Hi, this is Alexandra
If you personally know me, you know that I have been following my heart’s calling since my early twenties despite cultural norms, deep fears, and many trials and tribulations.
My story has come to another peak.
After 20 years of living in the US, I am again moving continents, back to Germany. This is neither because of a certain insane president we have nor because I don’t like the US. My move is inspired by my soul’s calling to be alive.
I have come to realize that we are the creators of our lives. There is no one else doing it for us. I am the one taking action and making my life happen. And you are doing the same with yours. With every word you utter, with every choice you make, with every action you take.
My aim with this blog is to INSPIRE you to also be the creator of YOUR life. My hope is that by sharing my story, reflections and insights along the way you too are inspired to live your dream and follow your soul’s calling.
Be inspired!
My belief is that we are all souls having a human experience and it is our job to make the most of it on earth. To enjoy our time, to do good and be unapologetically ourselves.
Making ancient churches work in modern times
While in Europe you would be hard pressed to escape churches. And well, why would you? They are pretty beautiful to visit.
If a town is big enough you might even find a cathedral (mostly magnificent) or if the village is small you might have to content yourself with a chapel.
Walls dont separate, walls unite
At some point on my trip I was inspired to take pictures of … walls …. of all things.
Walls??
Walls!!
Trudging along, I was intrigued by all the different styles of walls I came across.
My challenge sheet as a modern day pilgrim
Now that I have arrived in Le Puy en Velay, France, which is one of the major junctions in my journey, I deem it interesting to take an account of the challenges I have endured during my over 2,000 km walk thus far.
Before reading on, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: what you would expect your three major challenges to be if you were to walk 2,000 km?
How to color in that conch shell?
Conch shells have been a symbol of pilgrimage to Santiago since medieval times. A pilgrim would gather the shells at the ocean as proof that he or she had succeeded in his/ her journey to Santiago.
Nowadays, pilgrims obtain such a shell before starting out on their journey. The shells are fastened to the backpack as proof that you are on a quest.
Wild mountain crossing
Yesterday I crossed the crux of the le Puy route in France, Mount Aubrac.
The mountain at 1,300 m isn’t really that high but multiple people had warned me days in advance about its wild nature.
It was wild.
It was alivening.
Having an experience without leaving your couch
Today, I walked towards the crux of the Chemin de le puy in France. Aubrac.
Pilgrims I met that are traveling southward i.e. the opposite direction of me informed me of the presence of 50 cm of new snow up ahead on mount Aubrac.
Luckily, they laid first tracks. …
Stepping into medieval times
Conques, France, is a jewel. It allows one to step back in history.
The combination of medieval houses and absence of suburban sprawl made my jaw drop in aw.
Tenacity
It’s been terribly wet and windy. And it’s not just a drizzle of wet but torrential rains.
The temperatures are dropping too which makes being wet not exactly fun. As soon as I stop, my body turns to a shivering ice block. (Weird analogy 😀)
Meeting the Elements: the Mount Everest trail for the average Sue
It is November; and the depth of fall has clearly arrived. It should come to no surprise that wind, heavy rains, and cool temperatures await me as I start on my walk every morning.
The paths which primarily lead through forests and open fields have turned into a muddy mess and I need to navigate numerous tiny streams happily meandering where I am meant to walk.