of the matter though is that it is impossible not to complete if we give it everything we’ve got. I’m reminded of backpacking again. About how that voice inside of me can be so convincing when it tells me of the easy way out. About how I don’t need to go any farther and I can stop right here on the trail, about how I can turn back, about how I can’t do it anymore. That voice got to me in Patagonia. It’s got to me at times before then. And I’ve certainly heard its voice since then. But now there is a new voice, a calm and clear voice, that speaks with power and encouragement, which tells me I cannot fail so long as I keep going. Otro paso más.

The right path!

So now Walking Hungry begins to raise money: $1000 in November. Step by step, and dollar by dollar. I know that anyone and everyone who reads this can help. I can’t say for certain that you will help. But keep this in mind before you dismiss the idea to donate. Have you ever been hungry before? Maybe very hungry to the point where you felt weak? Maybe you’ve just been a little hungry, enough to loose your train of thought? I personally cannot even imagine living a life time in that condition and still keeping a smile on my face. So hypothetically, if you were given the opportunity to give away $1 with the knowledge that it would end that hunger that you have felt, and that others live with; would you? That $1 isn’t even a glass a beer or a glass of wine…you can spare one beer from now until forever can’t you?

I ask for a $1 for a simple reason. We’ve all been hungry at some point in time. We’ve all had a $1 to spare, or have $1 we’ve wasted at some point and time, maybe more! If we all give that small amount, that $1, then we can all build the steps, bit by bit, to end global hunger. That’s global hunger! Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America (and Antarctica I suppose too).

So here are your options:

Click here to go to Walking Hungry. You can read about my campaign to raise money for Action Against Hunger/ Action Contre la Faim (ACF). Then follow the link on the left hand side to donate to ACF via Walking Hungry.

Or

Click here to skip my site and go straight to the donation page of Action Against Hunger/ Action Contre la Faim (ACF).

Either way though, as we struggle through tough economic times and make small sacrifices. Think about what you still have: a place to sleep, a computer to play with, cable maybe? Know that these tough times are hurting others more than they are hurting us. Donate a $20, donate $5, donate at least $1 right now. Your donation will build on top of others and that will make the difference.

All right — let’s go.

…Another Step More

I’m back after a bit of a hiatus. Rent was due so I had to pull in some extra shifts…you all understand I’m sure. But here I am again and back with new vigor. You see since I began constructing this walk for Action Against Hunger at the beginning of September, I’ve had so many ideas and possibilities come my way. I’ve rearranged my entire life schedule to prepare and plan for this walk. I mean lets face it…1500 miles is a heck of along way to walk, and 4 months living out of pocket with out a job is a long time to spend. I know what needs to be done, I know how to prepare and furthermore I genuinely want to dedicate my time accordingly; but all too often another day passes and I haven’t accomplished my goals. So my next step forward is critical. I need discipline.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” (Jim Rohn) I’ve made that little quote into my desktop background in an effort to get my self off the computer, off the couch, and to start working.

So what do I need to do to prepare for this trip? What is it that takes such discipline?

I need to be prepared physically. 1500 miles across flat lands, rolling hills, snow covered mountains, rocky paths, steps up, steps down, stumbles and tumbles, blisters and sore backs, getting lost, doubling back, and all that falls in between is very taxing on your muscles, bones, and joints. It takes energy to move your body, calories from food. That is food that we won’t always have! That is food that a lot of people don’t have. But that is why we’re all here isn’t it!? For now though, I do have that food. In fact I have a pretty nice selection of food. I have the energy it takes to prepare my muscles and bones. I have the time to train as I work mostly nights, and I have the knowledge and the means to train and eat properly with a background in exercise physiology. But I’m lacking something.

I need to be prepared mentally. Luck as I am to be fluent in the most prevalent international language: English. I can’t always assume that every one I speak with will have equal fluency. So I need to learn Italian, French, and Spanish. That means lessons and lessons take time and dedication. Language however will not be my biggest mental challenge. I need to have an idea of where our route will take us, how far we can move in a day, and what to expect culturally to get along. This journey is going to leave a lot to spontaneity and I understand that. In fact I think the easiest way to ruin this whole course (and I mean from now until the finish line) is to plan too much. I need to be like pieces of a puzzle; open as a single piece to all the possibilities of the picture, but fitted together formed into a beautiful scene. And that takes something.

