Want to make a New Year’s resolution to walk around the Mediterranean Sea? Or commence your own hiking project on the Appalachian or Pacific Coast Trail? Or maybe just walk a few miles a day around the hood?
Here are Twelve Commonsense Tips for Mindful MedTrekking from “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean” that will get you going in the right direction and enable you to have a pleasant and unencumbered stroll by keeping it simple:
“Twelve Commonsense Tips for Mindful MedTrekking” appeared in “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean.”
1. Adequately prepare and train to avoid, or lessen, aches, pains and injuries.
Take local walks before you set off on the longer path.(Credit: Liz Chapin)
2. There’s no hurry. Start slowly and walk at the speed of the slowest member of your party. For the record, I walk an average of 33 kilometers a day.
3. It’s very difficult to get lost if you stay as close as possible to the sea. It will always be on your left or right.
The Mediterranean Sea is always on your right (or left).
4. Practice walking meditation, pick up litter, smile at strangers, don’t argue (too much) with security officials and walk on behalf of all sentient beings.
Walking meditation. (Credit: Liz Chapin)
5. Fresh water is the most important item in your backpack. Don’t worry, the load will get lighter after you over pack on the first few days out. You are what you carry.
Don’t forget water.
6. Many things beyond your control – weather, logistics, illness, injury, topography, and security officials – come with the territory. Accept that and don’t worry about time.
Weather, like this tornado on the Mediterranean Sea off Turkey, is beyond your control.
The remaining six of the Twelve Commonsense Tips For Mindful MedTrekking will appear here next week (December 16, 2014).
The remaining Six Commonsense Tips for Mindful MedTrekking will appear next week.
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