It now appears that I will have a companion on the walk. Alan Bouquet, of Ilford, East London, has just been approved for an extended visa, and will be joining the walk.
I first met Alan thru a posting he placed on the Internet, expressing his desire to walk across America. With only limited knowledge of the USA, he was hesitant to do it alone, and was having problems finding someone to walk with him. I sent him an email several months back telling him of my plans, we've been talking since, and things have just worked out. In June, my daughter Susan and her family, who currently live in London, had an opportunity to meet Alan, learn more about him, and answer any questions he had about me and the states.
Alan is a 24 yr old graduate student in Environmental Science with a Master's in Climate Change......which he will see plenty of before this walk is over! Interestly enuf, one of Alan's professors is one of the people in the recent "climategate" controvery around global warming. (he was later cleared of any mis-doings.) With the job market in London being somewhat as it is in the states, and no job prospects in sight, Alan decided to have an adventure before resuming his search......hoping the job market would be improved by the time he returned home.
Alan's favorite sport is cricket, and he likes American baseball. His version of football is played without pads and with a round ball......which can't be touched by the hands. He has some experience with hiking/camping, but nothing of this magnitude. He likes American folk music. His travels to date have been limited, but he lives in a very diverse part of London, so is exposed almost daily to people from many countries and cultures.
I first met Alan thru a posting he placed on the Internet, expressing his desire to walk across America. With only limited knowledge of the USA, he was hesitant to do it alone, and was having problems finding someone to walk with him. I sent him an email several months back telling him of my plans, we've been talking since, and things have just worked out. In June, my daughter Susan and her family, who currently live in London, had an opportunity to meet Alan, learn more about him, and answer any questions he had about me and the states.
Alan is a 24 yr old graduate student in Environmental Science with a Master's in Climate Change......which he will see plenty of before this walk is over! Interestly enuf, one of Alan's professors is one of the people in the recent "climategate" controvery around global warming. (he was later cleared of any mis-doings.) With the job market in London being somewhat as it is in the states, and no job prospects in sight, Alan decided to have an adventure before resuming his search......hoping the job market would be improved by the time he returned home.
Alan's favorite sport is cricket, and he likes American baseball. His version of football is played without pads and with a round ball......which can't be touched by the hands. He has some experience with hiking/camping, but nothing of this magnitude. He likes American folk music. His travels to date have been limited, but he lives in a very diverse part of London, so is exposed almost daily to people from many countries and cultures.
Answering some of Alan's questions and concerns about the trip has been interesting......he can't understand about Americans love affair with guns, the wide range of climate changes we will face on the walk, and some other perceptions created by all the communication we have nowadays.
I don't expect this walk to have a profound impact on the remainder of my life......it'll create some memories for my family and me, give me something to tell "fish tales" about for years to come, possibly make me a little healthier, and occupy 6-8 months of my retired life.
But for a young guy like Alan, it can be a life changing event. It could provide him the confidence and courage to face anything that confronts him in the future. And, what a talking point to put on a resume cover letter. I think it will catch some employer's eye.
Welcome aboard, Alan, maybe we can do your country next time.
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