I need to be prepared emotionally. Here I feel is the toughest part. With all the unknown that lays ahead it is difficult and at times seems impossible to keep your self together, but it is necessary. On the days when it’s raining, on the nights when it’s cold, during the days when it’s hot, when I miss a good meal, when I want a soft bed, when I feel like I can’t take another step, or; when I have a good meal, and a nice place to sleep, and I don’t want to leave, when I just feel like giving up and coming home, when that voice in my head tells me I’ve done enough already, when it tells me I’m the one who matters most, when I tell myself I can’t do it, that I don’t want to do it, when I’m scared that I’ll fail, when I think it’s easier to quit; that is when I need something.

DISCIPLINE

A wonder of life, another step more. A photo of El Camino de Santiago.

When I left my mates in Chile I wasn’t prepared in any way. And I lacked that discipline I needed. But after I left the trail I stayed at the NOLS campo for almost 2 weeks and got to work with a peaceful man who was preparing the next class. He was a spiritual guy, a Rasta native to that land who as a youth had himself participated in a NOLS Patagonia course. He taught me two very important lessons. First that every moment is a wonder: in that it is a mystery and a beautiful thing. Second, and in response to that mysterious beauty, we must always take “otro paso más”…another step more.

Being Scott Zielke

Introducing one of two main characters, your humble narrator: Scott Zielke! Pleased to meet you world! I have to say it is a bit awkward holding one’s self to the character trait of humble when you create a blog that is seemingly to be written about one’s self and my effort to help Action Against Hunger. That said I suppose that’s just the way things are and I shall have to deal with it. After all, these few opening blogs have been made to set the stage. I want those who are reading to have an idea of how this whole mess is coming together. It really is quite a project planning for 4 months on foot, and promoting Action Against Hunger, and trying to find money for the trip to take place. But I guess that today we are here to hear about me for the simple fact that I want you to know who is putting this thing on…who did you help sponsor?

Scott Zielke in GSMNP, TN

Scott Zielke, age 26, graduated from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN with a degree in Education. My life really took a huge turn in 2003 on my way to spring break in Savanna, GA. I stopped by the Great Smokey Mountains National Park for a solo camping trip (my first actually) and fell in love with the beauty that surrounded me! 4 weeks later I packed all my stuff and moved to Sevierville, TN into my first apartment living right next to a national park (a dream of mine). I planned on staying for the summer (3 months) and then returning to Eastern Illinois University to finish out my last year of college. Instead I stayed in Tennessee for two and a half years. In that time, I lived a total of six places, all unique and very dear. I started out in my apartment, and then moved into a country house with three roommates from the Czech Republic. When they left, I couldn’t afford the rent and moved into my truck. I found the worst part of living in your vehicle was having now where to go. I got out of work late walked to the parking lot and there I was. I woke up and drove to school, finished class and sat in my truck until work started. It really wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be. I co worker of mine (now a very great friend) found me one day and his family (John and Patricia Thomas) invited me into their home for the next 8 months! When he (Christopher Todd) moved away to school I left too. I moved into his father’s trailer he was attempting to sell. When that ended I moved in with his father (Alvin Todd) until I graduated and came back to Chicago. You might ask yourself how all of that applies in any direction, but it does and deeply. You see their kindness to a stranger, their willingness to give without receiving, really opened me up to a new kind of living. It helped to solidify what was important in my life. But that wasn’t the end of it.

When I moved back to Illinois I was fortunate to get a job at Country Wide Home Loans. The job was good to me, but I didn’t feel like I was doing any good for anyone else. More than that though, I missed that feeling of adventure I had when I lived in TN. So I applied to the Peace Corps, the Americorps and NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). I prayed day after day, week after week month after month to hear something! Then it all came flooding in; Peace Corps, Americorps, and NOLS were all possible and within my reach! I moved forward with the Peace Corps and NOLS. As time moved forward it was determined that I would spend a semester in Patagonia, Chile with NOLS and then come back to the USA for a few months and move to the Ukraine to work with the Peace Corps as a Youth Developer.

