A Book

To do 35000 km. in 202 days, I'll have to do 173.27 km. every day. On a good road, this means two hours driving every day, on a bad one, some more. Two hours driving leavs me with a lot of time to do other things, like being a tourist, hanging around with people, and also reading. There is one book I'd like to read every day. This book is the bible. I'd like to read the bible from end to end, and hope to accomplish this durimg the trip. There are 1189 chapters in the bible, so I guess I'll have to read 5.89 ~ 6 chapters a day.

There is a simple reason for me, wishing to read the bible. The message of the bible is very clear at one point:

"37 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."
Matt 22. 37-39

To keep the right focus, and meet people the way I'd like to (see post "A Vision") I'll need help from above- the place all love comes from. John Frusciante has a very beautiful song on his brilliant record, "the Emphyrian", that goes as follows:

"Whatever you create from love
is a gift from a plae which some call above
There's only the forces of hate and love
one breaks things down and one builds them up"
John Frusciante, one more of me

I think the bible i a good book to read for everyone, Christian or not, and for me, Hans-CHRISTIAN, more than anyone...=)

Companions

Some days ago, I booked Tickets for the Ferry from Bergen to Hirtshals. I'll be leaving on the 2. of September, in less than three weeks. Time is going fast now, and I thought it to be time to present my companions.

"Team Namibia", Roger, me, Ole-Martin and Trygve

My good friend Roger was the first (and only yet) to buy tickets. He will be meeting me in Addis-Ababa in early January, and will join me all the way to Malawi. I look a lot forward to this, since I have traveled with Roger before (notably in Namibia last fall), and know how relaxing and inspiring it is to travel with him.

My father will also be joining me for some time. Most likely on the road from Khartoum (Sudan) to Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia), and in South-Africa. I value his knowledge and Experience, and hope that we will have two nice periods together on the road. Mparany, my brother in law, might also show up in South-Africa with Markus, his little son.

Except for this, little is sure. I think and hope that Ole-Martin and Trygve (both from "team Namibia") will find time and money to  visit me. The Mediterranean coast is beautiful and rather cheap to visit, so I hope to see at least one of them there.

Jørgen Haaland will do what he can, to Visit me and Roger in Uganda, if the crazy polish professors manage to make some kind of plan for the semester brakes in February.

Andreas Sørås is also eager to take part, but I'm not sure where and when. Last time we talked, he wanted to do Syria and parts of Jordan with me. This would make me very happy, because Andreas is a good man, and because Syria is a little scary alone.

As you can see, there is still a lot of space in the car. If you are eager to meet me somewhere, leave a comment, or write me an e-mail, and I'll see what I can do. I'm looking forward to my solitude, but some company will surely make me happy.

A vision

I am often asked: "why are you doing this trip? Is it only for fun?", and answering these questions is difficult. For an adventurer there are always several reasons for going on adventures, and one is surely the pleasure he gets from doing what he likes. This is not a very honorable reason though, considering that many of the people asking (especially when on the road) are poor. It's like saying: "I blow thousands(of some money) out of my exhaust to please myself". What should I answer than? Are there more honorable reasons for my money-spending and driving in an unenvironmental car for thousands of kilometers?

Taking pictures will play a big part of my everyday life on
the road. This motif is from Awasa in Ethiopia.

 For me personally there are several reasons for going on this trip. One is of course to get the car to Madagascar, but considering the money it costs to get it there, one could easily buy a better car in Madagascar for the same money. One other is surely my desire to see the world, take great picture etc., but I hope that there is something more. I hope my trip can be something not only for myself, but something for the people I meet alongside the road as well.


I have a vision that I can create a positive energy around me. That I can be a blessing to the people I meet. Making a difference in there lives by talking to them, helping them along or exchanging gifts with them. I don't believe in giving people money for "no particulare reason". Not that the people don't need any money, but if you have been in (tourist)-Africa, you will know why. I believe in helping people in a more practical way. Spend some time with people, giving them a hand or lending them a tool for some reparation. Giving them a ride, or giving them money for a service they do me, like letting me camp in there town and eating at there table or joining me on difficult roads as guides.I haven't been to good at this on earlier trips, but hope to improve.

Hopefully I will meet some kids like this one.
Picture taken in Ambovombe-Androy in Madagascar.

In the end I will be doing this for me, with my money and my time, so it's not that different from everyday life really. I try to bring blessing to the people around me every day, but when I'm on the road I might get the opportunity to do it more than usual. I will meet much more people than I do when sitting in my study, and I will meet people in need. I hope (and think) that my time-schedule gives me time to see people and help them as good as I can, and if I really end up with a Defender, I guess there will be enough not chosen breaks as well =).