When on the last trip to London, we, obviously, ventured to a bookshop which I couldn’t leave without any treasures. These days I am all into travel, and adventure stories, especially if they are told by women. (Not) Surprisingly, the majority of the adventure travel stories that you get to read (or watch for that matter) are boy stories. So, I take – or sometimes I am pushed by a very handsome husband – every opportunity to explore women adventurers and their experiences out there. So. Going back to The Life Cycle… It was pitched as an 8000-mile cycling adventure through the Andes on a bamboo bike. If I am honest, I didn’t expect much. I thought it would hippy celebration on cycling and maybe a bit of commentary about nature, our impact on it, and the challenges of today’s life. And yet it was nothing like. Or a bit of that but also so much more.

It is genuinely the best book that I read this year. Or maybe even the best book that I read in a while. It was incredibly inspiring and thought-provoking with every page. It challenged my views on the environment and my relationship with the planet while still telling stories of brilliant and daring activists who are caring for the planet while the rest of us close our eyes and hope for the best. It made me long for the freedom, space, and unexpectedness of traveling. And it inspired me – the determination and continuous move forward that Kate had… And the fact that she was 54 at the time is even more impressive – I don’t know if I could do what she did at my (significantly) younger age. In a nutshell, the book was pure magic.

The Challenge Within

When going on a journey and writing the book, Kate Rawles wanted to draw attention to the environment, the changes that we are pushing on the planet, and the need for care and love that should be given not only to ourselves but also to her – Mother Earth. She told stories of conservation projects across South America, brave people who are fighting against governments, putting their lives in danger to protect what is the most important – the soil that we walk on and waters that we drink while I sat reading it in my spacious house with plenty of things that I didn’t necessarily need but wanted. I like my gadgets and have few of them and yet there are waters poisoned by the copper mines needed for that gadget (or a fancy electric car that no needs or can afford).

As she told the stories not only about the big impact but also about the daily lives of local communities and indigenous tribes. For some reason that made it feel more real, more touching. A turtle school in Colombia, a congressman who magically survived a fight against mining company when so many people died, a cloud forest conservationist who went into hiding because the US government pressured the local government to make him “disappear” as he was hurting American business, 25-year-old who came back to the region to build eco-campsite and the first one in the area from recycled materials. All of them did it, not only because nature mattered but also because communities mattered.

For them, wealth is not continuously growing and getting more zeros in a bank account. While you need some of that, you don’t need an infinite amount of it. The author and the people that she spoke with believe that wealth is relationships, saved species, possible futures of the children. It’s not more money in the bank account but the soles of your feet gently touching the grass, a warm hug from your kids, partners, or parents. The book challenges to question and ask ourselves if you really need a new [insert your item of choice] to make you happier? Do we really need to define success as continuous growth and profits? And when is it enough? Are we willing to obliterate or accept the obliteration of the earth and other life that’s not human so that we can work longer, have more things, or have bigger houses? These and so many more questions were left spinning in my head when reading the book. And the realization that it is time for me to change. My behavior and attitude need to change, all of ours. Because I want this place to exist in 50 years as well as in 150 years. Rich people and countries need to focus less on riches and nature more. And I am one of those people that needs to change.

The Freedom Waiting

Part of that change is getting back to nature and in a way getting back to me. Kate’s camping adventures and genuine awe of the place surrounding her along the way reminded and made me long for the vastness that is outside. Every night camping and her descriptions of mornings afterward reminded me why I love camping – you are immediately outside and ready to explore and experience. It also reminded me how afraid of nature I am. As Kate was cycling through the Andes and exploring the forests that are waiting there, she was excited to see little birds, monkeys and even pumas. When I am outside and hear odd sounds, the only thing that I can think of is how shit scared I am.

I guess this is what happens when you grow up in concrete jungles – you forget the sound of outside and you lose connection with it. I want to connect to nature and maybe a bit to myself. All that need for things and status makes you lose that child within you. I want that. I also want to learn, collect stories, and maybe discover more about myself. I think I want a different way of traveling – I want to become a traveler instead of a tourist. I want to be more like Kate – when you leave a hostel with hugs and sorrowful goodbyes instead of rushing out and hurrying to the next destination.

The Inspiration

The search for connection and conversation, the determination, the bravery that Kate has… all of the things that I wished I had. She is really an inspiration and my goal for when I am in my 50s. She decided to cycle alone across the continent, throughout the countries that are famous these days for drug trafficking and quite a few other dangers along the way. And yet she did it. I think she mentioned a couple of times that if she listened to all the warnings, she would have stayed at home. But she didn’t. In 6 months she managed to cross the continent and reached her destination in time; maybe with few mishaps, definitely exhausted but safe and sound. There were moments when she cried, when she questioned her decision. And yet she went on her bike and kept on pushing (sometimes literally!). She kept on pushing because her mission and her journey were more important than the frustration and exhaustion that was in front. Along the way, she managed to find friends, asking for help and constantly seeking connection. I wished I had that in me.

I know I can find strength and determination in me but finding the social part or rather giving into that is a bit trickier. I wish I wasn’t afraid to reach out and ask – for a story, for help, for a moment – but that feels too vulnerable today. I hope I will grow up to be more like her. I hope I can be her one day.

---

And in the meantime, I will be seeking the inspiration and lessons in the books, revisiting thoughts from this one. And maybe planning a big adventure that I will go on one day. For now and for you, I do recommend reading this book, everyone can find something here and I will keep on exploring other adventure stories; I am currently going through Wild. I will keep you posted on any other interesting reads 😉