The very beautiful Coyhaique, Chile

Before I knew it I was flying to Chile! My first out of country solo experience! Day one: I got robbed! All my money save $50 gone! I spent a week in Santiago and met some wonderful people and tried to look towards the world with trust and openness. I then made my way down to Coyhaique, Chile. The world was different there on the NOLS farm. I was preparing for a three month expedition in to the sharp and rugged Andes Mountains! We set out on our voyage, hiking up, crossing rivers, pushing through brush so thick you had to fight to stand up, and every once and a while we would come across the pobladore: Chilean cowboys. They lived a life I couldn’t imagine! No one for around for miles on end. No connection to the outside world. Living off what they had on their land.

Pobladore and his welcoming home

They had no roads, no radio, no tv, no electricity, and so on. I was shocked! It was one thing to have heard of people living in poverty, it was something else entirely to witness it, to (in the sense that we were living off the land) live it. What’s more, is that these fine people would give us shelter, and offer us there prize tea. It might not sound like a lot to everyone out there. But to a scared, tired, cold and wet young man who grew up in the luxury of suburban Chicago; this was akin to the beggars of the street putting money in MY cup.

I left my group early. I was scared, shocked, and longing for the comfortable sights of home where I had a warm bed, an abundance of food, a wonderful girlfriend. It was a place where the world seemed to be doing just wonderful! It was my greatest and most prized failure. It took a wile for the wounds to heal, but like a broken bone I grew back stronger, and was determined to make a change.

And that was the beginning of this. I came home in the fall of 2006. I withdrew from the Peace Corps, not yet healed, not yet ready to help those people of the Ukraine. I moved back to Tennessee. Ashley and I grew closer and after 8 or 9 months moved to Chicago together. I became a teacher. I completed my first year this past August. This year will be different though. I’ve had the world given to me by the kindness of strangers. And with your help I aim to give some back. So this year I am bartending and serving and spending my time preparing for the journey of my life. I would have to say that I am incredibly excited for what the future holds.

Why BLOG? Whyyyy…?

So now that I have introduced our backdrop for this story, non-fiction of course. Let me be direct about the reasons for this blog and then move on to introduce our main characters.

Quite succinctly, this blog will catalogue our quest to raise money and increase exposure for Action Against Hunger. It will follow us as we prepare for a 1500+ mile (2400+ km) hike along an ancient pilgrims route from Rome, Italy to Compostela de Santiago, Spain. Beginning in May of 2009, this blog will then chapter our journey through three countries (Italy, France, and Spain) as we complete our battle against hunger. Finally this blog serves as a way for those who are interested, and those who have contributed to our challenge and to Action Against Hunger, to see what is going on behind the scenes and to realize the difference that they (YOU) have made!

Tomorrow’s character introduction is…ME! Played by Scott Zielke.

This Magic Moment…

I think that the rivers of the world can be compared to the nerves of the body. Physically speaking they both have many small beginnings. These beginnings eventually become organized to travel a common path. And more often than not they spread back out again to affect many different areas, in many different ways.

Like a river, or a nerve cell, this blog is one of many different beginnings that will converge into an expedition; from Rome, Italy to Compostela de Santiago, Spain.

From Rome to Compostela de Santiago

This expedition will carry information and nourishment on a particular course, until it reaches its finish. Once there it will again branch out and spread all that it has carried along the way so that it too can affect many different areas in many different ways.

So what will this path carry? It will carry money to help the hungry. It will bring with it attention directed at Action Against Hunger, which is the charity we all will be giving to. But what else will be swept into this current? There will be hard work, and endless days.  There will be cold nights with no shelter accompanied with anxiety, and fear.  But there will also be a mastery of that fear, a passing to that anxiety, and the opportunity to do some good; an opportunity to make a positive difference in some strangers life. It is my deepest anticipation that this river flows with love for humanity, a desire to share, and the energy of those who give freely.

Like a river, or a nerve cell, this blog is one of many different beginnings that will converge into an expedition; from this magic moment… forward.