E&M: And what about your fellow walkers? What motivated them?
SdG: As far as I know, I think that they have quite similar motivations to me. Some of those who joined us from the first group to set off mentioned that many people in that group really were walking for peace and to remember the war, but it's a bit different with us. I came to the group together with three other 'young' people: two girls from Spain, aged 23 and 24 years old, and one from Belgium who's 21. We were expecting to meet more people of our age, but unfortunately the others are all over 40. This doesn't make the trip any less interesting, though; we've learnt a lot from them and they are really friendly.
E&M: Is the First World War present as a topic of conversation while you're walking?
SdG: We hardly ever talk about the war during our trip, but maybe it's different in the other groups. Up until now I've never talked about it for more than 20 minutes in total with any of the others. Instead, people usually tell stories about things they experienced on other walks, or we simply share the particularities of our own countries. We don't talk all day though; during the more difficult moments we often just walk in a row and keep silent. That offers us lots of time to meditate and think about life.
E&M: What did you hope to achieve by taking part? Do you really think that walking 550km will make any difference to pan-European relations?
SdG: Oh, I think this walk can change the relations between Europeans. Taking in part in such a hard adventure for more than 20 days with other people creates connections that you cannot forget. This walk and, I think, all the others of its type (for example the Camino Peace Pilgrimage in Spain) bring European people together with a shared goal and create really strong links and an understanding of each other. It is a really good experience.
E&M: What were you most looking forward to about the journey before you started?
SdG: I was actually really looking forward to meeting many people of my age from different European countries... So I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in the beginning. But now I see this trip differently: we are a group and we all want to finish the walk together; it's a kind of like a big family and everybody helps each other. My second expectation was being able to overcome myself and the challenge of covering 550km by foot. This one is still far from accomplished, but I'm starting to truly believe in it.
E&M: What has most surprised you so far?
SdG: I have been really surprised by the courage and the perseverance of the older people (some of whom are over 60), who never thought they'd be able to walk so far each day, but also by the wonderful welcomes we've received from local people when we arrive at our final destination of the day. They are always really enthusiastic and all devoted to us, it's amazing.
E&M: Would you want to repeat the experience?
SdG: I'll try to finish this first walk in one piece before starting to think about another! But yes, I think that in the future I'll participate again in events like this – I find the experience really enriching.
E&M: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Simon, and all the best for the coming days.
