Reporter:
As you wrote in your blog about the journey, you started off to accomplish one of your long-time dreams, but did you expect to inspire so many people and end up with so many followers?
Robert:
Before I started walking, I had to make the choice of whether I should write my blog in Norwegian or English. Luckily I chose the latter. Then, I have been helped by very very generous Chinese friends to get the blog translated. I would particularly like to thank my two friends Helen and Sue in this respect.
My initial motivation was to share my adventure with friends I knew. But now I have lots of friends that I have never met, that have also followed me on the many thousands of kilometres along the Great Wall. I am always very grateful when they write words of encouragement to me, and it also seems that they draw a lot of encouragement and motivation from the walk that I have now successfully completed.
Reporter:
For others who are interested in walking the Great Wall, about how much did this journey cost?
Robert:
That depends a lot on a few things. If you are Chinese, you don't have to worry about the visa issue, and don't have to travel out of China so often. It also depends a lot on what sort of equipment you decide to use. Computer, camera, phone, tents etc. They can cost quite a lot. I estimate having used on average RMB 100 -> 150 per day, but then the equipment comes on the top of that. And my journey lasted for 600 days, so get out the calculator :-)
Reporter:
On your website, you listed a cancer institute as the major supporter. How was this walk related to the institute?
Robert:
Like many others, I have lost family and friends to cancer. I therefore want to support cancer research. I contacted the Dana Farber Institute wanting to ask people to support their cause once the walk was over. But they have a problem with their online payment system, and therefore I have not yet been able to set up a good and secure system for collecting the funds. The thought is that readers of the blog will give money to this Cancer charity to help them do research on cancer treatment that can be of use to the whole world.
Reporter:
What is your plan next? Have you thought of writing a book about this trip?
Robert:
YES - I will definitely write a book about this experience. I have taken very many pictures, and want them to be the backbone of the book as I believe it is a good way of learning more about China. Many people in Norway do not know that much about China, and I hope this book can help them get a better and deeper insight in to Chinese culture and life.
Reporter:
Last but not least, do you have anything to say to those who helped you to make this walk a reality, and those who supported you along the way?
Robert:
I have met so incredibly many very generous people that have helped me along the Great Wall. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart, because these are the memories that will stick in my mind for the longest. Also, by letting me get close to them, I have learnt more about China. Luckily, I have a lot of addresses and pictures, so now it should not be hard to go back to visit them, if I am close by them some other time in China. By then, my Chinese level is hopefully higher too!
Back home in Norway, I have had help from many people too. All of my family and my girlfriend have helped in a large variety of ways. It would have been a lot harder to have managed the walk without them for sure.
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